Completing the Preliminary Credential

How to Apply for the Credential

You will apply for your credential In COE Student Services Credential Processing. The forms and instructions to request a Pre-evaluation or to apply for the credential are available in the COE Student Services at the San Bernardino campus, at Palm Desert campus by Contact Alice Pedersen at 760-341-2888 ext 78109 or on the Credential Processing webpages. The information for each credential below must be complete or your request to be recommended for the credential will be denied.

Recommendation for the Credential:
In addition to the program admission requirements, prerequisite course work and credential course work, the candidate must successfully complete the following requirements in order to be recommended for the Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Instruction Credential:

1. Verification of subject matter competence(CSET) by one of the following(except for Early Childhood applicants):

a. Completion of an equivalent California-approved subject matter preparation program verified in writing by authorized personnel if fully admitted to the program prior to July 1, 2004; or
b. Original verification of a passing score on the subject matter examination if admitted to the program after June 30, 2004; or
c. Completion of an approved subject matter preparation program offered on this campus or an approved subject matter preparation program at another California campus, verified in writing by authorized personnel, if fully admitted to the program prior to July 1, 2004.

2. Completion of the upper division writing requirement by one of the following:

a. Completion,with a grade of “B” (3.0) or better, in one of the following courses:

a. EDUC 306, ENG 306, HUM 306, MGMT 306, NSCI 306, or SSCI 306, at this university;
b. Completion, with a grade of “B” (3.0) or better, of an equivalent advanced expository writing course at another college or university;
c. Satisfactory completion of the Writing Requirement Exemption Examination (WREE) offered at this university; or
d. Meet the basic skills requirement(for more information refer pg. 10 in the Special Education Credential Admissions booklet).

Note: CBEST exam does not meet the graduate writing requirement for the Master of Arts degree.

3. Completion of the U.S. Constitution requirement by one of the following:

a. HIST 146. American Civilization (4);
b. HIST 200. United States History to 1877 (4);
c. HIST 540. Constitutional History of the United States (4);
d. PSCI 203. American Government (4);
e. PSCI 410. American Constitutional Law (4);
f. PSCI 411. The Bill of Rights (4); or
g. Successful completion of an examination administered through the College of Extended Learning. See U.S. Constitution Test Information
h. Approved U.S. Constitution course substitution.

4. Verification of a passing score on the RICA(except for Early Childhood applicants)- Reading Instruction Competence Assessment). Note: Holders of a valid California teaching credential based on a baccalaureate degree and completion of a teacher education program including student teaching, will be exempt from RICA. Please contact Credential Processing at 909-537-5609, for further information. For RICA workshops visit the ASAP website.

5. A grade point average of 3.0 ("B") in professional education course work, with no course grade lower than a "B-."

6. Verification of Employment as an Education Specialist form CL-777.1 from the employing school district and signed by an authorized district personnel officer.

Note: Candidates who do not provide form CL-777.1 will be issued a Certificate of Eligibility which will authorize the candidate to seek initial employment as an Education Specialist but will not authorize teaching service.

Prerequisite courses to be completed with a grade of "B" or better:
ESPE 530. Introduction to Special Education
Characteristics and educational implications of physical, intellectual,social and emotional deviations among exceptional individuals. Ethical and legal aspects of special education. Observations in educational settings. (4 units)

ESPE 531. Methods and Procedures in Special Education
Introductory teaching methods in special education. Policies and procedures related to the implementation of federal and state legislation governing the delivery of special education services. Formerly ESPE 529. Prerequisite/corequisite: ESPE 530. (4 units)

ONE of the following with a grade of "B-" or better:

HD 240. Introduction to Child Development
Comprehensive introduction to child development from conception through adolescence. Emphasis is on physical, cognitive, social, emotional and language development. (Also offered as PSYC 240(Students may not receive credit for both.) (4 units)

EELB 301. Growth and Development in Socio-Educational Contexts
Comprehensive introduction to development from birth through adolescence. Emphasis is on physical, cognitive, social, language, and emotional development within social and educational contexts as affected by race, sex, culture, home language, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and special needs. Includes learning to use observational and interview methodologies to analyze behaviors and contexts using developmental principles, theories, and current research. Requires a field component in an approved setting. Four units lecture and two units supervision.(6 units)

PSYC 320. Psychology of Middle Childhood
Theories and their applications to physical, cognitive, social and emotional development during the middle childhood years. A field based component will be required. (4 units)

Mild to Moderate

1. ESPE 610. Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (4)
2. ESPE 611. Assessment Methods in Special Education (4)
3. ESPE 612. Supportive Learning Environments for Students with Disabilities (4)
4. ESPE 613. Curriculum and Methods in Literacy Learning for Students with Disabilities (4)
5. ESPE 614. Curriculum and Methods for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (4)
6. ESPE 625. Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education (4)
7. ESPE 627. Education of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (4)
8. ESPE 642. Methods in Mild/Moderate Disabilities I (4)
9. ESPE 643. Methods in Mild/Moderate Disabilities II (4)
10. ESPE 620A. Supervised Student Teaching in Special Education I: Mild/Moderate Disabilities (8)
11. ESPE 621A. Supervised Student Teaching in Special Education II: Mild/Moderate Disabilities (8)

Moderate to Severe
1. ESPE 610. Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (4)
2. ESPE 611. Assessment Methods in Special Education (4)
3. ESPE 612. Supportive Learning Environments for Studentswith Disabilities (4)
4. ESPE 613. Curriculum and Methods in Literacy Learning for Students with Disabilities (4)
5. ESPE 614. Curriculum and Methods for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (4)
6. ESPE 620B. Supervised Student Teaching in Special Education I: Moderate/Severe Disabilities (8)
7. ESPE 621B. Supervised Student Teaching in Special Education II: Moderate/Severe Disabilities (8)
8. ESPE 625. Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education (4)
9. ESPE 627. Education of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (4)
10. ESPE 662. Methods for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities I (4)
11. ESPE 663. Methods for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities II (4)
Note: Candidates who hold a valid California Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or another authorization of an Education Specialist credential are not required to complete ESPE 620B but must successfully complete ESPE 621B.

Early Childhood

1. ESPE 610. Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (4)
2. ESPE 611. Assessment Methods in Special Education (4)
3. ESPE 612. Supportive Learning Environments for Students with Disabilities (4)
4. ESPE 613. Curriculum and Methods in Literacy Learning for Students with Disabilities (4)
5. ESPE 614. Curriculum and Methods for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (4)
6. ESPE 620C. Supervised Student Teaching in Special Education I: Early Childhood Special Education (8)
7. ESPE 621C. Supervised Student Teaching in Special Education II: Early Childhood Special Education (8)
8. ESPE 625. Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education (4)
9. ESPE 627. Education of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (4)
10. ESPE 672. Methods in Early Childhood Special Education I (4)
11. ESPE 673. Methods in Early Childhood Special Education II (4)