Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Academic Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Moderate/Severe Disabilities


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Kimy Liu, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

Teacher Education Department phone:  (209) 667-3357
Email: TeacherEd@csustan.edu

Note:  There are no “catalog rights” in credential programs.  Requirements, subject to change, are set by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the California State University, and Stanislaus State. Students must meet the current state requirements for the credential.  For current state requirements, consult the Handbook for the Education Specialist Credential Program that is available online at www.csustan.edu/teacher-education/education-specialist-special-ed

California State University, Stanislaus is authorized to recommend individuals for Education Specialist Credentials in two areas: Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Moderate/Severe Disabilities. An Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) added Authorization is also offered.  The programs prepare individuals to become special education teachers.

A prerequisite teaching credential in Multiple or Single Subject, is not required to obtain the Education Specialist Credential.

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or tax payer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements are available from program coordinator.

Requirements: Education Specialist Credential


The following is a sequence of steps to obtain a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe Disabilities. Admission forms and a full description of the documentation and coursework requirements are included in the Education Specialist Handbook.

I. General Requirements


  1. Applying for admission to Stanislaus State Graduate School and to the Credential Program requires separate applications and fees.  
    1. Stanislaus State Graduate application - apply online at www.CalStateApply.edu. Application to the University requires official transcripts and separate fees.  If students graduate with a B.A./B.S. while in the credential program, they must reapply to the University in a timely manner (about six months prior to graduating) and be readmitted as a graduate student to continue in the program.
    2. Application to the Credential Program is available online at www.csustan.edu/Credentials, or you can stop by Credential Services, DBH 303, (209) 667-3534.  A fee is required when submitting the application. 
  2. Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement
    The required GPA is 2.67 in all baccalaureate and postbaccalaureate coursework or GPA of at least 2.75 in the last 60 units.  Students with a minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 units will be considered for “Special Admission.”

II. Admission Requirements


Applicants may apply before completing the prerequisites; however, the prerequisites must be completed before being accepted to program.

  1. Tuberculosis Clearance or TB Risk Assessment Clearance
    Students must show proof of having completed a screening for tuberculosis within the last 4 years
  2. CCTC Certificate of Clearance
    Students must submit fingerprints via “Livescan” when they apply for the program.  The “Livescan” form (fingerprints) is available in the Credential Services office or on their website at www.csustan.edu/Credentials and will be electronically forwarded to CCTC.  The clearance is processed through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and is completed online at www.ctc.ca.gov.  Background checks are conducted by the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  When “cleared”, a student will receive an email from the Commission verifying the “Certificate of Clearance.”
  3. Subject Matter Competency
    Students will complete one of the following:
    1.    Elementary level:  Pass 3 sections of CSET Multiple Subject (101, 102, & 103).
    2.    Middle and Secondary Level:  Pass CSET Single Subject exam or complete a subject matter preparation program (in the areas of Art, English, Foreign   Language, Mathematics, Music, Social Science, or Science).
  4. Basic Skills Requirements (BSR)
    This requirement can be met through one of the following ways:
    1.    Pass 3 sections of CBEST (www.ctcexams.nesinc.com).
    2.    Pass CSET Writing Skills (Elementary Level Only) (www.ctcexams.nesinc.com).
    3.    Pass CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP English and Mathematics sections taken in spring of 11th grade with a “College Ready” or “Exempt” score or combination of scores from EAP and EPT/ELM.
    4.    CSU Placement Examinations (EPT and ELM) with English score of 151 or above and Entry Level Math score of 50 or above.  Candidates using only the CSU examinations to meet the BSR can combine scores from EAP and EPT/ELM.
    5.    College Board SAT examination - with an English score of 500 or above and Math score of 550 or above.
    6.    ACT Examination - with an English score of 22 or above and Math score of 23 or above.
    7.    College Board Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) with Critical Reading score of 3 or above in either AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition; AND a Math score of 3 or above in either AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC or AP Statistics.
    8.    Pass a Basic Skills Examination (BSE) from another State.  (The list of Basic Skills Examinations from other states accepted by CCTC can be found http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/c1667.pdf. Parts of different options may not be combined to meet the Basic Skills Requirement, except the EAP and EPT/ELM as stated in #4.
  5. Early Field Experience
    All candidates must complete 45 hours of documented field experience in K-12 U.S. classrooms with the last 5 years.
  6. English Composition
    All CSU graduates will have met this requirement as part of their BA/BS degree.
    1.    Complete a CSU upper-division writing course (listed as WP in the catalog).
    2.    Submit a verifiable score of 41 or higher on the writing portion on CBEST.
    3.    Completing an upper division composition course with a grade of C or better.
  7. American Government/Constitution
    Complete   or an equivalent course that fulfills the U.S. Constitution requirement.

III. Corequisite Course


These corequisite course should be completed prior to admittance to the credential program, but may be taken concurrently.

IV. Education Specialist Program Requirements


Select the following course(s) depending on the credential(s) you are seeking

If you are seeking Mild/Moderate or Concurrent Multiple Subject & Mild/Moderate credential:

If you are seeking Moderate/Severe credential:

B. Student Teaching: After completing the coursework with “B” average and verification of subject matter competence, complete the following courses:


Note: you must apply for credential specific student teaching a semester prior to placement.

1.  If seeking Mild/Moderate Disabilities enroll in:

2.  If seeking Moderate/Severe Disabilities enroll in:

If students are not successful in their first attempt of student teaching, they should take the following class in their second attempt.  (Note:  Prerequisite:  Approval of the Program Selection and Review Committee)

1.  If seeking Mild/Moderate Disabilities enroll in:

2.  If seeking Moderate/Severe Disabilities enroll in:

V. Exit Requirements


A. Reading instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Credential candidates should take this exam only after completing the program courses on how to teach reading. www.rica.nesinc.com RICA is an exit requirement for the Education Specialist Credential.  Before candidates are recommended for the credential, verification of passing is required.

B. Meet the passing grade for the exit interview.

C. CPR Certification - In “infant/child and adult” that meets the criteria for the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

TOTAL UNITS FOR THE EDUCATION SPECIALIST CREDENTIALS: 44 UNITS


(6 corequisites + 38 program units)

Concurrent Enrollment in Multiple and Single Subject Credential Programs


There is an option to receive dual credentials with concurrent enrollment in the Multiple Subject Credential Program or the Single Subject Credential Program.  See information sheets regarding the options on our Education Specialist website at https://www.csustan.edu/teacher-education/special-education-forms-and-documents

Education Specialist Internship Option: Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities


The internship option permits candidates in the Education Specialist Credential Program to obtain employment as a teacher in collaborating school districts while completing requirements for the Preliminary Credential. Interns must still complete all courses and tests in the credential program. Interns do not have to complete student teaching; they can get credit for their student teaching from their paid intern teaching position. To qualify for an internship, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • B.A. / B.S. degree
  • Basic Skills Requirement
  • Meet Subject Matter competency requirement
  • College coursework or examination on U.S. Constitution
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance
  • Certificate of Clearance (Fingerprint clearance)
  • Complete CPR Certification that includes Infant/Child/Adult and meets the American Red Cross and/or American Heart Association criteria
  • Prerequisite Courses - Complete 120 hours of post-baccalaureate studies to include:

1. EDSE 4310 - Introduction to Special Education

2. Multilingual Education: Complete one of the following:

a. EDMS 4150 - Multilingual Methods OR

b. EDSS 4110 - Multilingual Education in Secondary Schools OR

c. EDUC 4400 - Intro and Foundations of Multilingual Education

3. EDSE 4750 - Applied Behavioral Analysis in the classroom

The Education Specialist Professional Clear Credential: Mild/Moderate and Moderate Severe Disabilities


A Professional Clear program (Level II ESCP) is not offered by Stanislaus State effective Fall 2011. If you need to complete this CCTC requirement, contact your local district or county BTSA Office for an alternate means of meeting this credential level.

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