Program Overview
The Department of Education and Leadership offers both the California Preliminary Education Specialist Credential: Mild to Moderate Disabilities and the California Preliminary Education Specialist Credential: Moderate to Severe Disabilities*
Mission
The CSUMB Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program equips future special educators with the skills, knowledge and dispositions to effectively teach and support students with disabilities in a variety of educational settings.
Program Details
Program Benefits
- Class meetings to be held at Santa Cruz County Office of Education facilities
- Evening and hybrid classes
- Cohort model
- Faculty with expertise in special education, reading instruction, positive behavior interventions and support, applied behavior analysis, etc.
- Strong partnerships with local school districts
- Curriculum focused on serving diverse populations
- Curriculum supports Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) and Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA)
Admission Requirements
(Priority Deadline Feb 15, 2020; Final Deadline April 1, 2020)
- Bachelor’s Degree with 2.67 cumulative G.P.A.
- TB test
- First Aid & CPR
Application includes:
- Essay
- Resume
- In-person interview
- Two Letters of Reference
- CBEST and CSET
Field Experience Options
Intern Pathway. The first option for completing program field experience requirements is to obtain an Intern Credential. Interns are employed at least half-time by a district in Santa Cruz County. This option requires the completion of summer courses prior to obtaining the intern credential.
Student Teaching Pathway. The second option is to complete the field experience requirements as a Student Teacher. Student Teachers will be placed in a voluntary position with a fully credentialed special educator in Santa Cruz County, and will complete their field experience under the guidance of this Cooperating Teacher.
Otherwise Employed Pathway. The third option is to complete the field experience requirements in an “otherwise employed” arrangement. This includes individuals hired under district-issued teaching permits and classroom instructional assistants. Program coordinator and site administrator approval is required for this option.
If you are interested:
- Complete the Interest Form
- Contact the CSUMB Department of Education and Leadership
- Apply directly for admission at CSUMB
*Depending on the size of the cohort, face to face meetings for one hybrid class in the Moderate to Severe Program may need to meet on the CSUMB Campus (8 total meetings).