The Special Education Intern Program - Mild/Moderate (MM) Disabilities

Learning to Teach While On-the-Job

The Intern Program is a post BA two-year Program (including summers) designed for teachers who are eligible for an intern credential and are hired in a cooperating school district or other local educational agency. Interns progress through the program as a cohort, must take a minimum of 6 units each semester that include 3 units of the SPED 506 intern practicum/seminar and receive classroom support and mentorship throughout the program by university and district personnel.

Preservice Component

All applicants are required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of Pre-service Preparation. This preparation includes classroom management and planning, reading/language arts, specialty specific pedagogy, and human development, with 45 hours devoted specifically to teaching English learners.

Applicants holding a valid teaching credential with an EL authorization or a CLAD certificate meet the Pre-service Preparation component. Applicants without a valid teaching credential satisfy the Pre-service Preparation component through credential coursework.

Courses in the MM Intern Credential Program (42 units)

Semester 1

• SPED 400: Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3) (may be taken prior to admission)

• SPED 406: K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3) (Prerequisite: admission to post baccalaureate credential program)

• SPED 506MMA: SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)

Semester 2

• SPED 501MM: Special Education Assessment of Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, SPED 406, SPED 506MMA)

• SPED 402: Behavior Assessment and Positive Behavioral Support (3) (may be taken prior to admission)

• SPED 506MMB: SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)

Summer 1

• SPED 404: Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disabilities including Autism (3)

• SPED 420: Improving the Learning of Students with Special Needs through Differentiated Instruction and Collaboration (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, SPED 406)

Semester 3

• SPED 416: Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with their Families (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, SPED 406, SPED 501MM)

• EED 565M: Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3) or SED 525: Methods of Teaching Single Subject (3)

• SPED 506MMC: SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)

Other Requirements Prior to SPED 506MMD (4th semester)

• Writing Proficiency (CBEST writing score of 41 or better or Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam with a score of 10 or better or ENGL 305 or ENGL 406 or COMS 321)

• Overall GPA of 2.75 since admission with cumulative 3.0 GPA in Professional Education courses. (A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses)

• Passage of Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) or hold Valid California Teaching Credential (Must hold valid California Teaching Credential at the time of applying for this credential in order to be exempt from RICA.)

• CPR certification – infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable)

Semester 4

• SPED 502MM: Reading/Language Arts Instruction for Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, SPED 406, SPED 501MM; Pre/Corequisite SPED 416)

• SPED 503MM: Curriculum and Instruction in Math and Content Subjects for Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, SPED 406, SPED 420, SPED 501MM, EED 565M or SED 525; pre/corequisite SPED 416)

• SPED 506MMD: SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)