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Special Education Credential Programs

See Program Coordinator for details.

An internship performed under the supervision and with permission of the School Psychology faculty and the school district which hires the intern is required. In order to be recommended to a district as a possible intern, the student must have all program entry requirements and be approved by the School Psychology credential coordinator.

Special Education Credentials

The Education Specialist Credential Program prepares and recommends for certification special education teaching candidates in the CTC Education Specialist Credential categories of Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe. An Intern Option is also available in collaboration with certain school districts. Please consult with the Teacher Preparation Advising Center for further information.

Preliminary – Education Specialist Credential and Intern Option: Mild/Moderate Disabilities (code 468), Moderate/Severe Disabilities (code 469)

Clear Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities (code 468), Moderate/Severe Disabilities (code 469)

Preliminary - Education Specialist Credential Program: Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe

The Education Specialist Credential Program prepares candidates in the areas of Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe disabilities in a program approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The program is designed so that candidates may be certified in both areas of authorization if they complete the corresponding methods course and two separate field experiences, i.e., one with students with mild and moderate disabilities and one with students with moderate and severe disabilities. Upon admission to the program, candidates must identify an area of authorization and indicate whether their goal is to become certified in one or both areas. An Intern Option is also available in partnership with selected school districts. Candidates should consult an advisor in the College of Education Teacher Preparation Advising Center (TPAC) for further information. An Education Specialist Credential can also be earned in conjunction with the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP). Candidates should consult an advisor in the Liberal Studies Department for further information.

Application

Application for admission to the Education Specialist Credential Program (ESCP) should be made the semester before beginning the required courses. Students may apply to the program while taking prerequisite courses and may be admitted on a conditional basis pending their completion. Applications are available online at www.ced.csulb.edu/special-education. Applications should be submitted to the Teacher Preparation Advising Center.

Admission

1. Be admitted to the University as a post-baccalaureate (credential) student. (Note that application to the University is a separate process. Apply through www.csumentor.edu)

2. Submit an Education Specialist Credential Program application by the posted application deadline.

3. Attain a grade point average of at least 2.67 in all baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate course work or a grade point average of at least 2.75 in the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units completed.

4. Provide documentation of a structured field experience of at least 45 hours in a K-12 general education classroom setting.

5. Submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who are well acquainted with your educational training, relevant teaching, and other related experiences.

6. Submit a typed personal essay describing how your interest in special education began; the experiences, training and talents that you bring to the area of special education; your short-term and long-term career goals; and how the program's goals fit your personal goals.

7. Submit a negative tuberculosis skin test or chest X-ray taken within the last three years. (TB clearance must be valid through advanced field study (student teaching).)

8. Submit proof of having taken the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). You must have attempted all three parts of the CBEST. Passage of the CBEST is required before you begin your advanced field study (student teaching).

9. Pass an oral interview with program faculty.

10. Demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing English by (1) attaining a minimum passing score of 37 on each of the reading and writing portions of the CBEST exam; and/or (2) through demonstration of appropriate writing skills on your personal essay and oral communication skills in the interview with program faculty.

11. Demonstrate personal and professional character traits that satisfy the standards of the teaching profession and display a suitable aptitude for teaching students with special needs in public schools through the application documentation and interview with program faculty. (Candidates must continue to demonstrate appropriate personal and professional character traits through completion of the program.)

12. Submit an application for a Certificate of Clearance to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) or provide evidence of recent fingerprint clearance. Submit a copy of the Certificate as demonstration of clearance or a copy of a certified mail receipt as demonstration of submitting an application.

13. Submit proof of having demonstrated subject matter competence by passing all three sub-tests of the California Subject Exam for Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET: Multiple Subjects) or the appropriate single subject CSET exam in Math, Science, or Language Arts to meet the highly qualified teacher mandate. See the program advisor for more information.

Applicants will be informed by email of the decision of the program faculty regarding acceptance into the program. Upon acceptance, the candidate is required to meet with an assigned program faculty for advisement and may begin taking Preliminary program coursework in the advised sequence.

Application and Admission to the Intern Option

Interns are teachers of record employed by a local school district who earn their credential concurrent with meeting their classroom teaching responsibilities. Prior to applying for the Education Specialist Intern Program (ESIP), applicants must be admitted to the Education Specialist Program (see above).
In addition, Education Specialist Intern Program candidates must:

1. Be employed by a collaborating school district in a qualifying special education classroom or setting.

2. Submit an application for an intern credential (CTC Application 41-4) to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing through the college Credential Center.

