Overview

The University Internship credential programs provide opportunities for students to assume the responsibilities of full-time "teachers of record" while completing the credential coursework required to complete their Level I Education Specialist preparation program. Interns are salaried credentialed employees of a school district, non-public school, or agency and must have an offer of employment from an approved school district or agency that has or is willing to enter into a partnership agreement with National University. As such, they serve as employees of the district/agency and as interns with the university. University Internship credential students meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB.)

National University students who are interested in becoming a university intern must complete and show verification of all prerequisite requirements and go through the internship eligibility process to determine suitability for the internship program. The internship program is intense and students must be selected to participate.

Throughout their credential program, interns receive direct support in the classroom from mentor teachers on a monthly basis. Interns will receive support from a local site intern support provider, a university support provider /mentor and a National University supervisor at different points in the internship program cycle. The credential program extends over approximately 18 months of course and field work. Depending on the number of courses completed at the time internship eligibility is determined, interns will have varied lengths of mentorship support. However, interns should receive a minimum of four months of support prior to applying for the 45 day supervised teaching experience at the end of the credential program.

An Internship Credential is valid for two years at the site of hire. As such, a university intern must be continuously enrolled in coursework, maintain an updated account balance, and register their internship status on a yearly basis with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Any changes in employment status while on an internship credential must be communicated to the credential advisor.

Internship Credential Prerequisite and Eligibility Requirements

Prerequisites

  • Possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Enrollment into a National University Education Specialist Credential program.
  • Proof of subject matter competence.
  • Proof of passing with a grade "C" or better coursework or an examination covering the U.S. Constitution.
  • Proof of possession of a CTC document verifying fingerprint clearance.
  • Proof of passing the Basic Skills Requirement.
  • A negative result on a tuberculosis (TB) test taken within the last four years.
  • Current account balance.
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Resume.
  • A signed Acknowledgement of Terms and Agreements for an Internship Credential form (CP-1).
  • Verification of completion of the 120 clock hours of required pre-service coursework/field experience detailed below.

Eligibility Requirements

In addition to completion of all prerequisites, students are required to verify completion of the following Intern Eligibility forms: 

1. Verification of a partnership agreement between National University and the intern's potential employer.
2. District or agency offer of employment for the intern as a full time teacher of record in a setting appropriate for the credential being sought.
3. Faculty verification of intern eligibility determined in an interview with a lead internship faculty member.

 

 

 

Requirements

INTERNSHIP – PRELIMINARY LEVEL I EDUCATION SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL:
Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities with CLAD Certificate
(22 courses; 82.5 quarter units)

Pre-Service Coursework and Field Experience Requirements

The CTC mandates that all approved internship programs require a minimum of 120 hours of pre-service coursework (13.5 quarter units) or a combination of coursework and documented field experience/observation/exposure. The pre-service requirement must be met in advance of beginning an internship and functioning as a "teacher of record."
Note: 4.5 quarter units are equal to 40 clock hours.
Note: EXC602A is only 3.0 quarter units for logging of classroom hours but it meets the 40 clock hours of pre-service requirements for internship because of the field observation component of the course.

Required

EXC 602A Field Experience: Special Education (3 quarter units)
EXC 604 Exceptionality and Diversity in the Classroom

AND
An additional 4.5 quarter units of coursework or 40 clock hours of field experience/observation/exposure is required. CLD 627 is recommended, if using coursework.

Note: Documentation of experience must be on "official" school site or district stationery and signed by the appropriate and fully qualified school site administrator. It must attest that the intern candidate has completed at least 40 hours of field experience/observation. This experience does not waive any coursework in the program.

Internship Specific Course Requirements

An internship credential is required before enrollment into the following three courses that provide initial and ongoing support and training required by internship candidates. Interns must also attend and participate in the school district's regular workshops and collaborative monthly meetings with both the site and university support supervisors.

EXC 655I Professional Induction Seminar (Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe) (3 quarter units over a two month time period). This course is added to the schedule upon starting the internship program. A National University mentor will be assigned at this time.

The following two courses will be added to the schedule once the intern has completed all Education Specialist coursework detailed below. The seminar is to be taken along side the 45 days of supervised teaching during which a University designated supervisor along with a district designated supervisor complete a series of observations and evaluations to assess the intern's teaching competencies.

EXC 603A Student Teaching Seminar (1.5 quarter units) to be taken during the "supervised teaching" experience at the end of the program.
EXC 685I Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Mild/Moderate) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)
or
EXC 690I Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Moderate/Severe) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)

Preliminary Teaching Coursework Sequence for Interns

CLD 627 Methodology for Cross-Cultural Instruction (4.5)
 (This course is a required course for the CLAD certificate and fulfills internship requirements)
EXC 602B Field Experience: Inclusive Settings (3)
TED 615 Foundations of Education (4.5)
TED 611 Educational Psychology (4.5)
HED 602 Introductory Health Education: K-12 (4.5)
EDT 608 Computer Based Technology in the Classroom (4.5)
EXC 620 Positive Behavior Support (4.5)
EXC 630 Assessment and Instructional Planning for Special Needs Students (4.5)
TED 621A Language Development Methods for the Elementary School (4.5)
or
TED623 Language Development Methods for secondary and Middle Schools (4.5)
TED621B Reading and language Arts Methods for the Elementary School (4.5)
EXC 650 Consultation and Collaboration for Special Education (4.5)

*At this point the generic core exam must be successfully completed for advancement to advanced specialization coursework.

