Education Specialist in Special Education: Mild/Moderate Disabilities Credential

(Credential Code: 00468)

Also Offered at SDSU Imperial Valley

SDSU Imperial Valley offers the following Education Specialist Credential in Special Education authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Mild/Moderate Disabilities. This credential authorizes the holders to teach students with designated disabilities in a variety of settings. This credential requires completion of Preliminary Education Specialist requirements followed by completion of the Clear Professional Induction Specialist requirements within five years of employment in an authorized setting. Once admitted, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and must successfully complete all practicum experiences. Only grades of C (2.0) or better will count toward a degree, a credential, or a certificate.

Standards for Admission

Recommendation for this credential requires:

1. A baccalaureate or higher degree.
2. Completion of an approved program of professional education, including student teaching and coursework in reading methods with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
3. Basic skills competency as demonstrated through passing scores on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) with writing component or other CT Basic skills competency as demonstrated through passing scores on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) with writing component or other CTC approved Basic Skills Examinations.
4. Demonstrated subject matter competency by passing the Multiple Subjects examination of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). Must have scores taken within five years prior to recommendation.
5. Successful completion of the Teacher Performance Assessment.
6. Passing scores on the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
7. Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and provisions of the United States Constitution through successful completion of a three-unit collegiate level course. Courses are listed in the section of this bulletin on “Graduation Requirements ,” IV. American Institutions Requirement.
8. Knowledge of health education, including substance abuse and nutrition: TE 280 , “Health Education for Teachers,” or other CTC approved course in health taken at a regionally accredited college or university.
9. Demonstrated knowledge of the needs of and methods of providing educational opportunities to individuals with exceptional needs (mainstreaming): SPED 500 .
10. Demonstrated knowledge of computer hardware, software, and applications to educational/classroom use (computer literacy): LDT 470  or SPED 560 .
11. Verify current training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and certification exceptional needs: SPED 500 .
12. Courses completed for a credential program expire after seven years and must be retaken to meet program requirements. In those cases in which a student is required to repeat a course taken more than seven years earlier, only the last grade will be used in computation of grade point averages. Approved leaves of absence do not count toward these time limits.

Candidates for the Education Specialist Credential in Special Education: Mild/Moderate Disabilities must satisfy the standards for admission and 1-6 below and submit complete application packets to the Division of Education within designated application periods. Information about applications for Program Admission is available from the Division of Education.

Completed departmental application packets will include items verifying satisfaction of the following:

1. Basic Skills Examination. Students must take the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), or CSET plus Writing prior to admission to the Multiple Subject credential program, or provide appropriate verification of passing an approved outof-state basic skills examination. If students choose CBEST or CSET MS plus Writing, they must pass prior to admission to student teaching. Information may be obtained from the academic advisers. Candidates are urged to take this examination as early as possible. Candidates are required to submit a photocopy of the individual score reports. Effective January 1, 2009, individuals who achieve sufficient scores, as established by the California State University (CSU) system, on the following will satisfy the BSR for certification purposes.
   1. English and Mathematics sections CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP) or
   2. CSU English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) test.
2. Subject Matter Competency. Students must verify completion of subject matter competency for either the multiple subjects credential or for a single subjects credential. For multiple subjects, subject matter competency in diversified subjects commonly taught in self-contained classrooms may be verified through a) completion of the Liberal Studies major, Emphasis in Education or its equivalent at another California teacher-training institution and issuance of the Multiple Subject Credential based on same, or b) a passing score on the CSET: Multiple Subjects or Single Subjects Examination.
   
   For single subjects, subject matter competence may be verified through a) completion of coursework for an approved teaching major at SDSU or its equivalent at another California teacher training institution or b) a passing score on the appropriate CSET examination. Requirements for the various single subject majors are listed with the academic majors in the General Catalog.
   
   Registration information and materials for the CSET are available through the Division of Education. Test scores submitted for verification of subject matter competency are valid for five years from the date of the examination and must be valid at the time of recommendation for the credential.
    
3. Knowledge of health education in California, including substance and nutrition: TE 280 - Health Education for Teachers (1 unit) and verification of current CPR competency.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of computer hardware, software, and applications to educational/classroom use (computer literacy): Educational Technology 470. Students who complete their preliminary credential at SDSU will meet this requirement with SPED 560 .
5. Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and provisions of the United States Constitution through successful completion of a three-unit collegiate-level course or examination. Courses are listed in General Catalog section on “Graduation Requirements ,” IV. American Institutions Requirement.
6. Prerequisite Courses.
   1. SPED 500 , SPED 501 , SPED 502 , and courses applicable to the credential area selected from SPED 524  and SPED 525 .
   2. SPED 527  (or CLAD/Bilingual Authorization credential) and DLE 915A .
7. Grade Point Average. Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or better in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted. Candidates are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and unofficial SDSU transcripts for GPA calculation.
8. Tuberculosis Clearance. Evidence of a negative tuberculosis test (these tests are valid for four years and must be in effect during the time that candidates are enrolled in the credential program). Clearance statements may be secured from Health Services, private physicians or HMOs, or public health agencies.
9. California Certificate of Clearance. This certificate represents a background clearance and check conducted by the State Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Turnaround time for the clearance is usually about four to six weeks, unless additional information is requested by the CTC. Possessors of K-12 California credentials, provisional intern permits, short term staff permits, waivers issued by the CTC, or substitute permits may satisfy this requirement by submitting copies of those certificates. Candidates must submit the application directly to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing through the on-line application process. The CTC website is the official record of any clearance, credential, or permit issued.
10. Program Application. Applicants must complete the departmental application form indicating the Specialist Credential program to which they are applying.
11. Letters of Recommendation. Two letters of recommendation from people who know you well (not relatives), especially those who have knowledge of your work with children in school or related settings. These letters must attest to your aptitude and suitability for the teaching profession.
12. Candidate Statement. A candidate statement (500 word maximum) that addresses your background of experiences that have contributed to your desire to be a special education teacher as well as the personal and professional factors that you consider to be most important if one is to become an effective and caring special educator.
13. Further information on the candidate statement is available in the Division of Education.
14. Analytical Essay. On demand essay regarding some aspect of the field of education with the purpose of assessing candidates’ writing and critical thinking skills.
15. Oral Interview. An oral interview with a panel of Division of Education faculty with the purpose of assessing candidates’ proficiency in communication skills, and disposition related to diversity and the overall skills of the teaching and learning process.
16. Appeals Process. Candidates who do not meet all the admission requirements may petition the Admissions and Retention Committee for individual consideration; petition forms must be submitted concurrently with the application packets.