Specialization Areas

The Education Specialist credential authorizes services in the following specialization areas:

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)

Teaching students who are deaf and hard of hearing; authorizes service to individuals from birth to age 22.

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Serving children with mild, moderate, severe, or multiple impairments, and their families; authorizes service from birth through pre-kindergarten.

Mild/Moderate (MM)

Teaching students with autism, emotional disturbance, specific learning, mild to moderate intellectual, and other health impairments; authorizes service in grades K-12 and for adults through age 22.

Moderate/Severe (MS)

Teaching students with severe autism, multiple impairments, moderate to severe intellectual impairment, deaf-blindness and emotional disturbance; authorizes service in grades K-12 and for adults through age 22.

Academic Pathways

Traditional Credential Program: (serves all specialization areas)

• flexible – full or part time
• fits the needs of most candidates
• may enter the credential program in fall or spring semester
• courses offered late afternoon and evening
• includes coursework, field experiences and seminars

Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) (MM, MS)

• collaboration between CSUN and LAUSD
• full time late afternoons and evenings for coursework and on site during the day
• cohort atmosphere with personalized advising and guaranteed course enrollment
• one on one coaching by experienced classroom teachers
• completed in two semesters for candidates in mild/moderate and three semesters for candidates in moderate/severe

Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP Junior Option) (MM, MS)

• leads to a bachelor’s degree and Education Specialist Credential concurrently
• lower division requirements and junior standing must be achieved
• full or part time
• courses are not cohorted
• includes coursework, field experiences and seminars
• may enter the credential program in fall of spring semester

Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP Freshman Option) (MM, MS)

• leads to a Bachelor’s degree and Education Specialist Credential concurrently
• must be college ready for math and science
• full time
• coursework, field experiences and seminars
• may enter the credential program in fall semester only

Internship Program (serves all specialization areas)

• open to those with an offer of full time employment in a public or charter special education position
• complete coursework while on the job
• courses offered late afternoon or evening
• includes coursework, field experiences and seminars