Overview
PRELIMINARY LEVEL I EDUCATION SPECIALIST CREDENTIALS:
Mild/Moderate Disabilities or Moderate/Severe Disabilities or Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing with CLAD Certificate or concurrent Multiple or Single subject credential
In California, Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Credentials in Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Moderate/Severe Disabilities authorize the provision of services to individuals in grades K through 12, including adults. The Mild/Moderate Disabilities credential authorizes the teaching of individuals with specific learning disabilities, mental retardation, other health impairments, and emotional disturbance. The Moderate/Severe Disabilities credential authorizes the teaching of individuals with autism, mental retardation, deaf-blindness, emotional disturbance, and multiple disabilities.
For students enrolled in the Level I Education Specialist credential with a CLAD certificate, please note that classes have been approved as a set by the CTC. No coursework is accepted in transfer from another university for this program and no substitutions are allowed. All coursework for the CLAD certificate must be taken at National University, which will provide a recommendation to the CTC.
Although many of the courses in this credential program are offered online, certain testing courses and fieldwork in the Advanced Specialization program must be taken on-site.
Admission Requirements
Before being accepted to the credential program, students must possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university and be enrolled in the University. Students with a non-U.S. degree must receive an evaluation from a CTC-approved international evaluation agency prior to admission and starting the first course. Students are admitted to the credential program when they attend the credential orientation meeting (EXC 602A or a separate National University orientation) and return the completed credential packet. (See Admission to Credential Programs in the previous section.)
National University recognizes its responsibility to exercise judgment in recommending persons for California teaching credentials. Students must submit a completed credentials packet and be interviewed by a credential advisor and a School of Education faculty member. The credentials packet is available from a credential advisor at the credential orientation (EXC 602A or a separate National University orientation) meeting and must be completed and submitted before the end of course EXC 602A, within the first 30 days of enrollment. Course equivalence is not granted for life experience.
Scheduling
All generic courses are scheduled by an admissions advisor. A member of the credential department will schedule the advanced specialization courses and student teaching when students complete the generic core exam.
Admission to Field Experiences
Before beginning any part of the Student Teaching, students must:
- Return the completed credentials packet within 30 days of admission and orientation
- Provide proof of passing the Basic Skills Requirement *
- Demonstrate subject-matter competency*
- Provide proof of possession of a Certificate of Clearance or other valid document
- Provide verification of a negative tuberculin examination taken within the last four years
- Interview with a School of Education faculty member
- Complete all other coursework in the Education Specialist program
- Complete the prerequisite coursework with a 3.0 GPA. "D" and "F" grades are not accepted.
* Highly recommended prior to admission and at the first available test date after enrollment. Must be passed prior to advanced specialization classes.
Note: Detailed requirements for field experiences are listed in the Student Teaching Handbook and in the Credential Packet.
Recommendation for Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Credential
In order to be recommended for a California Preliminary Level I Education Specialist credential in Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe Disabilities or Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, students must show:
- Successful completion of the admission process.
- Successful completion of the field experience activities, including Student Teaching.
- Successful completion of the program within seven years.
- Proof of passing with a grade of "C" or better coursework or an examination on the U.S. Constitution.
- Official transcripts of all colleges/universities attended on file at National University.
- Proof of passing Basic Skills Requirement.
- Proof of meeting the appropriate subject matter competence.
- Completion of 31.5 quarter units in residence.
- Valid CPR certification for Infant, Child and Adult.
- Maintenance of a GPA of 3.0 in credential program coursework; "D" and "F" grades are not accepted.
- Receipt of a Certificate of Clearance or other valid document.
- Successful completion of the generic core and advanced specialization requirements.
- Successful completion of the exit process, including passing the Exit Exam.
- Proof of passing the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
- Verification of passing scores (BCLAD only) on the verbal and written language proficiency examinations.
- Zero account balance prior to student teaching and completion.
- Attend exit appointment with credential advisor to receive final clearance and credential documents
- Letter of recommendation from Master Teacher (for DHH students only)
- Comprehensive Examination (for DHH students only)
See a Credential Advisor for specific information regarding any of these requirements.
Requirements
(22 courses; 84 quarter units)
Program Prerequisites
These courses are required prior to student teaching.
(2 courses; 9 quarter units)
HED 602 Introductory Health Education: K-12
EDT 608 Computer-Based Technology in the Classroom
Core Requirements
(10 courses; 42 quarter units)
Field experience courses must be taken at the beginning of the program and may be taken concurrently with other courses.
EXC 602A Field Experience: Special Education
(3 quarter units)
EXC 602B Field Experience: Inclusive Settings
(3 quarter units)
EXC 604 Exceptionality and Diversity in the Classroom
TED 615 Foundations of Education
TED 611 Educational Psychology
EXC 620 Positive Behavior Support
EXC 630 Assessment and Instructional Planning for Special Needs Students
(Meets one night per week over two months)
TED 621A Language Development Methods for the Elementary School
(Prerequisite: TED 615)
or
TED 623 Language Development Methods for Secondary and Middle Schools
(Prerequisite: TED 615)
TED 621B Reading and Language Arts Methods for the Elementary School
(Prerequisites: TED 615 and TED 621A)
EXC 650 Consultation and Collaboration for Special Education
Generic Core Exam
Verify passage of Basic Skills Requirement and Subject Matter Competency
Note: Generic Core Exam must be passed prior to enrollment in Advanced Specialization Courses.
Advanced Specialization Requirements
(10 courses; 33 quarter units)
EXC 644 Reading and Language Arts Methods for Special Education (one night per week over two months)
EXC 644A Field Study: Reading and Language Arts Methods for Special Education
(1.5 quarter units)
EXC 660 Instruction of Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
EXC 660A Field Study: Instruction of Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
(1.5 quarter units)
EXC 615 Technology for Persons with Disabilities
EXC 615A Field Study: Technology for Persons with Disabilities
(1.5 quarter units)
and
EXC 603A Student Teaching Seminar (1.5 quarter units)
(Must be taken concurrently with Student Teaching)
EXC 685A Student Teaching: Mild/Moderate Disabilities
EXC 685B Student Teaching: Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Exit Portfolio
Exit Exam Apply for Mild/Moderate Level Credential
Must obtain Clearance to take CLAD 627 to apply for CLAD Certificate.
CLD 627 Methodology for Cross-Cultural Instruction
(taken after completion of student teaching)
Apply for CLAD Certificate.
CLAD certificate classes have been approved as a set by the CTC. No transfer coursework is accepted from another university for this program and no substitutions are allowed. Students must hold a valid credential to be granted a certificate.
The following must be in the student's file prior to filing for a credential:
- Proof of passing the U.S. Constitution exam or transcript verifying completed U.S. Constitution coursework
- Certificate of Clearance or equivalent document
- Successful completion of the exit process, including passing the Exit Exam.
- Passing grade on the Basic Skills Requirement.
- Verification of subject matter competency.
- Proof of passing the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
- Zero account balance prior to student teaching and completion.
- Completion of a minimum of 31.5 quarter units in residence.
- Completion of credential program within seven years.
- Grades of "D" and "F" are not accepted.
- Attend exit appointment with credential advisor to receive final clearance and credential documents