Welcome to the Special Education Department
The Teacher Induction Education Specialist Credential program is a two-year, individualized, job-embedded system of mentoring, support, and professional development beginning in the candidates’ first year of teaching. This program is designed for candidates who hold a valid Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in the following specialization areas: Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Early Childhood Special Education; Mild/Moderate Disabilities; or Moderate/Severe Disabilities.
Purpose of the Program
The purpose of the Teacher Induction Credential Program is to provide a program of mentoring and support for beginning teachers. Candidates develop an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) designed to strengthen their professional practice through self-assessment, goal setting, and reflection. Candidates complete four “induction” courses centered around the ILP and two “pedagogy” courses designed to build on skills and knowledge acquired through their Preliminary Credential. Three options are available for completing the Teacher Induction Credential Program:
- Induction Credential Only Program
- Combined Induction Credential/MA Program
- Early Completion Program
Program Guidelines
- The Teacher Induction Program is a two-year, job-embedded process focused on mentoring and support, and begins in the first year of teaching.
- The Induction Program advisor identifies and assigns a mentor to each candidate within the first 30 days of the candidate’s enrollment. The Induction Program advisor also matches the mentor and the candidate according to the following criteria: 1) credential held, and 2) grade level/subject area, as appropriate to the candidate’s employment.
- Candidates in the Induction Program are to schedule and receive an average of not less than one hour per week of individual support/mentoring coordinated and/or provided by the mentor.
- The Induction Program advisor will develop an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) within the first 60 days of a candidate’s enrollment.
- The Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that the ILP must be designed and implemented solely for the professional growth and development of the participating teacher and not for evaluation for employment purposes.
Admission Requirements
Please visit the Credential Office website for application information.
Outlines of Program Options
Induction Credential Only Program (14 units)
The Induction Credential Only Program option is designed to satisfy CTC teacher induction requirements combining individualized mentoring with advanced pedagogical study. Over a two-year time period, candidates complete 14 units, six units in semesters one and four, and one unit in semesters two and three.
| SEMESTER 1 | SEMESTER 2 | SEMESTER 3 | SEMESTER 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
SPED 628 (EC, DHH, MM, MS): Induction and the Individualized Learning Plan (3 units) Pedagogy Class (3 units) | SPED 614a: Learning About Myself as a Professional Educator (1 unit) | SPED 614b: Working with Special Education Stakeholders (1 unit) | SPED 638: Developing Special Educators as Agents of Change(3 units) Pedagogy Class (3 units) |
Combined Induction Credential / MA Program (30 units)
The Combined Induction / MA Program option is designed for those candidates whose goal is to obtain both an Induction Credential and a MA degree in special education. Candidates complete a minimum of six units each semester over a two-year period. Up to nine units from the Preliminary Credential may be counted toward the 30-unit total. Candidates choosing this option must be admitted to the MA program. For information about admission to the MA program, contact the Department of Special Education at 818-677-2596.
| SEMESTER 1 | SEMESTER 2 | SEMESTER 3 | SEMESTER 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
SPED 628 (EC, DHH, MM, MS): Induction and the Individualized Learning Plan (3 units) SPED 681: Graduate Research in Special Education | SPED 682: Advanced Graduate Research in Special Education Pedagogy Class (3 units) | SPED 683: Current Trends in Special Education (3 units) Pedagogy Class (3 units) | SPED 638: Developing Special Educators as Agents of Change(3 units) SPED 697: Directed Comprehensive Studies |
Early Completion Program (12 units)
The Early Completion Program option is restricted to candidates with one full year of successful teaching experience. Contact an Induction Advisor in the Department of Special Education to determine eligibility.
| SEMESTER 1 | SEMESTER 2 |
|---|---|
SPED 628 (EC, DHH, MM, MS): Induction and the Individualized Learning Plan (3 units) Pedagogy Class (3 units) | SPED 638: Developing Special Educators as Agents of Change(3 units) Pedagogy Class (3 units) |
Contact Information and Advisement
For questions regarding the program application process, please contact the Credential Office at (818) 677-2733 or credprep@csun.edu
For questions regarding program content and to determine which option is best for you, meet with a faculty advisor in the Department of Special Education, at the same time you are submitting your application. Contact information by specialization area is as follows:
- Induction Coordinator and advisor in Mild/Moderate Disabilities: Dr. Virginia Kennedy
- Advisor in Moderate/Severe Disabilities: Dr. Samantha Toews
- Advisor in Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Dr. Ellen Schneiderman
- Advisor in Early Childhood Special Education: Dr. Michele Haney
Program Completion Process
Information regarding how to apply to have the new Education Specialist authorization added to your existing credential document can be found on the Credential Office website.
IMPORTANT! Before beginning the online application, make sure you are not logged into the CSUN portal. All required documents must be uploaded with your online application do not mail or fax any documents. The only item that should be mailed are transcripts, if applicable.