CA Preliminary Credential: Education Specialist (Special Education)
NOTE: This program is pending CTC approval upon date of publication. The program becomes active following the date of official CTC approval.
California Preliminary Education Specialist Credential
(Preliminary Credential in Mild/Moderate Support Needs)
Grade Requirements for Credential Coursework
See Program Grade Requirements.
Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
Credential requirements may change at any time during a student’s program based on legislative action by the CTC. According to CTC regulations, the institution has an obligation to public schools to deny admission and to dismiss candidates who are deemed, unsuitable teachers.
Undergraduate Integrated Teaching Credential Program (ITEP)
Additional Credential Program Requirements
- Certificate of Clearance or Substitute Teaching Permit Verification: An application for fingerprint clearance must be submitted prior to beginning the credential program. A fee is required for the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Clearance process.
- TB Test Clearance: Must be submitted prior to beginning the credential coursework.
- Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
- U.S. Constitution: met by POLS 155C at VU, equivalent or by test.
Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
The Basic Skills Requirement may be satisfied in a variety of ways, as explained on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Web site here: Basic Skills Requirement
1. Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
2. Pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) Multiple Subjects plus Writing Skills examination
3. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement examinations
4. Achieve qualifying score on the SAT or ACT
SAT – Mathematics score 550 or above and Critical Reading score of 500 or above
ACT – Mathematics score of 23 or above and English score of 22 or above
5. Achieve qualifying score on College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations
Scores of 3 or above in AP English and AP Calculus or AP Statistics
6. Pass a Basic Skills examination from another state
Further information here: Out-of-State BSR
7. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by coursework
Further information here: BSR Options
8. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by coursework and examination
Further information here: BSR Options
Subject Matter Competency Requirement (SMR)
The Subject Matter Competency Requirement may be satisfied in a variety of ways, as explained on the (CTC) Web site here: Subject Matter Requirement
1. Completion of a CTC approved Subject Matter Preparation Program
Vanguard University offers Subject Matter Preparation Programs in: English, Mathematics, and Music; and an Elementary Subject Matter Preparation Program through the Liberal Studies undergraduate program.
2. Passage of California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET).
3. Completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the same content area as the desired credential.
4. Completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the subject matter domains adopted by the CTC in the specific credential content area. Access the Domain information here: CTC Domains
Provisional Status
A student who otherwise meets admission requirements, but has not passed the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), may be considered for provisional status to the Program on a case-by-case basis. The student recognizes that the CSET must be passed before beginning the Advanced Student Teaching semester.
Clinical Practice Fieldwork
During the Beginning Clinical Practice (i.e. Beginning Student Teaching) term, Education Specialist Candidates complete coursework concurrently with a minimum of 168 hours of Early Supervised Fieldwork throughout the semester at a school site, attending 2x/week for 12 weeks. Courses are completed in 8-weeks except where identified. During the Advanced Clinical Practice (AST) term, Education Specialist Candidates complete Clinical Practice full-time, 5 days/week for 12 weeks at a school site.
Clinical Practice placements will be made by the department in local partner schools that satisfy EL Authorization requirements. Candidates cannot be placed at a school where their own children currently attend, or where their relatives are employed. Placement outside a 12-mile radius of the Vanguard University campus requires a payment of $150 to cover additional mileage for the University Supervisor.
- CalTPA (California Teaching Performance Assessment)
- Cycle 1 taken during the Beginning Clinical Practice semester.
- Cycle 2 taken during the Advanced Clinical Practice semester.
CTC requirements for the Clear Credential
Following issuance of the Preliminary Credential, a candidate will complete the Clear Credential requirements through an induction program offered through the school district in which they are employed, or through an alternative program sponsor.
- Candidates build on prior knowledge, life experiences, and interests to engage and support all students in learning.
- Candidates create and maintain effective environments for learning by engaging all students in purposeful learning activities.
- Candidates possess a clear understanding of subject matter and organize instruction for student learning.
- Candidates plan instruction and design learning experiences for all students that draws upon and values each student’s background, prior knowledge and interests.
- Candidates assess student learning by establishing and clearly communicating learning goals for each student.
- Candidates reflect on their teaching practice and actively engage in planning their professional development.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-346 | Introduction to Special Education 1 | 3 |
| EDUG-508 | Language and Culture in Context 2 | 2 |
| EDUG-509 | Foundations in Teaching for Multiple Subject | 2 |
| EDUG-519 | English Language Arts in Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUG-571S | Curricular Methods & Adaptations | 3 |
| EDUG-572S | Differentiating Mathematics Instruction for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| EDUG-573S | Assessment and Data-Based Decision- Making for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| EDUG-574S | Positive Behavior and Social Emotional Learning Supports | 3 |
| EDUG-575S | Collaboration for IEP Case Management and Transition Planning | 3 |
| EDUG-581S | Beginning Clincial Practice and Cal TPA 1 | 4 |
| EDUG-582S | Beginning Clincial Practice and Cal TPA 1 support seminar | 1 |
| EDUG-583S | Beginning Clincial Practice and Cal TPA Cycle 2 | 8 |
| EDUG-584S | Beginning Clincial Practice and Cal TPA Cycle 2 support seminar | 1 |
| Total Units | 39 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | 13 | |
| Introduction to Special Education | ||
| Language and Culture in Context | ||
| Foundations in Teaching for Multiple Subject | ||
| English Language Arts in Elementary Classrooms | ||
| Curricular Methods & Adaptations | ||
| Second Semester | 17 | |
| Differentiating Mathematics Instruction for Students with Disabilities | ||
| Assessment and Data-Based Decision- Making for Students with Disabilities | ||
| Positive Behavior and Social Emotional Learning Supports | ||
| Collaboration for IEP Case Management and Transition Planning | ||
| Beginning Clincial Practice and Cal TPA 1 | ||
| Beginning Clincial Practice and Cal TPA 1 support seminar | ||
| Third Semester | 9 | |
| Beginning Clincial Practice and Cal TPA Cycle 2 | ||
| Beginning Clincial Practice and Cal TPA Cycle 2 support seminar | ||
| Total Units | 39 | |