Special Education

Why Special Education?

Throughout California, the demand for special education teachers (known as Education Specialists) remains strong. Our programs offer multiple pathways to earn your special education teaching credentials and master’s degree.

Below are some of the unique features of our Special Education Program:

Our program philosophy centers on inclusive educational practices and collaborative teaming
Our program allows you to earn both general & special education credentials
Our credential program is integrated with our master’s degree
Our program is hybrid with a mix of in-person and online courses
Our faculty and clinical partners work closely to ensure you are well prepared
Our programs are cohort-based with smaller class sizes
We guide you to funding/grants/scholarships to help with program costs which is also less expensive than other universities
We partner with over 36 districts/academies from Riverside to San Diego
San Diego employers seek our students – they look to hire our graduates first!
80% of our alumni remain in our local community
97% of our graduates felt our program was effective to very effective in developing the tools and skills needed to become a special educator

Credentials Offered

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Mild to Moderate Support Needs - Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential
Authorizes instruction of students kindergarten through 22 years of age with mild to moderate support needs with a primary disability of:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Emotional Disability
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment (e.g. Attention Deficit Disorder)
- Specific Learning Disability
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Extensive Support Needs - Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential
Authorizes instruction of students kindergarten through 22 years of age with extensive support needs with a primary disability of:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Deaf-Blindness
- Emotional Disability
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment (e.g. Attention Deficit Disorder)
- Specific Learning Disability
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Dual Credentials: Multiple Subject and Education Specialist Credentials
The Education Specialist Concurrent Program integrates the Multiple Subject, Mild to Moderate Support Needs, and Extensive Support Needs Education Specialist Credentials. The Multiple Subject Credential is designed to prepare teachers to work with students in grades K-12 with responsibility for all subject areas in a self-contained and core classroom. Teachers holding a Multiple Subject credential are most often assigned to elementary school classrooms. The Mild Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support needs authorizes instruction of students kindergarten through 22 years of age.

Degrees

Master of Arts in Special Education

All Education Specialist programs provides the option to obtain a Master of Arts in Special Education degree. See the Master of Arts in Special Education program description for courses and clinical practice that may be applied toward the Master’s degree.

Which Pathway is Right for You?

If you do not have any teacher credentials, the Education Specialist Concurrent Program is the pathway for you. If you already hold a Multiple Subject or other credential, the Education Specialist Add-On Program would be the pathway for you.

Education Specialist Concurrent Program

The Education Specialist Concurrent Program is a 4-semester program that includes the Multiple Subject Credential and Education Specialist Credentials (MMSN and/or ESN).

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Fall One - Multiple Subject Credential and Early Special Education Experiences
- EDMX 511 Elementary Teaching & Learning I for Ed. Specialists (3 units)
- EDMX 521 Elementary Literacy for Education Specialists (3 units)
- EDMX 543 Mathematics Education in Inclusive Classrooms (3 units)
- EDMS 555 Elementary Multilingual Education (3 units)
- EDMX 570 Clinical Practice: Elementary & Special Settings (6 units)
- EDUC 590A CalTPA Performance Cycle I (1 unit)
Breadth of Experience Requirement (Early Special Education Experiences)

