The Special Education Intern Program: Moderate/Severe (MS) Disabilities

Learning to Teaching While On-the-Job

The Intern Program is a post BA two-year Program designed for teachers candidates who are eligible for an Intern Credential and are hired in a cooperating school district or other local educational agency. Interns 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.

For more information please contact a faculty member in Moderate/Severe Disabilities 

• Amy Hanreddy

Program Requirements and Courses in the MS Intern Credential Program (42 units)

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, human development, and 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 a combination of credential coursework, on-line instructional modules, and documented field experience.

Year 1

Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 506MSA and SPED 506MSB (1st and 2nd semester) and Prerequisite SPED 506MSC (3rd semester)

• 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 406: K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3) (Prerequisite: admission to post baccalaureate credential program)
• SPED 504MS Teaching Diverse Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3) (Pre/corequisites SPED 400)
• EED 565M: Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3)
• SPED 416: Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with their Families (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, 506MSA, 504MS)
• SPED 506MSA: SPED Field Experience (3) (corequisite SPED 504MS)
• SPED 506MSB: SPED Field Experience (3)(prerequisite SPED 504MS )

Year 2: Student Teaching

Prior to or Concurrent SPED 506MSC (3rd semester) and Pre-requisite to SPED 506MSD (4th semester)

• SPED 420: Improving the Learning Needs of Students with Special Needs though Differentiated Instruction and Collaboration (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, 406, 504MS, pre/corequisite SPED 505MS)
• SPED 505MS: Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, 402, 504MS)
• SPED 506MSC SPED Field Experience with a grade of B or better (3 units – 3rd semester)(Prerequisite SPED 506MSA, SPED 506MSB, SPED504MS;Pre/corequisite SPED 505MS)
• SPED 581: Alternative and Augmentative Communication (3) (Prerequisites SPED 400, 504MS, SPED 506MSA)
• SPED Elective (3) (SPED 640, SPED 642, SPED 404) (3)
• SPED 506MSD: SPED Field Experience (3)(Prerequisite SPED504MS, 505MS)

Other Program Requirements

• 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
• Passage of Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) or hold valid California Teaching Credential (Must hold a valid California Teaching Credential at the time of requesting for this credential in order to be exempt from RICA)
• 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.
• CPR Certification- infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable)