Education Specialist Teaching Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Level I

The program prepares candidates to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in self-contained special education and general education classrooms. The program specifically prepares candidates for the diversity of languages and cultures often encountered in California’s public school classrooms. The program prepares candidates to address the needs of students who speak English as a native language and/or as a second language in the elementary or secondary school setting. An underlying principle of the program is the belief that all children (regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, ability or economic status) are capable of learning. Emphasis is placed on the K- Age 22 student actively engaged in his/her learning.

This is a post baccalaureate program that has two levels. Level I  prepares candidates for a Preliminary Credential. After the Level I credential is issued, Level II program is completed while working in a special education setting and requires the collaboration of the university preparation program and the candidate’s employing school district. Successful completion of the Level II program will result in the candidate’s eligibility for a Professional Level II Credential. Two years of successful teaching experience in a special education teaching assignment, while holding the Level I Credential, is also required for Level II completion. The Level II program must be completed within five years of completion of Level I.

Careers

The Education Specialist Program prepares candidates to complete the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards for the preparation of teachers of students with mild and moderate disabilities from Kindergarten to age 22.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students prepared to teach children with mild to moderate disabilities from kindergarten to age 21
• Students prepared to teach in self-contained special and general education
• Students prepared to teach children with English as first or second language
• Students prepared for diversity of languages and cultures in and among children and families
• Students can meet the diverse needs of all students and those with special needs

Prerequisite Courses in Education (12 units)

If taken at CSU Channel Islands, the course must be completed within seven (7) years prior to beginning the program with a grade of “C” or better. If an equivalent course at another college or university has been taken, it must have been completed within five (5) years prior to beginning the program.

Students have multiple options for completing prerequisites. Courses may be taken at the undergraduate level leading to a CSUCI Bachelor’s degree. Students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree may be admitted to Prerequisite Education status. Applications for Prerequisite Education status are also accepted during the final term of Bachelor’s degree completion. Financial Aid may be available to admitted Prerequisite students who are otherwise eligible, for up to one year, to complete prerequisite courses. Prospective students also have the option to take prerequisite courses through Extended Education (Open University) on a space available basis. Tuition is self-funded.

ENGL 475 Language in Social Context (3)
EDUC 510 Learning theory and development applied in multicultural education contexts (3)
EDUC 512 Equity, Diversity and Foundations of Schooling (3)
SPED 345 Individuals with Disabilities in Society (3)

Requirements for the Education Specialist Level I Teaching Credential (38 units):

First Semester (17 units)
EDMS 522 Literacy I Multicultural/Multilingual (4)
EDMS 526 Modern Methods in Mathematics Teaching (4)
SPED 541 Foundations of Special Education (2)
SPED 544 Inclusionary Teaching Methods (2)
SPED 546 Consultation and Communication with Families and Professionals (3)
SPED 570 Student teaching in Special Education I (3)
SPED 571 Student Teaching Seminar (1)

Second Semester (21 units)
EDSS 540 Literacy in Secondary Schools (3)
SPED 542 Managing Learning Environments (3)
SPED 543 Educating Diverse Learners with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 545 Assessment of Students with Disabilities (3)
SPED 580 Student Teaching in Special Education II (8)
SPED 581 Student Teaching Seminar

Intern Program Education Specialist Level I Credential Program (37 units)

First Semester (11units)
EDMS 522 Literacy I: Multicultural/Multilingual (4)
SPED 541 Foundations of Special Education (2)
SPED 546 Consultation and Communication with families and professionals (3)
SPED 585 Intern Field Support and Seminar (3)

Second Semester (9 units)
EDSS 540 Literacy in Secondary Schools (3) 
SPED 542 Managing Learning Environments (3)
SPED 585 Intern Field Support and Seminar (3)

Third Semester (8 units)
SPED 544 Inclusionary Teaching Methods (2)
EDMS 526 Modern methods in mathematics teaching (4)
SPED 585 Intern Field Support and Seminar (3)

Fourth Semester (9 units)
SPED 543 Educating Diverse Learners with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 545 Assessment of Students with disabilities (3)
SPED 585 Intern Field Support and Seminar (3)

Please Note: The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) requires passing the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) for the initial issuance of an Education Specialist Credential, unless the candidate holds a previously issued Multiple or Single Subject Credential. RICA consists of passing one of two components, either a comprehensive examination or a performance assessment. It is recommended that the Assessment be taken after completion of the Literacy I course in the credential program.

Program Maintenance Requirements

As a condition of remaining in the program, students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better, with no course grades lower than a C+.