3. Maintain continuous university matriculation for the duration of the internship.

4. Submit proof of passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).

5. Meet the U.S. Constitution requirement (through POSC 100 or 391 or equivalent course at another institution or by exam).

6. Submit a valid Certificate of Clearance (fingerprint background check).

7. Complete all Education Specialist Program prerequisites.

8. Submit one copy of official sealed transcripts from all universities/colleges attended indicating a grade point average of at least 2.67 in all baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate course work or a grade point average of at least 2.75 in the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units completed.

Requirements for the ESCP and ESIP

To be considered for full admission in the ESCP and ESIP programs, candidates must complete all prerequisite courses (13 units):

Take one of the following:

  • EDP 301, EDP 302, HDEV 307, PSY 361

Take all of the following:

  • EDSP 350 Introduction to Teaching the Exceptional Individual (3)
    Prerequisites: None.
  • EDSP 454 Supporting the Academic and Language Development of English Learners (3)
    Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor.
  • EDP 405 Positive Strategies for Classroom Management (3)
    Prerequisites: None.
  • ETEC 110 Introduction to Computers as Tools (1)
    Prerequisites: None.

Fully admitted candidates complete core courses (33 units)

Take all of the following:

  • EDSP 480 Foundations of Inclusive Education in a Diverse Society: Philosophical and Historical Perspectives and Legal Mandates (3)
    Prerequisites: Admission to Education Specialist Credential Program.
  • EDSP 534 Collaboration and Transition in Special Education (3)
    Prerequisites: Full admittance to Education Specialist Credential Program or ITEP.
  • EDSP 564 Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Disabilities (3)
    Prerequisites: Admission to the Education Specialist Credential Program or consent of instructor.
  • EDP 560 Functional Behavior Assessment and Positive Behavior Support (3)
    Prerequisites: EDP 405.
  • EDEL 462 Teaching and Learning Mathematics, K-8 (3)
    Prerequisites: Admission to the Multiple Subject Credential Program.

Take one of the following:

  • EDEL 452, EDSE 457

Take one of the following:

  • EDSP 577, EDSP 578

Core courses include the advanced fieldwork courses:

Take one of the following pairs of courses:

  • EDSP 587A and EDSP 587B

or

  • EDSP 588A and EDSP 588B

Candidates for dual authorization must complete the methods course and 6 units of student teaching in the second authorization.

The candidate's overall grade point average must continue to meet the program admission standard. A 3.0 grade point average in the core courses is required to advance to fieldwork (student teaching).
Candidates in the ESIP program must identify and work closely with a site-based support team comprised of their site-support coach, principal, and other school and district support personnel throughout the program.

Advanced Fieldwork (Student Teaching) Requirements for the ESCP and ESIP

The final phase of the ESCP and ESIP programs is advanced fieldwork (student teaching). Candidates are required to student teach for 4 days a week for the length of the semesters that they are enrolled in advanced field study courses. ESCP candidates student teach as a traditional student teacher under the direction of a master teacher. ESIP candidates use their own K-12 special education classroom setting in which they are the teacher of record as their advanced fieldwork placement.

A separate application is required for advanced fieldwork (student teaching). Applications for advanced fieldwork must be submitted by the posted deadlines during the semester prior to which the candidate wishes to student teach. Application packets are distributed at program Fieldwork Information meetings, which are announced in program courses and posted on the program website. Upon notification of acceptance to advanced field study, candidates register for Advanced Field Study: EDSP 587 A & B or EDSP 588 A & B.

To be eligible for advanced fieldwork (student teaching), candidates must:

1. Pass CBEST.

2. Complete all program prerequisite and core courses with a 3.0 grade point average.

3. Have on file a negative tuberculosis skin test or chest X-ray valid through completion of student teaching.

4. Meet the U.S. Constitution requirement (through POSC 100 or POSC 391 or equivalent course at another institution or by exam).

5. Submit proof of character clearance (fingerprint background check).

6. Submit a student teaching application by the appropriate deadline: November 1 for spring student teaching; April 1 for fall student teaching.

