Mild/ Moderate Preliminary Credential

4-Semester Option

Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Support Needs.

Note: You can download program requirements as a printable PDF.

After completion of the Preliminary Credential, candidates are eligible to take teaching positions. Following employment as a special education teacher, candidates have 5 years to complete Induction of the Clear Professional Credential.

Course sequence

Prerequisites, 13 units

Historical, legal, and philosophical aspects of special education. Instructional and assessment support for access to general education curriculum. Meets requirements for preliminary multiple, single subject, and education specialist teaching credentials.
Theory, research, and processes in learning in relation to individuals with disabilities. Foundations of learning, development, and intervention.
Observation and participation in general and special education classrooms and related school activities for students with disabilities.
Historical and philosophical perspectives of cultural pluralism in special education and programs related to diverse students with disabilities. Research on curricular approaches and instructional needs. Sociocultural aspects related to disability, race, ethnicity, gender, and language.
Teaching strategies in content specific fields from second language acquisition perspective taken concurrently with student teaching or practicum. May be repeated with new content.
 
  • TE 280 ^ (Health Ed for Teachers) (Must be taken prior to final semester). For further clarification contact the Office for Student Success at (619) 594-6320.
  • CPR Training ^
  • U.S. Constitution **

Semester 1 - Fall, 7 units (+ 5 units intern only)

Educational needs and services for students with serious emotional disturbance. Classroom interventions and procedures.
Definition, etiology, assessment, and instructional practices used to address autism. Historical and current issues.
Positive behavioral supports for students with disabilities in general and special education settings. Current theories and programs in functional assessment and behavioral change. Applications in educational and community environments with diverse students.
Participation in general and special education programs for students with disabilities; supervised by a special educator. Integration and application of skills and knowledge gained in credential coursework. May be repeated in other specialties. Maximum Credits: four units applicable to each credential program.
Research-based instruction to meet the needs of diverse language learners in a variety of classroom settings. Maximum Credits: six units.

Semester 2 - Spring, 5 units (+ 5 units intern only)

Classroom assessment in general and special education for students with mild/moderate disabilities. Curriculum-based data collection strategies. Influences of cultural and linguistic diversity, and implications for curricular and instructional adaptations.
Collaboration, legislation, and individualized special education program planning skills for working with community resources, parents, and school personnel. Goals, interpersonal processes, legal and ethical issues, listening and questioning techniques, objectives, outcomes, and team functions focused on developing and implementing an individualized education plan.
Participation in general and special education programs for students with disabilities; supervised by a special educator. Integration and application of skills and knowledge gained in credential coursework. May be repeated in other specialties. Maximum Credits: four units applicable to each credential program.
Research-based instruction to meet the needs of diverse language learners in a variety of classroom settings. Maximum Credits: six units.

Semester 3 - Fall, 8 units + practicum

Language arts and development, mathematics, and reading for students with disabilities. Ability, cultural, and linguistic differences.
School to adult life transitions for individuals with disabilities. Whole student approaches to include community experiences, employment preferences, friends and extended family, home and school life, and postsecondary goals. 
Selecting, designing, and evaluating appropriate learning experiences to assure children’s growth in reading and language arts. Includes nature of reading and language arts as a human behavior, various approaches, materials, and techniques used in teaching reading and language arts. May be repeated with new content. Maximum Credits: six units.
Participation in general and special education programs for students with disabilities; supervised by a special educator. Integration and application of skills and knowledge gained in credential coursework. May be repeated in other specialties. Maximum Credits: four units applicable to each credential program.
Research-based instruction to meet the needs of diverse language learners in a variety of classroom settings. Maximum Credits: six units.

Semester 4 - Spring, 6 units + practicum

Educational applications of current technologies for learners with disabilities. Selection, modification, and classroom use of technologies to improve or bypass physical, sensory, communicative, learning, and social limitations.
Advanced adaptations in curriculum and instruction in content areas, study skills, organizational strategies, and social and transition skills. English-as-a-second language approaches for students with disabilities. Research and practices related to linguistic, cultural, and ability differences. 
Culminating practicum for Education Specialist Credential. Participation supervised by a special educator. May be repeated in other specialties.
Research-based instruction to meet the needs of diverse language learners in a variety of classroom settings. Maximum Credits: six units.

* Not required for candidates who possess a Multiple Subject or Single-Subject Teaching Credential from a California program sponsor. Individuals who acquired their Multiple Subjects or Single Subjects equivalent credentials outside of California are required to have a course in educational psychology or take this class or submit substitution forms proving course of a similar content was successfully completed at another institution.

** Candidates for the Preliminary credential must demonstrate knowledge of principles and provisions of U.S. Constitution through successful completion of a 3-unit college level course or examination.

# For further clarification contact the Office for Student Success at (619) 594-6320. 

^ Not required for candidates who possess a Multiple or Single Subjects credential inclusive of CLAD or EL authorization. This requirement must include verification of training in Cardiopulmonary (CPR) which covers infant
to child and adult CPR skills.

This information is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to ensure this information is current and accurate. 08/1/22

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