Special Education

Department Chair: Dr. Eun-Ja Kim Park, Ph. D.
Department Office: Education Building, 211
Telephone: (661) 654-3166
e-mail: lstone3@csub.edu
Website: www.csub.edu/SpecialEd/
Faculty: J. Chavez, Y. Lee, P. Patterson, C. Petit,
A. Van Reusen, Janie Webb (FERP)

Program Overview

The Department of Special Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The department offers exemplary credential programs in Mild/Moderate Disabilities including an Intern Credential Program. The Department also offers an undergraduate minor in Special Education and a Master of Arts degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education.

The Special Education Credential Programs offer two credential area options: (1) Educational Specialist in Mild/Moderate Disabilities; and (2) Educational Specialist in Moderate/Severe Disabilities. These credential options are offered at the main campus and also at the CSUB Antelope Valley campus. Beginning the Fall Quarter of 2005, Educational Specialist in Mild/Moderate Disabilities will be offered at the College of the Canyons campus through Extended University.

Candidates are required to complete Level I (Preliminary Credential) program first and then complete Level II (Professional Clear Credential) in Special Education. The Preliminary Level I Credential is valid for five (5) years. During this time, the candidate must complete Level II program for a Professional Clear Credential. The Induction Plan for Level II must be developed within 130 days after the completion of the Level I program.

Additionally, the Special Education Program offers Intern Credential Programs in either Mild/Moderate Disabilities or in Moderate/Severe Disabilities. Intern Programs offer two options: (1) completing Level I and then return to pursue the Level II program; or (2) completing Level I and Level II programs combined in one sequence. All requirements for Intern Credential Programs are the same as the traditional Level I and Level II programs, except for the field experience components.

Candidates may begin the program during any quarter. Orientation and information sessions (Level I, Level II, or Intern Program) are offered at the beginning of each quarter except for the summer. Candidates are required to attend the orientation session prior to submitting application materials. Each candidate is assigned a faculty advisor when admitted to the program, and candidates are required to consult with their advisor in developing the program plan. All admission requirements and course sequences for Special Education programs are the same for the main campus, the CSUB Antelope Valley campus, and the College of the Canyons campus.

Special Education Program Descriptions

Level I: Preliminary Special Education Credential Programs

Admission Requirements:

A student must maintain a 3.00 or higher GPA in all credential courses to remain in the program.

Educational Specialist in Mild/Moderate Disabilities or in Moderate/Severe Disabilities

Candidates may choose an option in either Mild/Moderate Disabilities or Moderate/Severe Disabilities. The prerequisites are the same for both options. However, candidates are required to successfully complete specific courses for the chosen option. Please consult with academic advisor for this option.

Prerequisites:

Course Sequence for Mild/Moderate Disabilities Credential Option

Note: Candidates have the option to enroll in either the Elementary Education (EDEL) or Secondary Education (EDSE) courses.

Phase I: Foundation & Basic Understanding

Phase II: Skill Development

Phase III: Field Experience

Course Sequence for Moderate/Severe Disabilities Credential Option

Note: Candidates have the option to enroll in Elementary Education (EDEL) or Secondary Education (EDSE) courses. Please consult with academic advisor for this option.

Phase I: Foundation & Basic Understanding

Phase II: Skill Development

Phase III: Field Experience - Special Education

Field Experience/Student Teaching and Placement Request

Special Education program candidates are required to complete their field experiences/student teaching in both (a) general education classrooms and (b) special education classrooms after completing all other required courses. The general education student teaching requires five (5) weeks of half-day student teaching in either the elementary classroom or secondary classroom. The special education student teaching requires full-day student teaching for the entire quarter.

The request for field experience/student teaching placements must be submitted to the Field Experience Coordinator/ Department Office by the fifth week of each preceding quarter. The placement request form is available at the Department of Special Education office.

The first seminar session for Special Education student teaching is typically held on the first class meeting date of each quarter. This is a mandatory seminar for all student teachers. The General Education student teaching seminar information is usually provided by the student teaching placement office prior to beginning the field experience in the general education classroom. In addition, the General Education student teaching is scheduled during the summer session for the special education credential candidates.

Level II: Professional Clear Special Education Credential Programs

Admission Requirements & Pre-requisites:

Course Sequence

Phase I: Establishing Direction

Phase II: Gaining Focus

* These two courses (EDSP 529 and EDSP 688) are also required for the Master’s Degree in Special Education.

Phase III: Assuming Leadership

Additional California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) Requirements

Special Education Intern Credential Program

The Special Education Intern Credential Program offers two options: (1) Preliminary Credential (Level I) and (2) Clear Credential (Level I & Level II) programs in either Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities. All required courses for the Level I and Level II Intern Program are the same as the traditional program requirements except for the field experience requirement. Intern program candidates are required to successfully complete six intern seminars (EDSP 636 A-F) during the two-year span, while traditional program candidates are required to successfully complete student teaching in a general classroom setting (EDEL 450 or EDSE 450) in addition to student teaching in a special education classroom (EDSP 625 or EDSP 635). The Special Education Intern Credential Program is also available at the CSUB Antelope Valley campus.

Prerequisite requirements for the Intern Program:

Course Sequence in Intern Credential Programs

Option I Intern Credential Program Candidates in Option I program are required to complete all required Phase I & II courses for Level I program within two years with six (6) intern seminars of EDSP 636 A-F.

Option II Intern Credential Program Candidates in the Option II program are required to complete all required courses for Level I & II within two years with six (6) intern seminars of EDSP 636 A-F. This option is recommended only for those who hold general education credentials at the time of application to the Intern Credential Program.

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) Requirements for Option II

Special Education MA degree Culminating Activity

MA degree candidates must form the Culminating Activity Committee at least one or two quarters in advance of completing their MA culminating activities by completing the Culminating Activity Committee Form by obtaining their committee members’ signatures.

Candidates are required to form a culminating activities committee one to two quarters in advance and to choose one of the three options listed below: