Internship Partnership with Service Area School Districts for Preliminary Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe Disabilities Education Specialist “Add On” Program

Program of Study

This Intern Partnership Option prepares teachers in advanced skills to instruct students in grades K through 12 and adults with identified disabilities while working as a special educator. Admission requirements for the program are the same as those described for the Preliminary Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe Disabilities Education Specialist “Add On” Program.

Intern Eligibility

Eligibility for intern teaching in this program includes the following:

1. Valid teaching credential;
2. Bachelor’s Degree as evidenced by official transcripts verifying awarding of Bachelor’s degree;
3. Completed U.S. Constitution requirement;
4. CSET passed for subject area(s) and grade and developmental levels of students the intern will instruct;
5. Successful progress in program coursework and Education Specialist Teaching Performance Expectations;
6. Minimum of 120 clocked hours of foundational classroom management and planning, reading/language arts, specialty pedagogy, human development, and teaching English learners;
7. Tuberculin Clearance;
8. Authorization to Instruct English Learners

Candidates in this internship option must also apply with and be selected for employment as an intern with a partnering school or school district. Subject matter competency and individual requirements for out-of-state trained teachers may be required. Contact the CEHHS, Student Services Office for details (760) 750-4277.

The Preliminary Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes instruction of students with a primary disability of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Disturbance, Mild/Moderate Intellectual Disability, other health impairment (e.g. Attention Deficit Disorder), or specific learning disability. The Preliminary Moderate/Severe Education Specialist Credential authorizes instruction of students with a primary disability of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deaf-Blindness, Emotional Disturbance, Moderate/Severe Intellectual Disability, or multiple disabilities. All credentials authorize instruction of English learners.

The program provides the option to obtain a Master of Arts in Special Education degree. See the Master of Arts in Special Education  program description for application information, and courses and clinical practice that may be applied toward the master’s degree.

TPE Assessment

Beginning January 1, 2011, all candidates entering programs that result in the issuance of a Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential must demonstrate satisfactory performance through coursework and verified clinical practice on the full range of Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Performance Expectations and develop a written Individualized Transition Development Plan for use in the candidate’s Clear Credential Program.

Clear Credential Requirements

All teachers holding a Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential must clear the credential within five years of credential issuance by obtaining a Clear Education Specialist Instruction Credential. An essential clearing requirement is the development of a written Individualized Induction Plan (IIP) of supported induction and job related advanced professional preparation approved and signed by the clear credential candidate, an employer designee, and a CCTC-approved clear credential program sponsor (e.g., district BTSA program, University, County Office of Education). See the CCTC web site for currently approved clear credential sponsors. The IIP must be written to clear all general and special education preliminary credentials held, may include up to 12 semester units of university coursework, and must be developed within 60 days of employment. Preliminary Education Specialist credential holders not employed in a school setting may complete the clear credential requirements if the parties signing the IIP agree to a setting and professional development activities that allow demonstration of effective teaching to clear all preliminary credentials held.

Program Coursework

Total (with Moderate/Severe Credential Added) (37-59 Units)