CSUCHICO Scholarship : Level I Education Specialist Credential Program
The Level I Education Specialist Credential Program
Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities
Program Description
The Preliminary Education Specialist Level I (Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe) Credential Program prepares future teachers to serve children, youth, and adults who have special learning or emotional needs. The Education Specialist credential may be used in K-12 resource rooms, special day classes, or alternative settings.
Education specialists function in public schools or private settings as instructors and as consultants to teachers and families. As a student teacher, you may choose to pursue either:
The Level I Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities, which authorizes teachers to instruct individuals in grades K-12 and adults who have specific learning disabilities, mild/moderate mental retardation, other health impairments, and/or serious emotional disturbance.
The Level I Education Specialist Credential in Moderate/Severe Disabilities, which authorizes teachers to instruct individuals in grades K-12 and adults who have autism, moderate/severe mental retardation, deaf-blindness, serious emotional disturbance and/or multiple disabilities.
After employment, Education Specialist Level I credential holders have five years in which to complete Level II at this or any other accredited campus. Optional program extensions you may pursue include
Early Childhood Special Education Certificate to serve infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Master’s Degree in Education with Special Education Option
A second Education Specialist credential
The Program Emphasizes the California Teaching Performance Expectations (TPES) and Education
Specialist Competencies
- Relevant field experiences in K-12 settings
- State-of-the-art course work
- Academic excellence
- Teacher professionalism and collaboration
- The teaching of reading
- Special education laws and regulations
- Best practices for meeting special learning needs
- Service learning
- Strategies for teaching English Learners
Program Features
Fall semester entry
Introductory core classes offered two semesters a year without formal program admission
Teacher candidates attend program course work as a supportive cadre throughout the year
Assistance with preparation for employment
Other Special Education Programs Available
- Level II Education Specialist Program Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe
- Undergraduate Minor in Special Education
- Concurrent Credential Program (combines Multiple Subject or Multiple Subject/BCLAD with Education Specialist)
- Internships
Education Specialist Professional Preparation Program Prerequisites
Special Education Core
- SPED 343* Overview of Special Educ. - 3 units
- SPED 569* Field Experiences General & Special Education - 3 units
- SPED 561 Curriculum & Instruction for Inclusive Settings - 3 units
- SPED 563 Collaboration in Education & the Helping Professions - 2 units
- SPED 564 Management of Inclusive Learning Environments - 2 units
Introductory core classes are open spring semester without formal program admission. This core may also be offered June–August for those needing it before beginning the formal program. Core classes can apply toward an undergraduate minor in special education.
*must be taken first
Professional Credential Program Prerequisites
PSYC 353 Learning in the Young Child
Or
PSYC 414 Psychology of Teaching
CMST 131 Speech Communication Fundamentals
POLS 155 American Government: National, State, and Local
CBEST examination
Verification of approved subject matter preparation program or examination (CSET)
Application Process
Contact the program coordinator or program advisor to discuss a program plan.
The FOCUS on Teaching Credential Application booklet downloadable online in PDF format or available at the Education Services Center located in Holt 101 or at 530-898-6391.
Credential Program Course Work
Fall Semseter
EDTE 572 Reading/Language Arts - 3 units
SPED 560 Methods for Teaching Math: Gen. & Spec. Ed. - 2 units
SPED 565 Behavioral Management - 2 units
SPED 692 Classroom Mgmt: Excep. Nds. 3 units (Moderate/Severe Candidates)
SPED 598 Seminar for Fieldwork Exp. - 1 unit (Mild/Moderate Candidates)
SPED 568 Fieldwork–General Educ. - 3 units
SPED 530 Practicum: Special Educ. - 3 units
BLMC 518 Language & Communication Skills
Spring Semester
SPED 671 Technology in Specialized Instruction - 2 units
PSYC 516 Assessment & Evaluation in General & Special Ed. - 3 units
SPED 673 Laws & Regulations in Special Education - 1 unit
SPED 672 Curriculum & Instruction: Mild/Moderate Disabilities - 3 units
RDGL 664 Seminar: Diagnose/Remediate Reading - 3 units
SPED 670 Home/School/Community Relations in Gen. & Special Education - 2 units
SPED 598 Seminar for Fieldwork Exp. - 1 unit
SPED 567 Student Teaching– Mild/Moderate Disabilities - 8 units
SPED 532 Student Teaching– Moderate/Severe Disabilities - 8 units
SPED 637 Curriculum and Instruction Moderate/Severe Disabilities - 3 units
Advising and Additional Information
Faculty advisors are available by appointment and on a drop-in basis. Call the numbers listed below to obtain office hours for the following advisors:
Cheri Taylor
Prerequisite Advisor
Office: Tehama 409
Phone: 530-898-6887
Laurel Hill-Ward
Coordinator
Office: Tehama 419
Phone: 530-898-5025
Concurrent Education Specialist/Multiple Subject and Education Specialist Credential Programs
Department of Professional Studies in Education
California State University, Chico
Chico, California 95929-0465
The FOCUS on Teaching Credential Application booklet downloadable online in PDF format or available at the Education Services Center located in Holt 101 or at 530-898-6391.
http://www.csuchico.edu
