Program Overview

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Education Specialist Credential Program (ESCP)

The Education Specialist Credential Program (ESCP) at California State University Long Beach prepares candidates to teach individuals in the areas of Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) and/or Extensive Support Needs (ESN). Completion of the program leads to the issuance of the Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Program Overview

The ESCP is designed to assist candidates in becoming effective and caring teachers, partners with parents and others in the development of high-quality educational programs, and lifelong learners engaged in program development reflective of best practices in special education. The program themes emphasize current issues of importance to the field of special education, including individualized education, collaboration, cultural responsiveness and sustaining practices, evidence-based practices, and advocacy and leadership.

Program Options and Pathways

The ESCP offers several pathways leading to the California Preliminary Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) and/or Extensive Support Needs (ESN) Education Specialist Credential, including:

• Post-Bac Traditional Pathway: For students who have received a Bachelor's Degree or will graduate prior to the end of their Credential Program.
• ESCP Post-Bac Intern Pathway: For students who have been admitted to the credential program at CSULB, met all intern eligibility requirements, and have been offered a full-time position as a teacher of record in a school or district with an Intern Agreement with CSULB.
• Undergraduate Liberal Studies Pathway (ITEP Program): For Juniors or Seniors who have declared the Liberal Studies ITEP major at CSULB.

Admission Requirements

Candidates must meet the following admission criteria to be eligible for full admission to the Education Specialist Credential Program:

• Submission of a complete application on MyCED prior to the appropriate deadline
• G.P.A. of at least 2.5 in an acceptable earned baccalaureate degree, or a grade point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units
• Completion and passage of oral interview with program faculty
• Current TB test verification
• Valid CTC Clearance (Certificate of Clearance, 30-Day Sub Permit, Activity Supervisor Permit, Child Development Permit, or Multiple or Single Subject Credential)
• Provide verification of subject-matter competence by passing the appropriate subject matter examination(s), through completion of a CTC-approved Subject Matter Program, or through completion of an approved bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies or an exact Single Subject area

Program Policies

Policies will be reviewed each semester and updated as needed by program faculty. Candidates are required to review the ESCP Policies at the start of each semester. Policies will be posted on Beachboard and on the ESCP website.

Course Equivalency

Course equivalency requests for pre-requisite courses from other institutions should be submitted and approved prior to submission of a program application. The Education Specialist Credential Program accepts up to 9 units of course equivalencies from other institutions. Courses must have been taken within 7 years and must remain valid through recommendation of your credential.

Student Teaching

Student Teaching is the culminating clinical practice experience in the Education Specialist Credential Program. It is completed during the final semester(s) of the program where ESCP candidates apply and integrate the pedagogy they have learned in their other coursework to actual classroom experience. Traditional ESCP Preliminary candidates meet student teaching requirements based on their credential program pathway. Candidates pursuing a second credential will complete a shortened student teaching experience of 5 full days a week for 8 weeks of the semester.

Internship Pathway

The Education Specialist Credential Program Internship Pathway is designed for candidates who have been admitted to the Post-Baccalaureate Education Specialist Credential Program, hold a Bachelor's degree, have met all internship eligibility requirements, and have been offered full-time employment as the teacher of record in a public school district or charter school with a CSULB-approved Internship Agreement on file.

Requirements to Advance to Student Teaching

To advance to Student Teaching, candidates must:

• Be admitted to CSULB as a matriculate student
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA in pedagogy/methods courses with no grade lower than "C" in any program course
• Provide valid CTC Clearance (Certificate of Clearance, Multiple or Single Subject Credential, Education Specialist Credential, Child Development Permit, Activity Supervisor Permit, Valid Credential, or valid 30-Day Sub Permit)
• Submit official proof of meeting the Subject Matter competency requirement through official passing CSET scores, transcripts showing a degree in an exact credential area, or verification of meeting subject matter competency through a coursework evaluation
• Submit a complete application packet via DocuSign by the deadline

Education Specialist Credential Program Courses

The program consists of 10 courses (2 pre-requisites and 8 core courses) plus a semester of student teaching for a total of 39 units. The courses include:

• EDSP 410: Inclusive and Equitable Practices in Special Education
• EDSP 454: Academic Language Development and Inclusive Instruction for English Language Learners
• UDCP 400: Foundations of Teaching & Learning in Diverse Inclusive Settings
• UDCP 401: Positive Behavior Supports
• EDEL 452: Teaching and Learning Reading
• EDSP 518: Integrated Math Instruction Across Content Areas
• EDSP 534: Collaboration and Transition in Special Education
• EDSP 558: Literacy for Students with Diverse Abilities
• EDSP 564: Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Disabilities
• EDSP 577: Instructional Methods and Strategies for Individuals with Mild/Moderate Support Needs
• EDSP 578: Instructional Methods and Strategies for Individuals with Extensive Support Needs

Student Teaching Application

The Student Teaching Application is due by the specified deadline for the semester in which the candidate plans to student teach. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. The application requires:

• Student Teaching Placement Information form
• $25 Credit Card receipt
• Current CSULB Unofficial Transcript
• Proof of valid CTC Certificate
• Proof of meeting the Subject Matter Competency Requirement
• Proof of Valid TB Test
• Proof of Valid CPR (if available)