Advanced Specialization Requirements

EXC 644 Reading and language Arts Methods for Special Education
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)
or
EXC 665 Instruction of Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
EXC 665A Field Study: Instruction of Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (1.5 quarter units)
EXC 615  Technology for Persons with Disabilities
EXC 615A Field Study: Technology for Persons with Disabilities (1.5)

As stated in the Internship Specific Course Requirements section above; the following two courses will be added to the  schedule once the advanced specialization courses are complete. This is the final and culminating portion of the  program. These units do not count twice but are listed here to demonstrate where they will be completed in the  program.

EXC 603A  Student Teaching Seminar (1.5) To be taken during the "supervised teaching" experience at the end of the program (see below).
EXC 685I Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Mild/Moderate) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)
or
EXC 690I Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Moderate/Severe) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)

Interns must also successfully complete the Exit exam, the special education internship experience and the RICA exam. Following this, candidates may apply for the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential.

Post-Internship Requirements

The CLAD Certificate may be filed if candidates have completed CLD 627 Methodology for Cross-Cultural Instruction and filed the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential.

INTERNSHIP – PRELIMINARY LEVEL I EDUCATION SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL
Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities with concurrent Multiple or Single Subject Credential with BCLAD option
(TED 26 courses; 99 quarter units)
(BCLAD 27 courses; 103.5 quarter units)

BCLAD students must pass the oral language, grammar, reading and writing proficiency examinations prior to methods courses.

Pre-service Coursework and Field Experience Requirements

The CTC mandates that all approved internship programs require a minimum of 120 clock hours of pre-service coursework (13.5 quarter units) or a combination of coursework and documented field experience/observation/exposure. The pre-service requirement must be met in advance of beginning an internship and functioning as a "teacher of record."
Note: 4.5 quarter units are equal to 40 clock hours.
Note: EXC602A is only 3.0 quarter units for logging of classroom hours but it meets the 40 clock hours of pre-service requirements for internship because of the field observation component of the course

EXC 602A  Field Experience: Special Education (3 quarter units)
EXC 604 Exceptionality and Diversity in the Classroom
and
An additional 4.5 quarter units of coursework or 40 clock hours of field experience/observation/exposure.

Note: Documentation of experience must be on "official" school site or district stationary and signed by the appropriate and fully qualified school site administrator attesting that the intern candidate has completed at least 40 hours of field experience/observation. This experience does not waive any coursework in the program.

Internship Specific Course Requirements

An internship credential is required before enrollment into the following three courses. These courses provide initial and ongoing support and training that internship candidates require. Students must also attend and participate in school district's regular workshops and collaborative monthly meetings with intern and both support supervisors (site and university).

EXC 655I Professional Induction Seminar (Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe) (3 quarter units over a two month time period). This course is added to the schedule upon starting the internship program. A National university mentor will be assigned at this time.

The following two courses will be added to the schedule once the intern has completed all Education Specialist coursework detailed below. The seminar is to be taken along side the 45 days of supervised teaching during which a University designated supervisor along with a district designated supervisor complete a series of observations and evaluations to assess the Intern's teaching competencies.

EXC 603A  Student Teaching Seminar (1.5 quarter units) to be taken during the "supervised teaching" experience at the end of the program
EXC 685I  Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Mild/Moderate) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)
or
EXC 690I Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Moderate/Severe) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)

Preliminary Teaching Coursework Sequence for Interns

EXC 602B Field Experience: Inclusive Settings (3 quarter units)
TED 621B Reading and Language Arts Methods for the Elementary School
HED 602 Introductory Health Education: K-12
EDT 608 Computer-Based Technology in the Classroom
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
or
TED 623 Language Development Methods for Secondary and Middle Schools
TED or BTE 622B Curriculum and Instruction II: Mathematics and Science (MS)
or
TED or BTE 625A Curriculum and Development for Secondary and Middle Schools (SS)

TED or BTE 622A Curriculum and Instruction I: History, Social Science, PE, Visual and Performing Arts (MS)
or
TED or BTE 625B Instruction and Classroom Management for Secondary and Middle Schools (SS)
EXC 650 Consultation and Collaboration for Special Education

*At this point the generic core exam must be successfully completed for advancement to the advanced specialization coursework.

Advanced Specialization Requirements

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)
or
EXC 665 Instruction of Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
EXC 665A Field Study: Instruction of Learners with Moderate/Severe 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)

As stated in the Internship Specific Course Requirements section above; the following two courses will be added to the schedule once the advanced specialization courses are complete. This is the final and culminating portion of the program. These units do not count twice but are listed here to demonstrate where they will be completed in the program.

