Education Specialist Credential Program, Level I

Authorization in mild/moderate and/or moderate/severe disabilities. Level I courses prepare individuals to perform the duties required of entry-level special education teaching positions.  Candidates in the Education Specialist Credential program will first earn a Preliminary Level I Credential.

Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria to be eligible for the Education Specialist Level I Program:

1. Demonstration of Subject Matter Competence through passage of CSET: Multiple Subjects (Scores valid for five years from date of test passage and must be valid at the time credential is completed)
2. G.P.A. of at least 2.75 in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units or 2.67 overall G.P.A.
3. CBEST attempted (passage of CBEST is preferred)
4. Completion of a field experience of 45 hours in a K- 12 general education setting
5. Fingerprint Clearance
6. TB Clearance
7. Successful interview with program faculty
8. Completion of program prerequisites

Please contact the Teacher Preparation Advising Center in ED1-67, telephone 562-985-9259, or email escp@csulb.edu for more information about admission to this program. The Center also offers free workshops for the CBEST, CSET, and RICA exams.

Please note that the application to CSULB is separate from the application to the Education Specialist Credential Program. You must be matriculated in the University in order to register ahead for courses.

Application to CSULB: The CSULB application period for Spring 2009 is August 1 - November 15, 2008. Apply online at www.csumentor.edu. DO NOT submit test scores, letters of recommendation or an essay with this application. You will submit these items with your program application at a later date.

If you wish to take prerequisite courses in Fall 2008, and have missed the University deadline for admission, you may attempt to take courses on a "space available" basis in the Fall. Please visit http://www.uces/csulb.edu/OpenUniversity/ for more information.

Application to the Credential Program:

Program Application Periods (Students must be currently enrolled in or have successfully completed program prerequisites prior to application to the credential program.):

January 2 - March 1 for the Summer/Fall Semesters

July 1 - August 1 for the Fall semester

August 1 - October 1 for the Spring Semester

Complete Level I application packets must be submitted to the Teacher Preparation Advising Center in ED1-67, prior to the application deadline. Candidates who pass the paper screening will be invited to an interview with program faculty. Admission decisions are based on a thorough review of the application materials and the interview with program faculty.

FALL 2007 PROGRAM INFORMATION AND APPLICATION MEETINGS FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE EDUCATION SPECIALIST LEVEL I AND INTERN CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS:

Education Specialist Level I  Program Requirements

PREREQUISITE COURSES* (12 units; MUST BE COMPLETED OR IN PROGRESS BEFORE ENROLLING IN LEVEL I COURSES):

• ED P 301 - Child Development (3 units)
  OR
  ED P 302 - Adolescent Development (3 units)
• EDSP 350 - Education of Exceptional Individuals (3 units)
• EDSP 454 - Development of Communication Skills in Bilingual Contexts (3 units)
• ETEC 444 - Computer Technology in Education I (3 units)
  OR Passage of CSET Preliminary Educational Technology Examination

You may submit a program application packet while enrolled in these courses.

LEVEL I COURSES (21 units)

• EDSP 480 - Foundations of Inclusive Education in a Diverse Society   (3 units)
• EDP 405 - Positive Strategies for Classroom Management (3 units)
• EDEL 452 - Teaching Reading, K-8 (3 units)
• EDEL 462 - Teaching Mathematics in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms (3 units)
• EDSP 564 - Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Disabilities (3 units)
• EDSP 567 - Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Disabilities: Literacy, Communication, Social and Physical Education (3 units)
• EDSP 569 - Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Disabilities: Math, Science, and Life Skills (3 units)

LEVEL I FINAL FIELD STUDY (12 units)

• EDSP 587 A    Advanced Field Study and Seminar (6 units)
• EDSP 588 B     Advanced Field Study and Seminar (6 units)

NOTE: Students pursuing dual M/M/S authorization must complete an additional 6 units of field studies.

The candidate must have applied for a Certificate of Clearance, passed CBEST, attended the fieldwork information meeting, and have an up-to-date advisement plan reflecting field study in order to apply for Final Field Study. EDSP 587/588 A & B may be taken concurrently under certain conditions with advisor approval.   

* Please note that the prerequisite course requirements for the Education Specialist Intern Program are different than those in the traditional program. Please refer to the Intern Program website listed on the left side of this page for more information on our Intern Program in special education.

English Learner Authorization

The Education Specialist Level I Credential Program has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the English Learner (EL) authorization. Candidates will earn their EL authorization upon completion of the Level I credential program and will not need to take any additional coursework/tests to earn the CLAD certificate.

Last update: 7/30/08