Education Specialist Credential Program, Level II

Program Overview

The Level II Education Specialist Credential Program at CSULB is an advanced professional training program. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that candidates complete Level II within 5 years of the completion of Level I. Candidates must be employed for at least 2 years under a Level I credential to be granted a Level II credential. At CSULB we offer 2 authorization areas for the Level II credential: Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe.

The Level II program is a partnership between the local school districts where candidates are employed and the university teacher training program. Advanced special education coursework is taken at the University, and induction support is provided by a site support provider from the district. University faculty work closely with the site support provider in ensuring that Level II competencies are met.

Program Themes

The CSULB Level II program builds upon the themes of our Level I program, listed below as candidates are inducted into their professional lives as special education teachers in either the mild/moderate disability area or the moderate/severe disability area.

• collaboration
• diversity
• literacy
• technology
• transition

Induction Process

1) The program begins with the development of an Individualized Induction Plan (IIP) which lays out the coursework a candidate plans to take and the non-University professional development activities in which the candidate plans to engage. This IIP must be developed within 120 days of employment upon completion of the Level I credential. The IIP also identifies the area of specific emphasis the candidate will focus on as he/she proceeds through the University coursework and the non-University professional development activities.

2) Once the IIP process has been completed, the candidate begins his/her University coursework and his/her non-University professional development activities. These activities develop expertise in data-based decision making, advanced behavioral, emotional and environmental supports, current and emerging research and practices, transition and transition planning, assessment, curriculum and instruction, collaboration and consultation, advanced communication skills, and leadership and management. Candidates are encouraged to engage in best practices in these areas and to engage in reflective practice. Reflective practice is emphasized across all coursework and non-University professional development activities.

Candidates in the Level II credential program are encouraged to align their course activities with their district-based induction support activities (e.g., BTSA, CFASST events). Though the state has developed induction activities to be used to support all newly credentialed teachers, these activities do vary somewhat across districts and for individual teachers. Hence, there is a need for the candidate, the faculty, and the district based support personnel to identify proper points of alignment. This process is introduced in EDP 546C, our Practicum in Special Education.

Master of Science degree program in Special Education

Candidates in the Level II credential program are also encouraged to apply for our Master of Science in Special Education program as we have designed the credential program in alignment with our Masters degree program. Our credential and Masters degree program are therefore both rigorous and require advanced academic skills though the 2 programs have different outcomes. Separate applications to both programs are required for candidates who plan to obtain both the Level II credential and the Master of Science degree in Special Education.

Application process

Admission deadlines are March 1 for the Fall Semester, and October 1 for the Spring Semester. Admission information and forms are available at  the Graduate Programs office at 562-985-8476. Admission forms can also be downloaded by clicking on the Documents and Forms link to the left of this page.

Students currently in the Education Specialist Level I Program: CSULB candidates continuing on to Level II training from our Level I program are encouraged to apply when they are enrolled in their final semester of Advanced Field Studies (587/588B). These candidates should indicate in their application their current status on all Level I credential requirements. Because this is an advanced credential program, candidates are required to apply through the Graduate Studies Office so an advanced program file can be initiated for them. Candidates are encouraged to review all program requirements in the current University Catalog prior to applying to the Level II program. Candidates must also apply to the University which can be done online.

Admission to Level II requires a complete application packet. For continuing CSULB candidates, performance in our Level I program will be reviewed prior to admission into Level II. Candidates who did not complete their Level I program at CSULB will be interviewed and their transcripts reviewed to determine preparedness for advanced credential studies. Once a candidate has been admitted into the Level II program, he/she will be invited to attend a mandatory orientation meeting.

Level II Program Requirements

During orientation and development of the Individualized Induction Plan, each candidate will be advised as to the appropriate sequence of classes. It is important that candidates attend carefully to the advised sequence of classes as course offerings are limited at Level II. Many required courses are offered only one semester each year.

• Complete Prerequisites: HSC 411A or B (3 units) and CPR certification

• Complete an Individualized Induction Plan

• Complete EDSP 546C Practicum in Special Education (3 units)

• Complete EDSP 535 Collaborative Partnerships and Effective Communication in School Settings (3 units) (Spring semester only)

• Complete one Specialization course (3 units):
  • EDSP 542 Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication (Spring semester only) OR
  • EDSP 566 Career Planning and Transition for Youth and Adults with Disabilities (Fall semester only)

• Complete one Advanced methods course (3 units): (Both Fall semester only)

• EDSP 563 Advanced Methods for Moderate/Severe Disabilities OR
• EDSP 565 Advanced Methods for Mild/Moderate Disabilities

• Complete a set of nonuniversity activities. These non- University activities are decided upon with advisor approval and include:

• Participation in Year one and Year two CFASST events with district support provider
• Joining the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the premier international special education association to receive its journals Exceptional Children and TEACHING Exceptional Children
• Keeping a journal on best practices identified in Exceptional Children including a description of how these informed your practice
• Completing at least .6 units of Continuing Education through TEACHING Exceptional Children
• Attending at least 2 state or national conferences in the area of best practices in special education
• Completing other activities in the candidate’s identified area of interest (as determined jointly with the program advisor).

Candidates progress through the Level II program as a cohort and complete the program in a year. Candidates starting in the Fall take EDSP 546C and EDSP 565 or 563 in the Fall semester, and EDSP 535 and EDSP 542 in the Spring, and candidates starting in the Spring take EDSP 546C and EDSP 535 in the Spring semester, and EDSP 566 and EDSP 565 or 563 in the Fall semester. Typically all these courses are held at the CSU Long Beach campus, and meet once a week for 3 hours. Class start times are at 4, 5, or 7pm. None of these courses are offered online at this time.

Exit process

Candidates maintain a program portfolio that documents their demonstration of program competencies through coursework and practical experiences. At the end of their program, candidates are required to participate in an Exit Interview with program faculty, where they orally present how they met program competencies. Candidates are encouraged to contact the Level II coordinator as they near the end of their coursework in order to ensure they are able to participate in the required exit interview process. Candidates then apply for their credential through the Credential Center on campus.

Last update: 10/29/07