Child and Adolescent Development (Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential) BA + Special Education MA + Visual Impairment Credential SF State Scholars Roadmap

The San Francisco State Scholars program provides undergraduate students with an accelerated pathway to a graduate degree. Students in this program pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously. This program allows students to earn graduate credit while in their junior and/or senior year, reducing the number of semesters required for completion of a master’s degree.

This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult your Degree Planner and an advisor for further guidance.

To avoid taking additional units, it is recommended that you meet the SF State Studies (AERM, GP, ESCA, SJ) requirements within your GE or major.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterUnits
GE Area 1A: English Composition 1 3
GE Area 1: English Communication 3
GE Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities 3
SF State Studies or University Elective 3
 Units15
Spring Semester
CAD 210 Introduction to Applied Child and Adolescent Development (Major Core, GE 4) 3
CAD 260 Children, Families, and Community: An Ecological Perspective (Major Core, GE 4, AERM, GP) 3
GE Area 1: English Communication 3
GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences with USH 3
SF State Studies or University Elective 3
 Units15
Second Year
Summer Semester
SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 6
 Units6
Fall Semester
GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities 3
GE Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences 3 3-4
GE Area 6: Ethnic Studies 3
U.S. and California Government 3
SF State Studies or University Elective 3
 Units15-16
Spring Semester
CAD 300 Professional Roles and Careers in Child and Adolescent Development (Major Core) 3
MATH 165 Concepts of the Number System (Major Concentration) 3
GE Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences 3 3-4
SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 6
 Units15-16
Third Year
Summer Semester
SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 6
 Units6
Fall Semester
CAD 410GW Applied Developmental Science: Prenatal Through Early Childhood - GWAR (Major Core) 3
Language Studies Course (Major Concentration) 4 3-4
History Course (Major Concentration) 5 3
Art Course (Major Concentration) 6 3
GE Area 5UD or 2UD: Upper-Division Sciences or Upper-Division Mathematical Concepts 7 3
 Units15-16
Spring Semester
CAD 411 Applied Developmental Science: Middle Childhood through Emerging Adulthood (Major Core) 3
SPED 655 Basic Orientation and Mobility for Learners with Visual Impairments (Credential, Graduate Elective) 8 3
Science Course (Major Concentration) 9 3
Literature Course (Major Concentration) 10 3
Physical Education Course (Major Concentration) 11 3
 Units15
Fourth Year
Summer Semester
SF State Studies or University Elective 3
GE Area 3UD: Upper-Division Arts or Humanities 7 3
 Units6
Fall Semester
CAD 500 Research Methods in Child and Adolescent Development (Major Core) 3
CAD 625 Children, Youth, and Public Policy (Major Core) 3
Select One (Graduate Core): 3
Seminar in Educational Research  
Research in Special Education  
SPED 749 Medical, Educational, and Rehabilitative Implications of Visual Impairment (Credential) 4
SPED 763 Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities (Credential, Graduate Elective) 8 3
 Units16
Spring Semester
CAD 660 Applied Advanced Developmental Science in Child and Adolescent Development (Major Core) 3
SPED 750 Assessment for Learners with Visual Impairments (Credential, Graduate Elective) 8 3
SPED 757 Visual Impairment: Special Populations (Credential, Graduate Elective) 8 3
SPED 788 Law, Ethics, and Instructional Planning (Credential, Graduate Core) 3
GE Area 4UD: Upper-Division Social and Behavioral Sciences 7 3
 Units15
Fifth Year
Summer Semester
SPED 735 Technology for Blind and Low Vision Students (Credential) 3
SF State Studies or University Elective 3
 Units6
Fall Semester
E ED 784 Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics (CLAD Emphasis) (Credential) 3
E ED 882 Literacy Instruction in K-12 Classrooms (Credential) 3
SPED 701 Education Specialist Intern Teacher Support Seminar (Credential, Graduate Related Studies) 12 3
SPED 754 Basic Communication Skills for Learners with Visual Impairments (Credential) 3
 Units12
Spring Semester
SPED 723 Workshop: Student Teaching Support Sessions for Extensive Support Needs or Visual Impairments (Credential) 3
SPED 730 Student Teaching: Special Education (Credential) 9
 Units12
Sixth Year
Summer Semester
SPED 775 Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Special Education (Credential) 3
 Units3
Fall Semester
SPED 751 Instruction for Learners with Visual Impairments (Credential) 3
SPED 752 Issues in Visual Impairment (Credential) 3
SPED 753 Living Skills Assessment and Instruction for Learners with Visual Impairments (Credential) 3
SPED 801 Development, Diversity, and English Language Learners: Special Education (Credential, Graduate Core) 3
 Units12
Spring Semester
SPED 758 Advanced Communication Skills for Learners with Visual Impairments (Credential) 3
Health Education Course 13 3
Culminating Experience 14 6
 Units12
 Total Units196-199
1

Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 1A course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.

2

Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 2 course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.

3

Consider taking a class combined with a laboratory or a separate lab to fulfill 5C if not already satisfied.

4

Language Studies Courses
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.

5

History Courses
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.

6

Art Courses
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.

7

It is highly recommended that students attempt to fulfill upper-division GE requirements (2UD/5UD, 3UD, and 4UD) through Concentration courses.

8

Upper-Division/Graduate Courses (12 units)
Courses in Special Education that align with the professional interest and career goals of the student, selected with a faculty advisor. No more than 9 units of upper-division coursework can be counted towards the degree.

9

Science Courses
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.

10

Literature Courses
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.

11

Physical Education Courses
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.

12

Related Studies (3 units)
Selected upon approval of major faculty advisor in a program area.

13

Health Education
A list of CTC approved health education courses is available on the department website: https://sped.sfsu.edu/content/forms-0

14

Culminating Experience (6 units)
Students will be required to complete one of the following options for the approved culminating experience, following advancement to candidacy:

Option 1

  • SPED 890
  • One graduate seminar outside of the interest area selected in consultation with an advisor. 

Option 2

  • SPED 894 Creative Work Project in Special Education
  • One graduate seminar outside the interest area selected in consultation with an advisor.

Option 3

  • SPED 898 Master's Thesis
  • One graduate seminar outside the interest area selected in consultation with an advisor.