Applying for the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential

To be eligible for the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential, candidates must successfully meet all program requirements, including passing student teaching. They must also pass the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA). Candidates may take the RICA at any time prior to applying for the credential. RICA information booklets are available in the Teacher Preparation Advising Center (ED1-67). Candidates apply for the credential through the college Credential Center.

Petition Process

Appeals to program decisions or requests for policy waivers are made by filing a written appeal to the program appeals committee. The committee reviews the written statement and supporting evidence. After the review, the committee renders its final decision. Examples of petitionable policies are: the minimum grade point average required for program admission, waiving the deadline for submission of a test score, waiving an application deadline, completing all program courses prior to student teaching, readmission to student teaching, and course equivalencies. Consult the program coordinator for items not listed here. Students follow university procedures (available elsewhere in this Catalog) to appeal a course final grade.

Clear Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe

Candidates who have completed their Education Specialist Preliminary credential can earn the Education Specialist Clear Credential at CSU Long Beach. The advanced Clear Credential program prepares candidates to meet the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional learning needs of all students with disabilities from birth-22 under IDEA categories. Candidates must earn the Clear credential within 5 years of completing the Education Specialist Preliminary credential.


Candidates can earn their Clear credentials in the following areas:

  • Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Professional Clear Credential
  • Education Specialist Moderate/Severe Professional Clear Credential

These two professional Clear credentials align with our Preliminary Credential Program at CSULB that offers both the mild/moderate and moderate/severe Preliminary credentials.


Graduates may concurrently enroll in the Master of Science in Special Education Degree program at CSULB. The Master of Science in Special Education Degree program develops advanced knowledge and skills in current research in special education, and promotes reflective inquiry in special education practice. Candidates receive multiple opportunities to develop critical thinking and writing skills through coursework and the culminating capstone experience i.e., either a comprehensive exam or a thesis.

Application to the Program

Candidates must apply separately to both the university and the program by posted deadlines. Applications should be submitted at the same time. The application for Graduate Admission to the University is available online through CSU Mentor (www.csumentor.edu). One complete set of official transcripts must be submitted with the university application. This set of transcripts will be used to determine grade point average eligibility. Failure to submit transcripts in a timely manner will result in a delayed review of the application.
A separate application to the School Psychology program must be submitted to the College of Education Graduate Studies Office (EED-7). An application and directions can be downloaded from the College of Education website (www.ced.csulb.edu/graduate/application-packets). The program application does not require a set of transcripts. After an initial paper screening, select applicants are invited for an interview with program faculty.

Prerequisite Conditions and Requirements

1. Admission to the University.
2. Minimum 2.85 overall grade point average in last degree (not credential or certificate) earned from an accredited institution of higher education. Applicants whose overall GPA is less than 2.85 but meet the University minimum GPA requirement and who present compelling evidence of academic and professional potential either through recent academic performance and/or experiential background, may be considered for admission at the discretion of the program admission committee.
3. Completion of Preliminary/Level I Credential or Certificate of Eligibility.
4. CPR certification.
5. Two letters of recommendation (from employer and a university faculty member at previous institution).
6. Interview with program faculty.
7. Attendance at an on-campus program orientation.
Upon acceptance to the program, candidates will attend a mandatory orientation meeting at which time they will complete an Individualized Induction Plan (IIP) with the Clear Credential program coordinator. This program planner will assist candidates in taking courses in an appropriate sequence.

Credential Activities

Candidates will complete supervised observations with a university faculty member. Candidates will develop a portfolio, which includes observation logs, lesson plans, and reflections.

Coursework

The Clear credential requires 12-units of upper division and graduate courses that must be taken at the 500/600-level taken at CSULB. Credential requirements include the following courses:


Foundation Courses (6 units):
  • EDSP 546A Practicum in Special Education (2 units)
  • EDSP 546B Practicum in Special Education (1 units)
  • EDSP 550 Emerging Perspectives in Special Education (3 units)
    Specialization Courses (6 units, select any 2 of the following courses)
  • EDSP 535 Collaborative Partnerships and Effective Communication in School Settings (3 units)
  • EDSP 525 Advocacy and the Educational Context of Disability (3 units).
  • EDSP 582 Research in Special Education: Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction (3 units)
  • EDSP 577 Instructional Methods and Strategies for Individuals with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3 units).
  • EDSP 578 Instructional Methods and Strategies for Individuals with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3 units)


Advanced Studies in Education and Counseling

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