Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities

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A Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program is offered in the areas of mild/moderate (M/M) disabilities and moderate/severe (M/S) disabilities, authorizing the provision of services to individuals in grades K- age 22 in inclusion programs, resource specialist program (RSP) settings, special day class (SDC), and working with adults. The credential in M/M disabilities authorizes the teaching of individuals with specific learning disabilities, intellectual disability, other health impairment, autism, and serious emotional disturbance. The credential in M/S disabilities authorizes the teaching of individuals with autism, intellectual disability, deaf-blindness, serious emotional disturbance, and multiple disabilities.

A multiple subject or single subject credential is not required as a prerequisite for admission to a credential program in special education. The Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program in M/M disabilities and in M/S disabilities includes specified course work in multiple or single subject teacher education for those Education Specialist Credential candidates who do not hold a multiple subject or single subject credential.

Successful completion of the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program in mild/moderate disabilities or in moderate/severe disabilities will allow the candidate to receive a preliminary Certificate of Eligibility, which authorizes the individual to seek initial employment as a special educator. On securing a special education teaching position, the candidate is eligible to receive a Preliminary Credential that is valid for five years. The Preliminary Education Specialist Credential holder must clear the credential through Induction or BTSA.

Education Specialist Course Requirements

Corequisites (3 semester units):

EDSP 430 - Introduction to Special Education Unit(s): 3
(Required course for all E.S. candidates)

General Teacher Education Coursework (7 semester units):

EDMS 463 - Teaching Language and Literacy in the Elementary School Grades TK-2 Unit(s): 3-4 (3 Unit(s) Required) (includes a field work component)
EDSS 446 - Language and Literacy Development in Secondary Classrooms Unit(s): 4

Common Core For Education Specialists (15 semester units):

EDSP 421A - Effective Practices that Support Students with Diverse Learning Needs Unit(s): 3
EDSP 421B - Early Field Placement Unit(s): 1
EDSP 421C - Using Educational and Assistive Technology Unit(s): 1
EDSP 421D - Healthy Learners & School Environment Unit(s): 1
EDSP 422A - Case Management and Transition Planning in Special Education Unit(s): 3
EDSP 422B - Participant Observation/Fieldwork Unit(s): 1
EDSP 423 - Assessment of Students with Disabilities Unit(s): 3
EDSP 424 - Positive Behavior Supports for Students with Disabilities Unit(s): 3

Credential-Specific Curriculum (7-9 semester units):

Mild/Moderate Disabilities

EDSP 425 - Developing Academic Performance-Mild/Moderate Unit(s): 4
EDMS 474 - Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School Unit(s): 3-4 (3 Unit(s) Required)

Moderate/Severe Disabilities

EDSP 428 - Education of Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities Unit(s): 4
EDSP 426 - Communication Development: Assessment and Instruction Unit(s): 4

Student Teaching (13 semester units)**:

** Taking more than 5 additional units of coursework while enrolled in student teaching and the associated seminar requires prior approval of the department.

EDSP 460 - Teaching Event Seminar Unit(s): 2 (all candidates)
EDSP 465 - Practicum: Mild/Moderate Disabilities Unit(s): 11
EDSP 467 - Practicum: Moderate/Severe Disability Unit(s): 11