Students seeking the Bilingual Authorization along with their credential must take the following class in fall one, in addition to the classes listed above:
- EDUC 653 Biliteracy Education I: Contexts for Learning Syllabus
Additionally, students seeking the Bilingual Authorization along with their credential are also required to take the following class in place of either EDMX 570, EDMX 571, or both:
- EDMS 573 Clinical Practice in a Bilingual/ELD Setting
Spring One - Multiple Subject Credential and Early Special Education Experiences
- EDMX 512 Elementary Teaching & Learning II for Ed. Specialists (3 units)
- EDMS 544 Social Studies Education in Elementary Schools (3 units)
- EDMS 545 Elementary Science Education (3 units)
- EDMX 622 Literacy for Education Specialists (4 units)
- EDMX 571 Clinical Practice Multiple Subject II (7 units)
- EDUC590B CalTPA Performance Cycle II (1 unit)
Students seeking the Bilingual Authorization along with their credential must take the following class in spring one, in addition to the classes listed above:
- EDUC 654 Biliteracy Education II: Methodology and Cultural Contexts
Additionally, students seeking the Bilingual Authorization along with their credential are also required to take the following class in place of either EDMX 570, EDMX 571, or both:
- EDMS 573 Clinical Practice in a Bilingual/ELD Setting
Fall Two - Education Specialist Instruction Credentials: Mild to Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support Needs
- EDMX630 Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Their Families (3 Units)
- EDMX 627 Assessment for Planning & Instruction (3 units)
- EDMX 631 Foundations in Law, Ethics, & Procedures of Special Education
- EDMX 575 Transition Development Plan Seminar (2 units ) (needed for MMSN)
- EDMX 572 Education Specialist - Clinical Practice: Special Education Setting (7 units) (needed for MMSN)
Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN
Spring Two - Education Specialist Instruction Credentials: Mild to Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support Needs
- EDMX632 Instructional and Assistive Technology (3 Units)
- EDMX633 Creating Accessible Learning Environments (3 units)
- EDMX635 Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Extensive Support Needs (4 units) (needed for ESN)
- EDMX636 Communication and Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units) (needed for ESN)
- EDMX573 Education Specialist - Clinical Practice: Extensive Support Needs (7 units) (needed for ESN)
Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN
Admissions Information
Education Specialist Concurrent Program Admissions Deadlines, Requirements, and Application Information

Education Specialist Add-On Program

The Education Specialist Add-On Program is a 2-semester designed for candidates who currently hold a California credential (Multiple or Single Subject) and want to add the MMSN and/or ESN credentials.

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Fall One
- EDMX 630 Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Their Families (3 units)
- EDMX 627 Assessment for Planning and Instruction (3 units)
- EDMX 631 Foundations in Law, Ethics, and Procedures of Special Education (3 units)
- EDMX 575 Transition Development Plan Seminar (2 units) (MMSN only)
- EDMX 572 Education Specialist-Clinical Practice: Special Education Setting (7 units) (MMSN only)
Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN
Spring One
- EDMX 632 Instructional and Assistive Technology (3 units)
- EDMX 633 Creating Accessible Learning Environments (3 units)
- EDMX 622 Literacy for Education Specialists (4 units)
- EDMX 635 Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Extensive Support Needs (4 units) (for those seeking ESN)
- EDMX 636 Communication and Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units) (ESN only)
- EDMX 573 Education Specialist - Clinical Practice: Extensive Support Needs (7 units) (ESN only)
Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN
Admissions Information
Education Specialist Add-On Admissions Deadlines, Requirements, and Application Information

FAQs

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What is the cost of the program?

While working on your credentials you will pay full time credential tuition. MA only courses will be part time graduate tuition.

Credential Tuition and Fees

Graduate Tuition and Fees
What type of financial support is available for future education specialists?

Paying for your �� credential program may be more affordable than you think. Please visit our financial resources page at School of Education Scholarship and Grants.
What is the modality of the program?

Credential courses are a mix of in-person and online. Clinical Practice (via traditional clinical practice, internship or teacher residency programs) must be completed in person in the region. Master’s only courses are fully online.
What are internships and teacher residencies? Do you offer these options?

Yes, we partner with school districts in our region to offer you both paid internships or teacher residency options. This occurs when you are obtaining your education specialist credentials.

Teacher Residency: A teaching residency is a program that allows future educators to earn their teaching credential while working alongside an experienced mentor teacher. Stipends are given to candidates. Some refer to it as “paid student teaching.”
Internships: As an intern teacher, you are employed as the “teacher of record” in a classroom while you complete your credential program and earn a teacher’s salary w/benefits. It’s a great option for those with prior experience working in a classroom as a paraprofessional or another role assisting students. Internships are available for Fall Two and Spring Two in the ES Concurrent pathway, and throughout the ES Add-On pathway.
How many additional courses are required to add the MA in Special Education once I obtain my credentials?

