Graduate School of Education

The Graduate School of Education offers two areas of specialization for the education specialist credential.

The Mild/Moderate Credential authorizes the teaching of individuals with specific learning disabilities, mental retardation, other health impairments, and serious emotional disturbances. This credential also authorizes the recipient to teach in a resource specialist position (RSP).

The Moderate/Severe Credential authorizes the teaching of individuals with autism, mental retardation, deaf-blindness, serious emotional disturbance, and multiple disabilities.

Level 1 RICA Requirement: (as of 1/1 2000) Preliminary Level 1 credential applicants must pass the RICA.

Completing your state credential requirements

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 The following options are available for earning a Special Education Credential that results in completion of the Preliminary Level 1 credential requirements.

Option 1: Student teaching. Candidates student teach in general and special education classes while taking courses to complete their credential. This day program provides a rich student teaching experience with the guidance of a district cooperating teacher and designed for students who have insufficient experience in a public school setting.

Option 2: Dual Credential. Candidates take two to four additional courses specific to a general education credential (multiple subjects) and student teach in general and special education classrooms. Both credentials are usually awarded at the end of the program, though students who have not taken prerequisite and state required courses as undergraduates will need to attend summer school.

Option 3: Internship. This option is for candidates who have significant teaching experience in a public school or equivalent classroom setting either as an instructional assistant, substitute, or emergency teacher. Interns assume full teaching responsibilities for a special day class and are paid salaries set by the employing district. Intern candidates are responsible for obtaining their own teaching position in a special day class with a participating district.

Option 4: Integrated Credential and Masters Degree Program. Qualified candidates may begin an integrated Master's program with any of the above options. Some of the courses required for the credential will also be applied toward a Master program. This option requires a 3.2 grade point; an 1100 score on the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) is preferred. GRE scores are valid for five years.

All options require passage of the RICA exam in order to be recommended for the Preliminary credential.

The Professional Clear Level II Education Specialist Credential Program begins with issuance of your Preliminary credential and employment in a special education classroom. It may be completed after two years of teaching in a specialist setting but must be completed within five years of the preliminary credential issuance date.

Level II Credential

Requirements:

• Level I preliminary credential
• Employment as a teacher in a special education classroom or in a general education classroom serving students with IEPs.

Overview:

• 20 Quarter Units
• 5 of the units may be non-university courses or pre-approved activities. Candidates who complete CFASST (California Formative Assessment and Support System for teachers) with a special education support provider and use CFASST materials adapted for the special education teacher may be credited 5 units.

Required Courses 303A (Mild / Moderate) or 304A (Moderate / Severe)

• 4 Units: Induction course. Begins portfolio, reviews program, orients support provider, covers reviews and expands knowledge on such topics as transition, resources, and positive behavioral interventions.

219A

• 4 Units: Survey course in classroom and school assessment. Basic principles of measurement including test administration, construction, scaling, norming, reliability, validity, and interpretation of individual and group tests.

255A

• 4 Units: Explores methods of financing public education. Identifies budgeting and accounting techniques used by school districts in support of the instructional process and considers legal requirements and public reactions to the financing of education.

303B (Mild / Moderate) or 304B (Moderate / Severe)

• 2 Units: Capstone course - Portfolio review, presentations of special interest research. Students develop a five-year professional development plan, complete a comprehensive and professional portfolio based on their teaching experience in a class for individuals with moderate/severe disabilities, and undergo an evaluation process.

Electives

In addition to the above, candidates must complete elective units: 5 may be non-university approved courses or trainings.

CFASST, using the Special designed materials for Special education may be used for the 5 units. Support provider must have appropriate S.E. Credential.  

The University of California, Riverside
Graduate School of Education
Teacher Education
1124 Sproul Hall
Riverside, CA 92521
Teacher Education Office: (951) 827-5225
Fax: (951) 827-3942