Program Overview

Education Specialist Preliminary Credential (MMSN/ESN) Overview

The Education Specialist Preliminary Credential (MMSN/ESN) program is designed for students who desire an understanding of special education with emphasis on specialized and inclusive general education settings. This program is appropriate for students wishing to earn a Preliminary Mild/Moderate and/or Extensive Support Needs Education Specialist Credential. Students take core credential courses in a complete range of instruction, skill development, and professional insights for working with K-12 learners, including English learners. Candidates interested in earning more than one type of teaching authorization should consult with the program chair or primary advisor at the time of admission to map out their course sequence and discuss the student teaching requirements for each authorization. Candidates must be admitted to the correct credential pathway and enroll in student teaching sections that match their placement arrangements. All students must complete fieldwork hours in the state of California. The program length is 2 years, including Summer enrollment. Mild/Moderate Supports Needs education specialists provide instruction and supports in one or more of the following domains: academics, communication, gross/fine motor, social-emotional, behavioral, vocational, and learning environment access skills. Extensive Support Needs education specialists provide intensive instruction and supports in two or more of the following domains: academics, communication, gross/fine motor, social-emotional, behavioral, vocational, and adaptive/daily living skills. The supports for students served in either credential area also often include health, movement, and sensory support.

Admission Requirements

• Completed admission application and application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred GPA of 2.75 or above in undergraduate work and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in any graduate work
• Statement of purpose: addressing the reasons for entering the teaching profession, personal or professional experiences and/or qualifications related to the intended field of study, and perspectives on the relevance and role of cultural competence in teaching (approximately 500-words in length and typewritten)
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to objectively evaluate the candidate's potential to be a competent educator
• Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or Equivalent)
• Current TB Clearance
• Certificate of Clearance

Program Requirements

• CSET or proof of completion of Subject Matter Requirement (required prior to student teaching)
• Subject Matter Requirement Evaluations: matriculated students may request an evaluation to determine if they have course work that sufficiently addresses the domains to meet the state-mandated Subject Matter Requirements (SMR) for their teaching credential subject area
  • SMR evaluations must be completed and approved by a credential analyst at the University of La Verne in order to satisfy the Subject Matter Requirement and to be recommended for the appropriate credential

Credential Requirements

• Total Program: 36 semester hours
• Mild/Moderate Support Needs Core Requirements:
  • EDUC 425: Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject (4 semester hours)
  • EDUC 428: Introductory Teaching Practices, Single Subject (4 semester hours)
  • EDUC 440: Intermediate Teaching Practices, Multiple Subject (4 semester hours)
  • EDUC 492: Subject Specific Pedagogy - Math and Science (4 semester hours)
  • SPED 420: Foundations of Inclusive Education (3 semester hours)
  • SPED 421: Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 1 (1 semester hour)
  • SPED 422: Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 2 (1 semester hour)
  • SPED 430: Assessment Practices and IEP Development (3 semester hours)
  • SPED 450: Inclusive Educational Systems - Law, Behavior and Case Management (3 semester hours)
  • SPED 497: Introduction to Supervised Teaching, Special Education (4 semester hours)
  • SPED 498: Advanced Directed Teaching - Mild/Moderate Support Needs (5 semester hours)
• Extensive Support Needs Core Requirements:
  • EDUC 425: Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject (4 semester hours)
  • EDUC 428: Introductory Teaching Practices, Single Subject (4 semester hours)
  • EDUC 440: Intermediate Teaching Practices, Multiple Subject (4 semester hours)
  • EDUC 492: Subject Specific Pedagogy - Math and Science (4 semester hours)
  • SPED 420: Foundations of Inclusive Education (3 semester hours)
  • SPED 421: Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 1 (1 semester hour)
  • SPED 422: Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 2 (1 semester hour)
  • SPED 430: Assessment Practices and IEP Development (3 semester hours)
  • SPED 450: Inclusive Educational Systems - Law, Behavior and Case Management (3 semester hours)
  • SPED 497E: Introduction to Directed Teaching - Extensive Support Needs (3 semester hours)
  • SPED 498E: Advanced Directed Teaching - Extensive Support Needs (5 semester hours)

Student Teaching Program Prerequisites

• All students must complete fieldwork hours in the state of California
• Student teaching candidates must complete an application and be accepted by the faculty into the student teaching sequence with the following:
  • Introductory Supervised Teaching Requirements:
    • Certificate of Clearance or equivalent fingerprint clearance
    • Demonstration of personal dispositions necessary for teaching (as outlined by the LaFetra College of Education)
    • CPR for adults, infants, and children
    • Current TB clearance
    • Verification of Basic Skills Competence as defined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
    • Successful completion of all pre-student teaching coursework as defined by a GPA of 3.0 or better
    • Speech course or verification
    • US Constitution course or passing test score
    • Health Education/Nutrition/Drug Prevention/Tobacco/Sexually Transmitted Diseases Course Verification
    • Verification of Subject Matter Competence as defined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
  • Advanced Supervised Teaching Requirements:
    • Successful completion of all requirements for Introductory Supervised Teaching

Teacher Performance Assessments

• The California Teacher Assessment Program (TPA) provides teacher candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the teaching performance expectations
• The TPA consists of two tasks embedded within the student teaching experience

Enhanced Intern Credential (Education Specialist)

• Candidates will be eligible for an enhanced intern credential if they have successfully maintained a 3.0 GPA, completed the US Constitution requirement, completed SPED 420 Foundations of Inclusive Education, SPED 430 Assessment Practices and IEP Development, EDUC 425 Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject, EDUC 428 Introductory Teaching Practices, Single Subject, & SPED 421 Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 1, the basic skills and subject matter requirements, and have a contract in a public school
• All candidates must be concurrently enrolled in SPED 459 Intern Teaching, SPED 497 Introduction to Supervised Teaching, Special Education, or SPED 498 Advanced Directed Teaching - Mild/Moderate Support Needs to be eligible for the intern credential

Preliminary Credential Application Requirements

• Successful completion of all requirements for SPED 497 Introduction to Supervised Teaching, Special Education and SPED 498 Advanced Directed Teaching - Mild/Moderate Support Needs
• Maintained a GPA of 3.0 or better in all coursework
• Completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Completed an "Application for Credential"
• Passed culminating TPE Portfolio or Educational Specialist TPA and received credit in SPED 498 Advanced Directed Teaching - Mild/Moderate Support Needs
• Submit a Development/Induction Plan
• Must be cleared by the credential analyst for all remaining requirements
• Pass required Education Specialist Mild/Mod TPA

Clear Credential Application Requirements

• To apply for a Clear Credential with the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, candidates must have completed a professional induction program through their employer within five years of the issuance date of their Preliminary Credential

Dismissal from the Program

• Candidates may be dismissed from the program under several circumstances, including but not limited to:
  • Academic dishonesty
  • Academic disqualification
  • Failure to maintain minimum academic standards
  • Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Removal from a fieldwork placement
  • Unethical or unprofessional conduct
  • Failure of program activities measuring student competencies/or dispositions
  • Circumstance interfering with training or well-being of others
  • Felony conviction
• Candidates dismissed from the program may not apply for readmission

Adding the Master of Arts: Teaching Inclusive Education Degree

• Students who are admitted to the Education Specialist: MMSN or ESN as a "credential only" student may decide at a later time to pursue the Master of Arts: Teaching Inclusive Education degree
• The student must submit an application for admission to the Master of Arts: Teaching Inclusive Education degree
• It is best to apply for admission to the master's degree prior to completing 12 semester units in the credential program
• Students who have completed more than 12 semester units in the credential program at the graduate level must appeal for these units to be accepted into the Master of Arts degree
• The credential courses must not be over five years old at the time of MAT admission
• Graduate students are required to complete all requirements for the master's degree within five years from the first course completed at their time of admission to the MAT program
• If a candidate does not qualify for the Master of Arts: Teaching degree because they completed credential courses as an undergraduate student or for some other reason, but they do have some master's degree applicable courses, they may submit an application for admission to the M.Ed. Special Emphasis degree