EXC 603A  Student Teaching Seminar (1.5 quarter units) to be taken during the "supervised teaching" experience at the end of the program
EXC 685I  Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Mild/Moderate) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)
or
EXC 690I Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Moderate/Severe) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)

*At this point students must successfully complete the special education exit exam, the special education internship experience and the RICA exam.

Post-Internship Coursework
(TED 4 courses; 16.5 quarter units)
(BCLAD 5 courses; 21 quarter units)

BTE 612 History and Culture of Latinos in the United States (BCLAD students only)
TED 615 Educational Foundations
TED 629 Student Teaching Seminar (must be taken concurrently with student teaching)
TED or BTE 630A Beginning Student Teaching
TED or BTE 630B Student Teaching (Teacher Education)

*At this point the student must successfully pass the multiple or single subject exit portfolio. An application can be filed for the multiple or single subject credential and the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential.

Note: If the teacher education portion of the program is not completed at the time of applying for the Education Specialist Credential, then CLD627 will need to be completed in order to be recommended for the CLAD certificate.

The following must be in student's file prior to filing for a credential:

  • Successful completion of the exit process, including passing the Exit Exam and portfolio.
  • Proof of passing the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
  • Zero account balance
  • Completion of a minimum of 31 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.

PRELIMINARY LEVEL I:
EDUCATION SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL:
DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING INTERNSHIP WITH CLAD CERTIFICATE
(781-373)
(24 courses; 103.5 quarter units)

Admission to the Program

Submit the following application documentation in ONE complete packet:

  • Application for Admission to Education of the Deaf graduate program
  • CD or DVD portfolio of ASL Fluency (video samples, 10 to 12 minutes maximum in length) including the following content:
     1. Introduce yourself and discuss your sign language acquisition experience
     2. Narrate an ASL story
     3. Narrate a selected work of children's literature
  • Intermediate proficiency or better in American Sign Language competencies as assessed by Proficiency Interview
  • Personal and professional goals essay (a writing sample, 1 full single spaced page maximum)

Send ONE complete application packet to
DHH Lead Faculty Advisor
National University
11255 North Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037-1011

Prerequisite Courses
(10 courses; 43.6 quarter units)

PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology or equivalent coursework
PSY 301 Child Development
PSY 427 Biological Psychology
PSY 431 Theories and Techniques of Psychological Testing
HED 602 Introductory Health Education: K-12
EDT 608 Computer based Technology in the Classroom
EXC 603 Typical and Atypical Development in Young Children
EXC 604 Exceptionality and Diversity in the Classroom
EXC 602B Field Experience: Inclusive Settings (3 quarter units)
CLD 627 Methodology for Cross-Cultural Instruction

United State Constitution Requirement: pass test or submit course transcript
Internship Specific Course Requirements
(3 courses; 10.5 quarter units)

An internship credential is required before enrollment into the following three courses. These courses provide initial and ongoing support and training that internship candidates require. Students must also attend and participate in school district's regular workshops and collaborative monthly meetings with intern and both support supervisors (site and university).

EXC 655I Professional Induction Seminar for the Internship Program (3 quarter units)

The following two courses will be added to the schedule once the intern has completed all Education Specialist coursework detailed below. The seminar is to be taken along side the 45 days of supervised teaching during which a University designated supervisor along with a district designated supervisor complete a series of observations and evaluations to assess the Intern's teaching competencies.

DHH 609 Student Teaching Seminar (3 quarter units)
 (Must be taken concurrently with student teaching)
DHH 608I Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)

Interdisciplinary Core Courses
(3 courses; 13.5 quarter units)

TED 615 The Foundations of Education
EXC 620 Supporting Positive Behavior
TED 621A Language Development Methods in Elementary School

Core Courses for the Education Specialist: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Credential
(8 courses; 36 quarter units)

DHH 600 Introduction to Bilingual Education of Learners who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing: Theory and Practice
DHH 601 Signed Language Acquisition and Development
DHH 602 Written and Spoken Acquisition and Development
DHH 603 Assessment of Learners who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing
DHH 604 Development of Literacy with Learners who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing
DHH 605 Teaching Deaf Learners with Additional Special Needs
DHH 606 Curriculum and Instruction in Programs for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Learners
DHH 607 Bilingual – Multicultural Education of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Learners

As stated in the Internship Specific Course Requirements section above; the following two courses will be added to the schedule once the core courses are complete. This is the final and culminating portion of the program. These units do not count twice but are listed here to demonstrate where they will be completed in the program.

DHH 609 Student Teaching Seminar (3 quarter units)
 (Must be taken concurrently with student teaching)
DHH 608I Supervised Student Teaching for Interns (Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing) (4.5 quarter units over a 45 day time period)

Exit Requirements

  • Pass all required coursework with a B average. No grades of D or F are accepted.
  • Pass the RICA
  • Valid CPR card (Infant, Child, and Adult)
  • Certificate of clearance (including fingerprint clearance)
  • Letter of recommendation from Master Teacher
  • Comprehensive Examination
  • Apply for credential and CLAD certificate.