Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential: Special Education
The Education Specialist Preliminary Credential program in Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) prepares teachers to work with K-12 transition age students identified with mild to moderate support needs, including learning disabilities, English language learners with language/learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, speech and language disabilities, autism, visual or auditory processing difficulties, and mild intellectual disabilities.
The MMSN program provides instruction and applied experiences in legal issues, psychoeducational assessment, data-based decision making, instructional programming, behavior management, culturally responsive pedagogy, and collaboration and co-teaching among general and special educators to promote inclusive education. Credential candidates learn to develop close relationships with students and their families, and apply specialized techniques in numerous educational settings. In addition, 600 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork and student teaching ensures that teacher candidates are able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through course content and assignments to the instruction of students with mild to moderate support needs in urban school settings.
Admissions
Admission and credential requirements include the following:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. (Required for admission)
- Satisfy Subject Matter Competency Requirement: Successful passage of the CSET Multiple Subjects Test or by completing a subject matter program prior to admission. May be satisfied by completing the subject matter requirements outlined for the Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credentials. Required for all education specialist areas except Early Childhood Special Education. (Required for admission)
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of the United States Constitution, prior to award of credential. Applicants may satisfy the U.S. Constitution requirement either by coursework or examination.
- Satisfy Basic Skills Requirement: successful passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), CSET Multiple Subjects Test plus CSET Writing Skills Test, OR an approved out-of-state basic skills exam. Refer to the department application for additional ways of satisfying the Basic Skills Requirement using the ELM/EPT, SAT, and/or ACT scores. (Required for admission)
- Complete Certificate of Clearance: Fingerprint Clearance via LiveScan and Commission on Teacher Credentialing online application process. (Required for admission)
- Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) examination, prior to award of credential. RICA is required for all education specialist areas, except Early Childhood Special Education.
- Apply for student teaching, with annual deadlines of February 28 for fall enrollment and September 28 for spring enrollment.
- Complete an approved program of professional preparation. Submit a Credential Approved Program (CAP) prior to student teaching reflecting all coursework completed or to be completed and non-curricular requirements (submitted with the application for student teaching).
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): must cover infant, child and adult CPR; an online course is not acceptable.
Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential: Special Education - 48 units
Core (24 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| E ED 784 | Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics (CLAD Emphasis) | 3 |
| SPED 747 | Physical Disabilities and Sensory Impairments | 3 |
| SPED 763 | Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 774 | Positive Behavior Support | 3 |
| SPED 788 | Law, Ethics, and Instructional Planning | 3 |
| Select One: | 3 | |
| Nature of the Autism Spectrum | ||
| Communication, Behavior and Instructional Supports: Autism | ||
| SPED 801 | Development, Diversity, and English Language Learners: Special Education | 3 |
| Health Education Requirement 1 | 3 | |
Methods Courses (12 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 770 | Introduction to Students with Mild/Moderate Support Needs | 3 |
| SPED 772 | Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction for Students with Mild/Moderate Support Needs | 3 |
| SPED 775 | Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 778 | Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Special Education | 3 |
Student Teaching (12 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 726 | Workshop: Student Teaching Support Sessions for Mild/Moderate Support Needs or Orientation Mobility | 3 |
| SPED 730 | Student Teaching: Special Education | 9 |
- 1
A list of CTC approved health education courses is available on the department website: https://sped.sfsu.edu/content/forms-0