Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 General Catalog 
    
2022-2023 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Early Childhood Studies Integrated Teacher Education Program-Special Education


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There is a critical need for special education teachers in California and across the nation. With the Early Childhood Studies Integrated Teacher Education program in Special Education (ECS ITEP-SE), you have the opportunity to complete a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Studies and a credential in Special Education in one, intensive four-year program.

The ECS ITEP-SE program is offered by the Department of Early Childhood Studies and the Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education in the School of Education. The mission of the Early Childhood Studies department is to prepare knowledgeable and caring professionals who are committed to contributing to a just society through high-quality education and social services for all children and families. The mission of the Education Specialist credential programs is the advancement of excellence within the special education profession. Combined, these two departments offer you a strong foundation in developmental principles and the specific skills you need to support students with disabilities in achieving their goals.

Candidates in the ECS ITEP-SE concentration take all general education requirements and core courses in the ECS core curriculum. Students transferring from a community college with an AAT in Child Development will also be able to complete the degree and credential within four years. Students who change majors or transfer with a different major may still declare ECS ITEP-SE, but the program will take longer to complete.

During the Sophomore year, students interested in the ECS ITEP-SE must apply for admission to and meet all pre-requisites for the Preliminary Education Specialist Program. Credential courses are taken beginning in the Junior year.

Program Learning Outcomes


PLOs are from the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTPs) and the Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs) that all teacher preparation programs are expected to meet. “Student” refers to children grades PK-age 22.

TPE 1: Engaging and Supporting All Students in Learning

TPE 2: Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning

TPE 3: Understanding and Organizing Subject Matter for Student Learning

TPE 4: Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for All Students

TPE 5: Assessing Student Learning

TPE 6: Developing as a Professional Educator

Program Road Maps


Sample Four-Year Plan for Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Teacher Education Program in Special Education Concentration


Notes for ITEP-Education Specialist Concentration:

The Four year Plan is a sample study plan. The sequence and specific courses given are suggestive; please track your progress using the Academic Requirements Report (ARR) in your MySSU Account, and see an advisor each semester to plan your personal program.

We strongly recommend that you take a second-year experience course.  Some meet a GE area, or they can count as a university elective.  ECS students especially like EDEC 260, which is a university elective.

* We strongly recommend that you take EDEC 160A and EDEC 160B, the First-Year Learning Community (FLC) for Early Childhood Studies.  Other FLCs may be taken; please check your ARR and work with an advisor to determine how another FLC changes your progress in the General Education program.

†Lower Division GE Courses may be taken in any order.  However, the following two conditions must be met:  GE Areas A2 and B4 must be completed in the first year, and GE Areas A1 and A3 must be completed by the end of the second year.

‡Upper division GE courses may be taken in any order after you attain 45 units towards the degree. 

Transfer Students:

Work with an advisor to understand how your courses transfer into the major.  If you are missing lower division requirements in the major, make those a priority before enrolling in upper division major requirements.

Meet with the ITEP advisor during orientation so that you can apply to the Education Specialist credential program.

Freshman Year: 31 Units


Sophomore Year: 27 Units


Junior Year: 34 Units


Senior Year: 34 Units


Sample 2-Year Plan


This plan assumes transfer student completed an Associate Degree for Transfer in Early Childhood Education at a California Community College. If your community college program was different, you can still complete the ITEP-SE, but it will likely take additional time. Please consult with your advisor.

Total Units: 126


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