Frequently Asked Questions about Credentials in Special Education
APPLICATION
1. How do I apply to credential program in Special Education?
First, you need to be admitted to California State University, Northridge. If you are not already a student at the University then obtain an application from the Office of Admissions and Records (LINK). Second, obtain a credential program application packet for the area of specialization from the Credential Preparation Office (LINK). You need to identify the specialization area in which you want to get a credential. Applications are accepted at any time. You should also attend a formal orientation meeting at the Credential Preparation Office (LINK).
2. What Special Education Credential Program should I apply for?
You should determine the age group and specialization area that you are interested in. The Department of Special Education at CSU, Northridge offers the following credentials: Deaf and Hard of Hearing (birth to grade 12) Early Childhood Special Education (birth to preK) Mild/Moderate Disabilities (K- grade 12) Moderate/Severe Disabilities (K- grade 12) (LINK to SarahÕs info)
3. Do I need to pass the CBEST before I apply to the credential program?
If you do not already have a valid teaching credential, you must submit proof that you have taken the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or proof of application for a test that will be administered prior to your admittance to the program. Prelingually deaf students should inquire at the Credential Preparation Office about waiver of CBEST (LINK)
4. If IÕm interested in the Early Childhood Special Education Credential are there other tests that I need to take?
There are no other admission tests required for the Early Childhood Special Education Program. If you do not have an undergraduate major in Child Development, then you will need 12 upper division or graduate units of early childhood or child development coursework.
5. If IÕm working on a mild/moderate, moderate/severe, or deaf and hard of hearing preliminary credential, what other tests do I need to take?
Applicants to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities credential areas must verify subject matter knowledge either by completing an approved subject matter program or by examination. The elementary school option is the Multiple Assessment for Teachers (MSAT) or a Liberal Studies major. The secondary school option is the PRAXIS and SSAT examinations or the approved subject matter program in your field. Candidates for the Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities or Deaf and Hearing credentials must also pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Exam. ENROLLMENT IN COURSEWORK
6. How do I know what courses to take?
Once you are admitted to the credential program, call the Special Education office (818) 677-2596 and make appointment with a faculty advisor in your specialization area. The faculty advisor will complete and submit your program plan (LINK TO SARAHÕS INFO)
7. Can I work full time and take courses at the same time?
Courses in the credential program are scheduled in the afternoons 4:20pm-7pm or from 7pm to 10 pm for the convenience of students who are interns and emergency credentialed teachers or who are otherwise employed. However, courses will require assignments and observations in various settings during the school day.
8. How many units and how long will it take to complete my credential?
Required coursework for Level I preliminary credential programs range from 35 to 57 units depending on the specialization area and the applicantÕs undergraduate major and educational background. You should discuss course requirements with a faculty advisor to determine your program plan. Most students who are working full time take 6 units a semester. Once you have completed Level I requirements for a preliminary credential and are employed as a teacher, you will need to apply for the Level II credential program to obtain a clear credential The number of units in the Level II program are determined to meet individual professional development needs.
9. What alternative ways are there to obtaining a teaching credential?
The Department of Special Education
offers the following alternative ways to obtain a teaching credential in the
Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, and Deaf and Hard
of Hearing Specializations: Accelerated Collaborative Teacher Preparation (ACT)
Program is a full time 36 unit one year designed for candidates in the specialization
areas of Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities or the Deaf and Hard
of Hearing who have completed a bachelorÕs degree. Candidates in the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing specialization have to complete additional specialization coursework.
For information contact Dr. Nancy Burnstein nancy.burnstein@csun.edu Intern
Program is a two year program for interns in the areas of Deaf and Hard of Hearing,
Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities employed by Los Angeles Unified
School District or the Antelope/Santa Clarita Valley School Districts. For information
contact Dr. Nancy Burstein
10. Can I apply courses I have taken previously to satisfy current credential requirements?
The Department of Special Education has policies regarding the "age" of coursework (not more than 10 years old), passing grade (a B or better), at an appropriate level (upper division or graduate level depending on the course), and your current knowledge of course content. You should obtain transcripts, catalog course descriptions, and other documents to verify content of past coursework and meet with a faculty advisor in the Department of Special Education to receive advisement regarding these matters.
11. May I take courses required for the credential through Open University?
If you have not been admitted to the University and you want to begin taking courses in the credential program though the Open University (LINK), you should get approval from the Department of Special Education and meet with a faculty advisor in the Department of Special Education to develop your program plan. You should attend class during the first week of the semester and if space is available, with the instructorÕs approval, you may register at the College of Extended Learning (LINK). You are limited to 9 units through Open University take towards the credential.
12. What should I do if I miss the preregistration period or need to add a class that is full when I try to enroll?
You should attend class during the first week of the semester and let the instructor know about your desire to enroll in the course. If space is available, the instructor will allow you to enroll in the course.
13. What happens if my GPA falls below 3.0 during the program?
You will be placed on academic probation if your GPA falls below 3.0 in all units attempted since admission to the credential program. In the following semester you must increase your GPA to 3.0 or above or you will be disqualified from the program. STUDENT TEACHING
14. If I am an emergency credentialled teacher, can I student teach in my own classroom?
Approval to student teach on-the-job is contingent on the following: (a) you must be able to demonstrate the competencies required for the area of specialization (LINK), (b) you must have a recommendation from your program or site administrator, (c) you must identify an onsite supervisor.
15. Can I student teach in the summer or when my own class is off track?
You must be able to meet the number of hours of student teaching experience required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and demonstrate required professional competencies (see # 16).
16. When do I apply for student teaching?
You should apply to the Credential Preparation Office the semester before you plan to student teach (LINK). March 15th is the deadline for applying to student teach in the fall semester and October 15th is the deadline for applying to student teach in the Spring semester.
17. What are the student teaching requirements?
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires candidates to complete a specific number of hours of student teaching. The Department of Special Education requires at least one semester of student teaching in each specialization area (with the exception of the infant internship) so that candidates have sufficient time to demonstrate required professional competencies. For the Early Childhood Special Education Credential, candidates are required to complete one semester of student teaching in a preschool assignment and 100 hours in an early intervention assignment. In addition to the faculty supervisor from the Department of Special Education, traditional student teachers have a master teacher and on-the-job student teachers have an onsite supervision. Student teachers receive mid-term and final evaluations.
LEVEL II
18. What happens after I pass student teaching?
During the final semester in which you are completing the requirements for a Level I preliminary credential, you should file an application for the credential. If you are not employed or do not have an offer of employment, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility that can be converted to a Level I credential when you are employed as a teacher in special education. If you are employed or have an offer of employment as a teacher in special education, you will receive a Preliminary Level I credential that is valid for a 5 year period during which you must complete requirements for a level II credential.
19. How do I apply for the Level II Program?
Within 120 days of receiving a level I preliminary credential, you should apply to the Credential Preparation Office (LINK) for a Level II program. Information is also available in the University catalog (LINK).
20. What are the requirements of the Level II Program?
The Level II program involves an induction period of at least two years and varies between 18 - 27 units depending on the candidateÕs individual professional development and educational background. During that period, in collaboration with a university advisor and a support provider from the district of employment, each candidate develops an induction plan based on individual needs for professional development. In addition to the initial seminar SPED 628 Level II: Induction and Support and the final seminar SPED 629 Level II: Assessment of Professional Competence, there are specialization requirements and the state requirement of a course in health and computers to complete the requirements for the Professional Clear (Level II) Educational Specialist Credential.
21. What is the difference between the M.A. and credential programs?
If you want to teach for a school district or other public school program, you will need a teaching credential. If you are interested in research and additional knowledge and skill in data-based practices and the literature in special education, you may be interested in the M.A. program in Special Education. You will need to identify your specialization area. For application requirements to the M.A. program see the University information on graduate programs (LINK).
22. Can I work on an M.A and a credential at the same time?
If you are admitted to both the credential and masterÕs program, you can work on both the credential and masterÕs requirements at the same time. Many courses in Special Education may fulfill requirements for both programs. You should meet with a faculty advisor once you are admitted to either program to discuss your program plan.
23. What resources are available to students who have a disability?
A student with a disability should ensure that he or she receives needed accommodations by registering with the National Center for the Deaf (LINK) if he or she has a hearing loss, or with the Center on Disabilities (LINK) if he or she has any other disability. Students should submit requests to the National Center for the Deaf or the Center on Disabilities for needed accommodations i.e., additional time for tests, notetaker, sign language interpreter. They should notify instructors of these accommodations during the first class meeting.