Preliminary Education Specialist (Special Education) Credential Programs
The Special Education Programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and offers exemplary credential programs in Mild to Moderate and Extensive Support Needs including an Intern Credential Program. The Program also offers an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Added Authorization. These credential options are offered at the Bakersfield campus and also at the Antelope Valley campus.
The Special Education Program provides an Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) in collaboration with the Liberal Studies program and the Department of Child, Adolescent, and Families Studies. Students in an ITEP program are expected to complete their Baccalaureate degree as well as a Mild/Moderate (MMSN) or Extensive Support Needs (ESN) education specialist teaching credential.
The Special Education Program also offers Intern Education Specialist Preliminary Credential Programs in either Mild/Moderate Support Needs or in Extensive Support Needs. Intern candidates are required to complete the Preliminary Intern program. All requirements for Intern Credential Preliminary Credential Programs are similar to the Traditional Preliminary Credential programs, except for the clinical practice components.
Candidates are required to complete the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential program first and then complete a Clear Induction program in Special Education. The Preliminary Credential is valid for five (5) years. During this time, the candidate must complete a Clear Induction program for a Professional Clear Credential. The Special Education Program does not offer a Clear Induction program.
Candidates may begin the program during any semester. Information sessions are offered at least once each semester. Candidates are required to attend the information 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 a program plan prior to enrolling in courses.
Time Limits for Coursework
All credential coursework must be completed within a 7-year period of time. This time limit requirement means that no more than seven years may elapse between the start of the term for the earliest dated course approved for the Plan of Study and the date the application for recommendation of a credential is approved. Candidates who break enrollment are subject to any program changes from CSUB or the CCTC regarding credential eligibility.
Admission Requirements
- University Admission application
- Evidence of meeting the Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., California Basic Educational Skills Test or CBEST score report).
- BA or BS degree with an overall GPA of 2.67 or higher, or 2.75 or higher GPA in the last 60 semester units (Exceptional admission is available for those who have GPA of 2.5 or higher).
- Subject Matter Competency Verification Website
- Reference forms: Three completed reference forms from those who know the applicant and their potential for a special education teaching career. Forms are provided in the application packet.
- Autobiography: Typed two- to three-page description of the applicant’s characteristics, interests, and motivation to become a special education teacher.
- Mandatory Reporter Training Certificate: Complete a Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training.
- Purchase of Professional Liability Insurance
- Certificate of Clearance
- Completion of Program Application forms
- Successful completion of an in-person interview
For more details on admission requirements, please check the program website
A candidate must maintain a 3.00 or higher GPA in all credential courses to remain in the program. If a candidate’s GPA falls below a 3.0, the candidate has one semester to raise the GPA to 3.0. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program. If a candidate earns a grade lower than a “C” in any course, that course must be repeated.
Applications are reviewed by the program. All admissions decisions are final and not open for appeal.
Preliminary Educational Specialist in Mild to Moderate Support Needs or in Extensive Support Needs
Candidates may choose an option in either Mild to Moderate Support Needs or Extensive Support Needs. The prerequisites are the same for both options. However, candidates are required to successfully complete specific courses for the chosen option. Please consult with an academic advisor for this option. An Autism added authorization and an English Learner added authorization are embedded in both credential programs.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| EDSP 4270 | Establishing Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| EDSP 4800 | Early Field Experience in Diverse Classrooms | 3 |
| EDSP 4100 | Teaching Linguistically and Culturally Diverse students in SPED | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 |
Mild/Moderate Support Needs Preliminary Education Specialist Credential
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| EDSP 5610 | Characteristics and Needs of Students with Mild to Extensive Support Needs | 3 |
| EDSP 5620 | Collaboration and Transition in Special Education | 3 |
| EDEL 5100 | Literacy Arts for Diverse Learners | 4 |
| EDEL 5200 | Math Methods and Assessment | 4 |
| EDSP 5630 | Assessment of Students with Mild to Extensive Support Needs | 3 |
| EDSP 5640 | Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support | 3 |