Two additional courses and a culminating experience (Thesis or Project) are required to complete the MA in Special Education. MA only requirements can be done fully online.
What are the co-requisites required in the credential program?

The state of California requires that candidates take and pass a Teacher Performance Assessment (CalTPA) in which candidates submit responses to predetermined tasks about teaching, based on their subject areas. Candidates submit Cycle 1 in the fall and Cycle 2 in the spring. Candidates enroll in a CalTPA support class that is designed to support them through the TPA process.

Additional co-requisites include CPR, a health education requirement, and a requirement that the candidate has shown knowledge of the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution. Detailed information can be found on the current student resources page.
Will I need to complete a Teacher Performance Assessment for each credential I obtain?

No, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing specifies that teacher candidates seeking multiple credentials will only be held to one TPA. ES Add-On applicants who completed their TPAs for their preliminary or Clear credential do not need to complete TPAs for the Add-On program.

Faculty

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Emiliano Ayala
Dr. Emiliano C. Ayala is a Professor of Special Education for the School of Education at California State University at San Marco. His primary instructional responsibilities include teaching courses in the Education Specialist (special education) credential programs as well as offering doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate courses supporting future California educators. Prior to his faculty appointment, Dr. Ayala served as Dean for the College of Education, Health and Human Services (CEHHS) at California State University San Marcos. In addition, he has served in various faculty and administrative roles at Sonoma State University and Humboldt State University. Dr. Ayala studies, writes, and speaks about the impact of cultural diversity in K-12 education, policy and legal issues in special education, administrative policy and practice in higher education, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in higher education. Dr. Ayala’s professional accomplishments focus on supporting post-secondary students with disabilities. He served as Principle Investigator for EnACT and EnACT~PTD (U.S. Department of Education) and Project Co-Director for Access by Design (National Science Foundation). These federal grants were designed to support professional development activities for faculty and administrators at institutions of higher education with the goal of providing a quality education for postsecondary students with disabilities.
- Email: ecayala@csusm.edu
Rebecca Brooks
Dr. Rebecca Brooks is an Associate Professor of Education for the School of Education and Program Director for the Aspiring Scholars Program (an inclusive post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities) at California State University at San Marcos. Dr. Brooks has worked with individuals with disabilities in recreational, vocational, residential, and educational settings for over 30 years. Prior to her faculty appointment, she served as a special educator in public schools for 16 years, dedicating her career to including students with disabilities in general education settings. She developed peer tutoring programs and focused on creating accessible curriculum for all students. Her published works have been in the areas of inclusive education, curriculum adaptations, and peer tutoring. She is a nationwide presenter and consultant in the area of effective inclusive schooling practices. Her research interests focus on access to general education curriculum, accommodations and modifications, the development and implementation of peer tutoring support systems, and inclusive post-secondary education programs.
- Email: rbrooks@csusm.edu
- Phone: (760) 750-8506
Jodi Robledo
Dr. Jodi Robledo is a Professor in Special Education at California State University, San Marcos and serves as the Program Coordinator of the Education Specialist Credential Programs and Master’s Degree option. Dr. Robledo also teaches courses in the Speech-Language Pathology Department. Prior to this appointment, she was K-12 Autism Specialist and Education Specialist in an urban multicultural school district. Dr. Robledo currently teaches courses with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, supporting individuals with moderate/severe disabilities, and inclusive education. She has joint referred journal publications, several book chapters, and numerous national conference presentations. Her research interests focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, supportive relationships, sensory and movement differences, building self-advocacy skills in youth with ASD, and inclusive education.
- Email: jrobledo@csusm.edu
- Phone: (760) 750-4317