Moderate/Severe Disabilities Traditional Program

Moderate/Severe (MS) Disabilities 
Education Specialist Preliminary Credential 
The Department of Special Education

TRADITIONAL PROGRAM (42 UNITS)

The Traditional Program is a post BA program for candidates in non-teaching or teaching positions interested in flexible scheduling. Must meet admission requirements as detailed in the credential application.

Courses Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 403MS

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

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

• SPED 504MS: Teaching Diverse Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3)

• SPED 403MS: Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Support (3) (120 hours of fieldwork and seminar) (Prequisite 400, 402, 504MS)

Courses Required Prior to SPED 580MS Student Teaching

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

• SPED 416: Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with their Families (3) (Pre/corequisites SPED 400, 406, 504MS)

• SPED 420: Improving the Learning of Students with Special Needs through Differentiated Instruction and Collaboration (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, 406, 504MS; pre/corequisite SPED 505MS)

• SPED 505MS: Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with MS Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, 504MS; pre/corequisite SPED 403MS)

Other Requirements Prior to SPED 580MS Student Teaching

• Basic Skills and Subject Matter Requirement: Recommended option for individuals interested in teaching at the elementary level: Passage of CSET Multiple Subject Exam and CSET Writing Skills or passage of a CSET Multiple Subject Exam and CBEST; Recommended option for individuals interested in teaching at the secondary level: Passage of a CSET Single Subject Exam and CBEST or completion of approved subject matter program and passage of the CBEST

• 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.

• Valid Fingerprint Clearance

• Submission of Student Teaching Application and approval to student teach by Credential Office (Application for student teaching is required in the semester prior to student teaching.)

Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 580MS Student Teaching (only one course may be completed concurrently with SPED 580MS)

• SPED 581 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, 504MS) • EED 565M Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3 units) • SPED Elective: SPED 640, SPED 642, or SPED 404 (3)

• SPED 580MS Student Teaching (6) and SPED 580S (3) Seminar in Moderate/Severe Disabilities with a grade of “B” or better. Required Prior to Applying for the Credential

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education

• U.S. Constitution (course or exam) • 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)

• 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