Basic Teaching Credentials

The CSU prepares teachers for positions in California as well as other states. It is in the student's best interest to be knowledgeable about credential or licensure requirements of the state in which they intend to teach.

The Preliminary Education Specialist credential with an authorization in Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) is intended to better prepare teachers to serve students across a range of disabilities. The program at CSUSB is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and requires early fieldwork and supervised clinical practice for a total of 600 hours in school settings within San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Field work experiences totaling 200 hours are embedded in the credential coursework and practicum. Supervised clinical practice totaling 400 hours is completed in schools within partnering districts in San Bernardino and Riverside counties supervised jointly by a district employed cooperating teacher and university employed supervisor. Supervision by the university is an in-person learning experience. The program also meets state standards authorizing instruction to English learners to develop English language skills including reading.

Mild to Moderate Support Needs includes providing specially designed instruction to access grade level California Content Standards in the Least Restrictive Environment. The education specialist provides instruction and supports in one or more of the following domains: academics, communication, gross/fine motor, social-emotional, behavioral, vocational, and learning environment access skills. The supports may also include health, movement and sensory support. Mild to Moderate Support Needs practices may include lower student to educator ratio. 

The Education Specialist Instruction Credential: Mild to Moderate Support Needs authorizes the holder to conduct Educational Assessments related to students’ access to the academic curriculum and progress towards meeting instructional goals, provide instruction, and Special Education Support to students with mild to moderate support needs related to one or more of the following disabilities: autism, emotional disturbance, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, and traumatic brain injury; in kindergarten, including transitional kindergarten, grades 1-12 through age 22, and classes organized primarily for adults in services across the continuum of program options available.

Admission to the Program

1. Completion of an application form;
2. Original verification of meeting the basic skills requirement by one of the following methods:
   1. Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST);
   2. Pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills examination;
   3. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examination;
   4. Achieve qualifying score on the SAT or ACT;
   5. College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations;
   6. Pass basic skills examination from another state;
   7. Meet the basic skills requirement by coursework;
   8. Meet the basic skills requirement by coursework and exam.
3. Original verification of subject matter knowledge by one of the following:
   1. passage of CSET examination(s) as appropriate for the multiple subject credential, or for the single subject credential in the areas of art, English, foreign language, mathematics including foundational-level mathematics, music, social science, or science including foundational-level general science and specialized science; or
   2. by completion of a subject matter program as appropriate for the multiple subject credential, or for the single subject credential in the areas of art, English, foreign language, mathematics including foundational-level mathematics, music, social science, or science including foundational-level general science and specialized science;
   3. verification of holding a valid California clear, professional clear, preliminary, Level I, or life teaching credential requiring a baccalaureate or higher degree, verification of subject-matter competence, and a program of professional preparation, including student teaching.
4. All applicants are required to enter two names and emails addresses of persons who can address scholastic performance and suitability for teaching (recommendations are required to be submitted by the program deadline date, letters of recommendation will not be accepted);
5. A written personal narrative to be reviewed and approved by the Special Education Program Coordinator;
6. Verification of a negative tuberculin examination within the last four years;
7. Academic achievement, verified through official transcripts from ALL institutions of higher education attended. Applicants must possess a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.67 in all baccalaureate and postbaccalaureate course work or at least 2.75 in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units attempted;
8. Documentation of 45 hours of experience in K-12 classrooms;
9. Submission of an application for a certificate of clearance or evidence of a credential or permit authorizing public school teaching in California;
10. Verification of attendance at a Special Education Information Session;
11. Satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of "B" or better (6 units):

1. ESPE 5530	Introduction to Special Education	3
   ESPE 5531	Methods and Procedures in Special Education	3

Upon admission to the university and the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program, all candidates must participate in the mandatory New Student Orientation. At this session, candidates will receive a program handbook and will be advised on completing an approved Coursework Plan.

Admission to Supervised Student Teaching

One semester in advance of the time candidates intend to enroll in supervised student teaching (ESPE 6620), candidates are required to submit an application for supervision. This application is due by Friday of the third week of the semester prior to enrolling in supervised student teaching (no applications are accepted in the summer).

Admission to supervised student teaching is based on the following criteria and conditions:

1. Completion of an application form submitted online;
2. Verification of an approved Coursework Plan including documentation of approved course substitutions;
3. Verification of complete PAF with official written verification that the applicant has passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and subject matter competency;
4. Satisfactory completion of program prerequisites and credential coursework (ESPE 6609, ESPE 6610, ESPE 6611, ESPE 6612, ESPE 6613, ESPE 6614, and ESPE 5514) with a grade point average of 3.0 ("B") and no course grade lower than "B-;"
5. Verification of a negative tuberculin examination within the last four years.

All coursework taken at another college and substituted for credential program requirements is subject to approval by the coordinator of the Special Education Program. All course work taken at another institution, or more than seven years ago, is subject to approval by the coordinator of the Special Education Program. No more than 15 semester units of the credential program may be transferred. Student teaching is never transferable. 

Student teaching for the credential is a full-time assignment for one semester of ESPE 6620 (concurrent with no more than two required credential courses). No concurrent course work should be taken beyond the required Preliminary Education Specialist credential courses in mild/moderate disabilities without permission of the program coordinator. Students who fail to complete any required credential program coursework will be denied continuation in the program.

Recommendation for the Credential

In addition to the program admission requirements and successful completion of required credential coursework and student teaching, the candidate must successfully complete the following requirements in order to be recommended for the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities:

1. Completion of the upper-division writing requirement 
2. Completion of the U.S. Constitution requirement by one of the following:

   Approved U.S. Constitution course successfully completed at CSUSB
   Successful completion of an examination administered through the College of Extended Learning;
   Approved U.S. Constitution course substitution from another university;

3. Verification that basic skills requirement and subject matter knowledge requirements have been fully met;
4. Verification of a passing score on the RICA (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. Call the Credentials Office, (909) 537-5609, for further information.
5. A grade point average of 3.0 ("B") in professional education course work, with no course grade lower than "B-;" no candidate may be recommended for the credential who has received a grade lower than "B-" in professional education course work including prerequisites; in the case of a repeated class, only the highest grade the student has received will be considered for the purpose of this requirement.

Credential Requirements (32 units)

Completion of the following courses with a grade point average of 3.0 or better with no grade lower than a "B-:"