| EDSP 5650 | Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Mild/Moderate Support Needs | 3 |
EDSP 5800
& EDSP 5810 | Clinical Practice I
and Clinical Practice II | 6-7 |
| or EDSP 5810 | Clinical Practice II |
| or EDSP 5880 | Intern Seminar/Supervision in Special Education |
| EDSP 5820 | Final Clinical Practice for Mild/Moderate Support Needs | 4-9 |
| or EDSP 5830 | Final Clinical Practice for Extensive Support Needs |
| or EDSP 5890 | Final Intern Seminar Supervision in Special Education |
| EDSP 5910 | CalTPA Cycle 1: Learning About Students and Planning Instruction | 2 |
| EDSP 5920 | CalTPA Cycle 2: Learning About Students and Planning Instruction | 2 |
| Total Units | 37-43 |
Extensive Support Needs Preliminary Education Specialist Credential
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| EDSP 5610 | Characteristics and Needs of Students with Mild to Extensive Support Needs | 3 |
| EDSP 5620 | Collaboration and Transition in Special Education | 3 |
| 6 |
| EDEL 5100 | Literacy Arts for Diverse Learners | 4 |
| EDEL 5200 | Math Methods and Assessment | 4 |
| EDSP 5630 | Assessment of Students with Mild to Extensive Support Needs | 3 |
| EDSP 5640 | Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support | 3 |
| EDSP 5660 | Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Extensive Support Needs | 3 |
| 17 |
EDSP 5800
& EDSP 5810 | Clinical Practice I
and Clinical Practice II | 3 |
| or EDSP 5810 | Clinical Practice II |
| or EDSP 5880 | Intern Seminar/Supervision in Special Education |
| EDSP 5820 | Final Clinical Practice for Mild/Moderate Support Needs | 9 |
| EDSP 5830 | Final Clinical Practice for Extensive Support Needs | 4-9 |
| or EDSP 5890 | Final Intern Seminar Supervision in Special Education |
| EDSP 5910 | CalTPA Cycle 1: Learning About Students and Planning Instruction | 2 |
| EDSP 5920 | CalTPA Cycle 2: Learning About Students and Planning Instruction | 2 |
| 20-25 |
| Total Units | 43-48 |
Early Childhood Special Education Added Authorization
ECSE Added Authorization allows candidates to teach young children from birth to five years old. Candidates with a valid education specialist preliminary or clear credential holders or candidates who are currently in a credential program are eligible to enroll in ECSE added authorization program.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| EDSP 5710 | Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families | 3 |
| EDSP 5720 | Assessment and Intervention/Instructional Strategies: Birth through Pre-Kindergarten | 3 |
| EDSP 5730 | Field Experience in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 |
Clinical Practice/Student Teaching and Placement Request
Special Education program candidates are required to complete their clinical practice in various special education settings by enrolling in appropriate clinical practice course (either intern seminar or clinical practice) every semester while completing required credential courses. Candidates are provided with opportunities for meaningful collaborative instruction for students with MMSN or ESN with diverse needs (K-12) in school settings. Each candidate is required to participate in and reflect on a variety of activities representing different roles of special educators including interactions with parents, and to assume other responsibilities of full-time teachers and service providers for one semester. The full-time placement is scheduled daily during regular school sessions.
The request for clinical practice/student teaching placements must be submitted to the Clinical Practice Coordinator/ by the 10th week of each preceding semester. The Special Education student teaching orientation session is typically held on the first day of each semester.
Dispositions
Candidates are expected to demonstrate professional dispositions at all times. Failure to do so will result in the implementation of a Candidate Improvement Plan. If the Candidate Improvement Plan is insufficient in supporting the candidate in demonstrating professional dispositions, the candidate will be dismissed from the program.
Application for the Credential
During the final term of the credential program, candidates attend an Induction Seminar where they receive information regarding the application process. Candidates are also notified via email by the admissions advisor of the credential recommendation process, informed of any missing CTC or state requirements and given the link to CSUB’s in-house credential recommendation application found here. The application packet also contains a checklist of required documents necessary to be eligible to apply for their credential.
Upon receipt of the credential application, the Credential Analyst reviews and verifies that all program criteria are met, and only qualified candidates are recommended for the credential. The credential analyst evaluates the candidate’s application to validate eligibility and that all program and state requirements have been successfully completed prior to recommendation for the requested credential or authorization. This process is completed through a review of candidate data in the CSUB Credential database and digital document file. The database and digital document file house each candidate’s program documents and verification of credential coursework completed through CSUB. Once verification is complete, the Credential Analyst submits the recommendation using CTC’s online recommendation system for final review and issuance of the credential.
