MILD/MODERATE, MODERATE/SEVERE, DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING WITH MULTIPLE OR SINGLE SUBJECT CREDENTIAL
The Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes the holder to teach in the area of specialization Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe or Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing in the following settings: special day classes; special schools; home/hospital settings; correctional facilities; nonpublic schools and agencies; resource rooms
Mild/Moderate Disabilities (M/M)
Includes autism, specific learning disabilities; mild to moderate mental retardation; attention deficit and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders; serious emotional disturbance; and authorizes service in grades K–12 and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.
Moderate/Severe Disabilities (M/S)
Includes autism; deaf-blindness; moderate to severe mental retardation; multiple disabilities; serious emotional disturbance; and authorizes service in grades K–12 and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.
DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING (DHH)
Includes deaf-blind; deaf-autism; deaf with other special needs; and authorizes service to individual’s age birth through 22 and in classes organized primarily for adults in services across the continuum of program options available.
In addition to the above credential admission requirements, candidates must also submit a completed application packet to the DHH Program Lead. See program admission information listed with the specific program coursework.
Admissions Requirements
Candidates requesting to be admitted to an Education Specialist with Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing authorizations with Multiple or Single Subject Credential Program must follow the steps listed under the Graduate Admission area of the catalog. In addition to the previously referenced Graduate Admission Process, candidates must also meet the Credentials Admissions requirements.
Admissions Requirements
1. Complete the Credential Orientation
2. Interview with an Education Specialist faculty member
3. Complete a Credential Packet including:
• The Acknowledgement of Terms and Agreements
• Student Teaching Request Form
• Negative TB test results
• Proof of Fingerprint Clearance
• *Proof of attempt to pass or passage of Basic Skills Assessment is required for admittance to the program (Proof of passage is mandatory prior to clinical practice)
• Proof of Subject Matter Competency may be shown by one of scenarios listed below (Proof of passage is mandatory prior to clinical practice) The Education Specialist Credential programs admit only those candidates who meet one of the following criteria:
• The candidate provides evidence of registration for the next scheduled examination.
• The candidate provides evidence of having attempted the appropriate subject matter examination(s).
• The candidate provides evidence of having completed a Commission approved appropriate subject matter preparation program (Single Subject Candidates only).
• The candidate provides evidence of enrollment in an organized subject matter examination preparation program.
*DHH candidates may waive the Basic Skills Assessment based upon prelingual deafness
A Certificate of Clearance is required prior to scheduling any coursework with a field experience component.
Program Specific Requirements
Candidates must qualify for their program specific coursework by completing the following:
• Successful completion of all Core coursework
• *Passage of the Basic Skills Assessment
• Completion of Subject Matter Competency in an NCLB Core Academic Subject Area (scores must be valid at the time of recommendation for the preliminary credential)
• Passage of the Generic Core Exam (Basic Skills and Subject Matter must be met prior to taking the Generic Core Exam)
*DHH candidates may waive the Basic Skills Assessment based upon prelingual deafness
All generic core courses are scheduled by an Admissions Advisor. A Credential Program Specialist will schedule the Program Specific courses when candidates meet all of the requirements listed above.
Clinical Practice Requirements
In addition to meeting the general and program specific admission and program specific requirements please see the Student Teaching and Internship requirements below.
Student Teaching Requirements
All test results must remain valid throughout your program and to apply for your preliminary credential. All of the following clinical practice requirements must be met 90 days prior to Student Teaching:
• Successful completion of all Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe and DHH coursework
• Submit an application for Student Teaching to a Credential Program Specialist 90 days prior to the requested student teaching start date
• Interview with an Education Specialist faculty member
• 3.0 GPA (grades of “D”, “F”, or “U” are not accepted)
• Maintain a Zero Account Balance
• American Sign Language Proficiency Exam (DHH Candidates
Only)
Student Teaching Requirements for Dual Candidates*
In addition to the above Student Teaching requirements, Dual Candidates must also complete TPA Task 1 and TPA Task 2 before they are cleared for Clinical Practice.
*Dual candidates are those students pursuing an Education Specialist Credential in combination with a Preliminary Multiple or Single Subject Credential.
UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIP
The University Internship route provides an opportunity for candidates who have been offered employment to complete their clinical practice, while employed in an appropriate position as an Education Specialist Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe or Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing teacher of record. This experience is a partnership between the candidate, National University, and the employer meant to support the candidate in an environment similar to that authorized by the Preliminary credential obtained at the end of the program.
National University candidates 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. Candidates on permanent academic probation are not eligible for the National University Internship Program. Once intern eligible, candidates must apply for an Internship Credential that is valid for two years and issued specifically for the site of hire.
Prerequisites
• Proof of fingerprint clearance
• Conferred Bachelor’s Degree
• Passage of the Basic Skills Assessment
• Completion of Subject Matter Competency in an NCLB Core Academic Subject Area (scores must be valid at the time of recommendation for the intern credential)
• Completion of U.S. Constitution requirement met by exam, transcript verifying completed U.S. Constitution coursework or CSU Bachelor’s degree
• Negative TB test (valid within the last four years)
• 120 hours of pre-service met by coursework
• Contract Agreement (MOU) on file between the employing District, School or Agency and National University
• 3.0 GPA (grades of “D” and “F” are not accepted)
• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
• Zero account balance
• Eligibility Requirements
In addition to completion of all internship prerequisites, candidates are required to verify completion of the following Intern Eligibility:
• Verification of internship program prerequisites
• Completed Internship participation form
• District or agency provisional offer of employment for the intern as a full time teacher of record in a setting appropriate for the credential being sought with a minimum of 20 instructional hours per week
• Internship Eligibility Packet complete and on file with Credentials Department
• Verification of intern eligibility determined in an interview by lead internship faculty
Completion Requirements
In addition to the above requirements listed for admission, program specific and clinical practice, the following must be completed and documentation submitted to a Credential Program Specialist to be recommended for a California Credential:
• Completion of U.S. Constitution requirement met by exam, transcript verifying completed U.S. Constitution coursework or CSU Bachelor’s degree
• Proof of passing the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). Scores must be valid at the time of recommendation*
• CPR certification for Infant, Child, and Adult (must be valid when candidate applies for teaching credential)
• Successful completion of an Exit Exam
• 3.0 GPA (grades of “D”, “F”, or “U” are not accepted)
• Zero Account Balance
*DHH candidates may waive the RICA exam based upon prelingual deafness
Completion Requirements For Dual Candidates
Dual candidates must also complete all four TPA Tasks in order to be recommended for their Multiple or Single Subject credential.
National University cannot recommend Dual candidates for a Preliminary Single Subject Credential prior to passage of the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA). The RICA is a California state requirement for all Education Specialist and Multiple Subject Credentials.
CLEAR LEVEL II EDUCATION SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL
Individuals who were issued a Level I Education Specialist Teaching Credential must complete a Commission-approved professional teacher program in order to obtain the Clear Level II Education Specialist Credential.
• Valid Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Credential
• Verification of current Education Specialist employment with probable duration of two years in the position
• Complete a Credential Packet including the Acknowledgement of Terms and Agreements
COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the above requirements listed for admission the following must be completed and documentation turned into a Credential Program Specialist to be recommended for a California Credential:
• A minimum of two years of successful, full-time teaching experience in the area on the Preliminary credential in the public schools or private schools of equivalent status, as verified by the applicant’s employer
• Successful completion of the program (coursework and approved non-University activities) for the Clear Level II credential within five years.
• Successful completion of an Exit Exam.
• Completion of any needed credential clearing courses.
All Clear Level II Education Specialist credential candidates are required to have successfully completed coursework in Preliminary Level I Educational Technology and Health Education, including valid CPR Certification for Infant, Child and Adult. Candidates will be evaluated for these courses. If these classes have been completed in a Level I program or at another university, the candidate should meet with an admissions or Credential Program Specialist to submit an online equivalency request.
• 3.0 GPA (grades of “D”, “F”, or “U” are not accepted)
• Zero Account Balance
Please contact a Credential Program Specialist for specific information regarding any of the requirements for the Education Specialist programs.
National University is a member of the National University System.