Credential Office

Education Specialist

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 Support Needs (MMSN) and Extensive Support Needs (ESN)

Provide instruction and special education-related services to learners with extensive to mild support needs in kindergarten and grades 1-12, through age 22. Upon completion of the program, candidates will earn two authorizations: (1) mild/moderate support needs, and (2) extensive support needs.

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