Special Education - Preliminary Education Specialist

University of Massachusetts Global offers the California Preliminary Education Specialist teaching credentials with the English Learner and Autism authorizations in three areas of exceptionality: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN), Extensive Support Needs (ESN), and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). The special education program, once completed, authorizes the holder to teach in special education in K-12 (and through age 22) special education settings (MMSN and ESN) or in Birth through Pre-Kindergarten special education programs (ECSE). Credential courses and fieldwork experiences are aligned with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Special Education Teaching Performance Expectations and reflect current research and best practices in special education. Candidates utilize Common Core Standards and California state content standards to design engaging lessons and develop skills in planning and differentiating instruction, classroom management, and assessment. In addition, the program focuses on the use of technology in the classroom and the development of 21st Century Skills for all learners.

Program Learning Outcomes

PLO 1 – Supporting All Students:  Collaboratively develop Individualized Education Plan/Individualized Family Service Plans (IEP/IFSP) to meet the educational needs of individuals with disabilities.

PLO 2 – Creating Effective Environments: Create inclusive learning environments based on principles of positive behavior support that reflect the diverse perspectives of students and their families.

PLO 3 – Organize Subject Matter: Implement accommodations and evidence-based instructional strategies in the Least Restrictive Environment to address State Standards.

PLO 4 – Design Instruction and Learning Experiences: Plan and design multifaceted evidence-based instruction and learning experiences through collaboration to support positive outcomes for students.

PLO 5 - Assessing Student Learning: Use multiple assessments that appropriately meet the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities for eligibility, placement, and instruction.

PLO 6 – Developing as a Professional Educator:  Reflect on teaching practice and integrate pedagogical knowledge and skills to ensure professional behavior and growth.

Credential Program Information

Candidates entering the California Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program who hold a valid general education credential may waive certain courses in the program. Please see an academic advisor to determine which courses can be waived. Those who do not hold such a credential must take EDUU 510 Introduction to Teaching and a minimum of 12 credits of coursework plus Supported or Directed Teaching at University of Massachusetts Global to establish residency. Candidates adding an additional authorization to their active Special Education credential are required to complete a minimum of 9 credits of their coursework including Directed teaching.  If these candidates enter into an internship they are required to take all the supported teaching and internship seminar courses.  To obtain the California Preliminary Education Specialist credential, candidates must meet the following requirements and those listed under teaching credential programs.

Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential with English Learner and Autism Authorizations or Extensive Support Needs with English Learner and Autism Authorizations

Requirements

Core Courses
EDUU 510Introduction to Teaching3
EDUU 511Collaboration For Inclusive Schooling3
EDUU 512The Art & Craft of Teaching3
EDMU 520Literacy and Language in K-8 Classrooms I3
EDMU 521Literacy and Language in K-8 Classrooms II3
or EDSU 532 Effective Literacy Instruction for Single Subject Candidates
EDUU 516Introduction to Planning and Assessment3
Core Courses Subtotal18
Emphasis Courses
EDUU 517Communication, Health, and Mobility3
EDUU 602Positive Behavior Supports3
EDUU 655Individualized Education Plan Development and Special Education Law3
EDUU 663Advanced Methods In Special Education3
EDUU 664Advanced Assessment in Special Education3
EDUU 662Collaboration and Co-Teaching3
Emphasis Course Subtotal18
*Clinical Practice Subtotal10-12
Total Credits46-48

*Clinical Practice Options: Student Teaching or Internship

Mild to Moderate Support Needs

Student Teaching - Mild to Moderate Support Needs
EDTU 550Student Teaching I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs3
EDUU 576Education Specialist Student Teaching Seminar A2
EDTU 551Student Teaching II: Mild to Moderate Support Needs3
EDUU 577Education Specialist Student Teaching Seminar B2
or
Internship - Mild to Moderate Support Needs
EDTU 565-ASupported Teaching I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (Interns Only)2
EDTU 565-BSupported Teaching I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (Interns Only)2
EDTU 565-CSupported Teaching I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (Interns Only)2
EDTU 566-ASupported Teaching II: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (Interns Only)2
*Clinical Practice credits vary depending on whether the candidate is a student teacher or intern
Intern Seminars
EDUU 580Education Specialist Intern Seminar A2
EDUU 581Education Specialist Intern Seminar B2
*Clinical Practice Subtotal10-12

Extensive Support Needs

Student Teaching - Extensive Support Needs
EDTU 552Student Teaching I: Extensive Support Needs3
EDUU 576Education Specialist Student Teaching Seminar A2
EDTU 553Student Teaching II: Extensive Support Needs3
EDUU 577Education Specialist Student Teaching Seminar B2
or
Internship - Extensive Support Needs
EDTU 567-ASupported Teaching I: Extensive Support Needs (Interns Only)2
EDTU 567-BSupported Teaching I: Extensive Support Needs (Interns Only)2
EDTU 567-CSupported Teaching I: Extensive Support Needs (Interns Only)2
EDTU 568-ASupported Teaching II: Extensive Support Needs (Interns Only)2
*Clinical Practice credits vary depending on whether the candidate is a student teacher or intern
Intern Seminars
EDUU 580Education Specialist Intern Seminar A2
EDUU 581Education Specialist Intern Seminar B2
*Clinical Practice Subtotal10-12

Preliminary Education Specialist Credential – Early Childhood Special Education

Core/Introductory Courses

ECED 330Dual Language Learners and Their Families3
EDUU 644Development, Risk, and Resilience3
EDUU 639Pedagogical Leadership in Early Childhood Education3
EDUU 665Historical, Philosophical, and Legal Foundations of Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Ed3
Core/Introductory Subtotal12

Content/Emphasis Area Courses

EDUU 666Family Guided Practices in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education3
EDUU 667Assessment in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education3
EDUU 668Curriculum and Intervention in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education3
EDUU 679Advanced Strategies in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education3
EDUU 602Positive Behavior Supports3
EDUU 645Consultation, Collaboration and Co-teaching in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Educ3
Content/Emphasis Area Subtotal18
*Clinical Practice credits vary depending on whether the candidate is a student teacher or intern.
Clinical Practice Subtotal10-12
Total Credits40-42

*Clinical Practice Options: Student Teaching or Internship

Early Childhood Special Education

Student Teaching
EDTU 554Student Teaching I: Early Childhood Special Education3
EDUU 576Education Specialist Student Teaching Seminar A2
EDTU 555Student Teaching II: Early Childhood Special Education3
EDUU 577Education Specialist Student Teaching Seminar B2
Internship*
EDTU 575-ASupported Teaching I: Early Childhood Special Education (Interns Only)2
EDTU 575-BSupported Teaching I: Early Childhood Special Education (Interns Only)2
EDTU 575-CSupported Teaching I: Early Childhood Special Education (Interns Only)2
EDTU 576-ASupported Teaching II: Early Childhood Special Education (Interns Only)2
*Clinical Practice credits vary depending on whether the candidate is a student teacher or intern.
Intern Seminars
EDUU 580Education Specialist Intern Seminar A2
EDUU 581Education Specialist Intern Seminar B2
Clinical Practice Subtotals*10-12