EDUCATION SPECIALIST: MODERATE/SEVERE DISABILITIES (K-grade 12)
Moderate/Severe (MS) Disabilities
Education Specialist Preliminary Level I Credential with an English Learner Authorization
The Department of Special Education
ACT PROGRAM (42 UNITS)
The Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Preparation Program in moderate/severe disabilities is a post BA full time three-semester program, offered collaboratively with District 2 in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Candidates must meet admission requirements as detailed in the credential application.
Semester 1 (Fall) Required with SPED 579 ACT Field Experience
- ELPS 541A Getting Started: Introduction to Teaching in Urban Schools (1)
- SPED 541B Getting Started: Introduction to Teaching in Urban Schools (1)
- SPED 577ACT Foundations of Special Education (2)
- SPED 504MS Teaching Diverse Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3)
- EED 520 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School (3)
- EED 577 Language Arts and ESL Instruction (3)
- EED 565M Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (2)
- EED 515 Basic Technology Methods (2) (optional)
- SPED 579ACT ACT Fieldwork with Exceptional Learners/Seminar (4)
Semester 2 (Spring) Required Prior to SPED 580MS: Advanced Fieldwork
- ELPS 542A Meeting the Needs of All Students in Urban Schools (2)
- SPED 542B Meeting the Needs of All Students in Urban Schools (1)
- SPED 402A Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Support (3)
- SPED 505MS Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with MS Disabilities (3)
- SPED 581 (3) Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
- SPED Elective (SPED 640, SPED 642, SPED 652, SPED 655, SPED 505MM) (3)
Required Prior to SPED 580MS: Advanced Fieldwork
- Basic Skills Requirement: Passage of CSET Multiple Subject Exam and CSET Writing Skills Exam (recommended option for individuals interested in elementary education) or passage of a CSET Single Subject Exam or completion of Approved Subject Matter Program and passage of the CBEST (recommended option for individuals interested in secondary education)
- Writing Proficiency (CBEST writing score of 41 or better or Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam with a score of 10 or better or ENGL 305 or ENGL 406 or COMS 321)
- Approved Subject Matter Program or Examination(s)
- Fingerprint Clearance
- Approval for Student Teaching
Semester 3 (Fall)
- SPED 580MS Student Teaching and Seminar in MS Disabilities with a grade of “B” or better (6 units) (Application for student teaching is required in the semester prior to student teaching.)
Other Program Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- U.S. Constitution (course or exam)
- Passage of Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) or hold Valid California Teaching Credential (Must hold valid California Teaching Credential at the time of applying for this credential in order to be exempt from RICA).
- Overall GPA of 2.75 since admission with cumulative 3.0 GPA in professional education courses. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses.