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
Preliminary Level I Ed Specialist Mild/Moderate Disabilities with Multiple or Single Subject Credential Concurrent with BCLAD option
(26 courses; 100.5 quarter units TED)
(780-356) (-362 Single) (-363 Multiple)
(27 courses; 105 quarter units BCLAD)
(780-356) (-364 B Single) (-365 B Multiple)
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
BCLAD students must pass the oral language, grammar, reading and writing proficiency examinations prior to the methods courses.
Core Requirements
(TED 10 courses; 42 quarter units)
(BCLAD 11 courses; 46.5 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
BTE 612 History and Culture of Latinos in the United States (BCLAD only, taught in language of emphasis)
TED 615 Foundations of Education
TED 611 Educational Psychology
EXC 620 Positive Behavior Support
EXC 630 Assessment and Instructional Planning for Special Needs Students
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 or BTE 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
Multiple Subject
(2 courses; 9 quarter units)
TED 622A Curriculum and Instruction I: History, Social Science, Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts
(Prerequisite: TED 615 and TED 621A)
and
TED 622B Curriculum and Instruction II: Mathematics and Science
(Prerequisites: TED 615 and TED 621A)
or
BTE 622A Curriculum and Instruction I: History, Social Science, P.E., Visual and Performing Arts (taught in language of emphasis)
(Prerequisites: TED 615 and TED 621A)
and
BTE 622B Curriculum and Instruction II: Mathematics and Science (taught in language of emphasis)
(Prerequisites: TED 615 and TED 621A)
or
Single Subject
(2 courses; 9 quarter units)
TED 625A Curriculum and Development for Secondary and Middle Schools
(Prerequisites: TED 615 and TED 623)
and
TED 625B Instruction and Classroom Management for Secondary and Middle Schools
(Prerequisites: TED 615, TED 623 and TED 625A)
or
BTE 625A Curriculum and Development for Secondary and Middle Schools (taught in language of emphasis)
(Prerequisites: TED 615 and TED 623)
and
BTE 625B Instruction and Classroom Management for
Secondary and Middle Schools (taught in language of emphasis)
(Prerequisites: TED 615, TED 623 and BTE 625A)
Note: Proof of subject matter competence and Basic Skills Requirement are required before the candidate can register for the Advanced Specialization courses.
Advanced Specialization Requirements
(12 courses; 40.5 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)
TED 629 Student Teaching Seminar (3 quarter units) (must be taken concurrently with student teaching)
TED or BTE 630A Beginning Student Teaching
TED or BTE 630B Student Teaching (General Education)
EXC 603A Student Teaching Seminar
(Must be taken concurrently with student teaching)(1.5 quarter units)
EXC 685A Student Teaching: Mild/Moderate Disabilities – I
and
EXC 685B Student Teaching: Mild/Moderate Disabilities – II
Exit Portfolio – Multiple or Single Subject Credential, Special Education
Exit Exam – Mild/Moderate Level I Credential
The following must be in student's file prior to filing for a credential:
- Proof of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited IHE with a GPA of 2.5.
- Copy of evaluation (if a non- U.S. degree) by a CTC-approved international evaluation agency.
- 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.
- Valid CPR card (Infant, Child, and Adult)
- Attend exit appointment with credential advisor to receive final clearance and credential documents