Education Specialist Credential Program (ESCP)

Preliminary Credential

The Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential is valid for five years from the date of issuance. Education Specialist Candidates must satisfy all of the following requirements put forth by California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: 

1. Obtain a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university, or equivalent. 
2. Satisfy the basic skills requirement. See Credential leaflet CL-667 for additional information. 
3. Demonstrate Subject Matter Competence via one of the options set forth by Commission on Teacher Credentialing. See the Subject Matter Requirements website. 
4. Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). RICA is not required for individuals who hold a valid California teaching credential, which was issued based upon possession of a bachelor’s degree and completion of a teacher preparation program including student teaching. Visit the Evaluation Systems, Pearson website for more information. 
5. Complete a course (two semester units or three-quarter units) or pass an examination given by a regionally-accredited college or university in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution. 
6. Hold valid CPR certification that covers infant, child, and adult CPR skills.
7. Complete a Commission-approved Education Specialist Credential program in an education specialist specialty area resulting in formal recommendation by the Commission-approved program sponsor through which requirements are completed. 
8. Obtain Commission on Teacher Credentialing Certificate of Clearance. 
9. Successfully pass Education Specialist Teacher Performance Assessments (CALTPA) 

Admission to the University

Admission to the university and admission to the Education Specialist Credential Program (ESCP) are two separate processes. Applications to the university are made online through Cal State Apply. Graduating seniors, transfer students, and returning students should apply for post-baccalaureate admission to the university with the objective of entering the credential program. Tips on how to apply to the university as a post-baccalaureate student to pursue the credential program can be found on the website at ESCP. Admission to the university does not constitute admission to the program.

Admission to the Program

Matriculated students may be admitted to the program based on their current undergraduate or graduate status. Pre-program advisement is available in the Teacher Preparation Advising Center (EED-67; TPAC Website). Prospective candidates are encouraged to attend a program information meeting (see schedule at ESCP). The program application can be obtained from the Education Specialist Credential Program (ESCP) website. Application for admission to the ESCP must be made the semester before beginning the program core courses. Students may apply to the program while taking prerequisite courses. Application submission directions can be found on the website. 

Program Admission Requirements

• Successful completion of prerequisite courses EDSP 454  and EDSP 410  with a C or better. 
• Attain a grade point average of at least 2.67 in all baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate course work or a grade point average of at least 2.75 in the last 60-semester or 90-quarter units.
• Complete and pass a group interview with program faculty.
• Submit two recommendation forms from individuals who are well acquainted with your educational training, relevant teaching, and other related experiences. Recommendation forms are confidential and must be submitted following directions per the application. 
• Provide documentation of a structured field experience of at least 45 hours in a classroom setting through EDSP 454  (25 hours) and EDSP 410  (25 hours).
• Submit a typed personal essay describing how your interest in special education began; your short term and long-term career goals; and how the programs goals fit your personal goals.
• Submit a negative tuberculosis skin test taken within the last four (4) years or chest x-ray taken within the last eight (8) years. Tuberculosis clearance must be valid through student teaching.
• Submit one copy of unofficial transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended.
• Submit proof of meeting the Basic Skills Requirement.
• Submit proof of having demonstrated Subject Matter Competence.
• Submit proof of valid CTC Clearance.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally in English at the level required of public-school teachers by demonstration of English production skills in the course EDSP 454  and through an oral interview with department faculty.
• Demonstrate professional educator dispositions that satisfy the standards of the teaching profession and suitable aptitude for teaching in public schools through the application documentation, the group interview, and performance in the EDSP 454  and EDSP 410  courses. Candidates must continue to demonstrate appropriate dispositions through completion of the program.
• Submit a complete application packet by May 1st to begin core courses in summer, July 1st to begin core courses in fall, or by December 1st to begin core courses in winter or spring. 
• Applicants will be informed by email of the decision of the program faculty regarding program admission. Upon acceptance, the candidate is required to attend a mandatory advisement meeting to create their Advisement Plan and receive permission to enroll in program core courses.

Clinical Practice Fieldwork

Candidates are required to complete clinical practice across a variety of ages, settings, and ability levels in approved public-school settings. Clinical practice includes 200 hours of early fieldwork, completed through coursework prior to student teaching, and 400 hours of final clinical fieldwork in student teaching. Prior to beginning fieldwork for prerequisite or core courses all students must have character clearance from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and a valid TB Test. All fieldwork must be completed in a school in which CSULB has a current Affiliation Agreement on file. For more information on fieldwork requirements, and for a list of sites in which CSULB has an Affiliation Agreement with, visit the Office of Clinical Practice website at the OCP Website.

Requirements for the Education Specialist Credential Program (ESCP)

To be considered for full admission in the ESCP program, candidates must complete the following courses (6 units):

Application and Admission to the Intern Pathway

The Education Specialist Credential Program Internship Pathway (ESIP) is available for candidates who are admitted to the Education Specialist Credential Program, have completed the requirements to be eligible for an internship listed below and have been offered full time employment in a public-school district in which CSULB has an approved Internship Agreement on file. Positions must be approved by the Intern Program Coordinator.

To be eligible for an internship, ESCP Candidates must have met ALL of the following requirements in addition to the program admission requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from a US accredited institution or equivalent.
• Have an offer of full-time employment in a school district within the CSULB service area in which CSULB has a current agreement on file and where the position has been approved by the Education Specialist Credential Program.
• Be fully admitted to the Education Specialist Credential Program and remain in good standing with the program.
• Be a matriculated CSULB student and enroll in EDSP 586  each semester as an active intern with the exception of the semester/s enrolled in final fieldwork (student teaching).
• Have met Subject Matter Competency.
• Have completed the Basic Skills Requirement.
• Have completed the US Constitution Requirement.
• Complete EDSP 454 , EDSP 410 , EDEL 452 , UDCP 400 .

Intern Application Guidelines are available on the website at the ESCP Website. A list of districts with which the program has intern contractual agreements is available on the ESCP website and the Office of Clinical Practice website.

Adding an Additional or Dual Credential Authorization

Candidates who complete or currently hold a Mild Moderate or Extensive Support Needs credential and wish to add an additional credential must complete the methods course (EDSP 577  /EDSP 578 ) and 4 units of student teaching (EDSP 587A  /EDSP 588A ) in the second authorization area for a duration of 8 weeks.

Candidates who hold a valid Multiple or Single Subject Credential and wish to add on an Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Support Needs or Extensive Support Needs credential will be considered for courses equivalencies for an expedited pathway, and complete 4 units (EDSP 587A  /EDSP 588A ) of student teaching in the selected credential area for a duration of 8 weeks.

The candidate’s overall grade point average must continue to meet the program admission standard. A 3.0 grade point average in the core courses is required to advance to final fieldwork (student teaching).

Candidates adding a credential who are in the ESIP program must identify and work closely with a site-based support team comprised of their site-support coach, principal, and other school and district support personnel throughout the duration of their internship.

Student Teaching (Final Fieldwork) Requirements for the ESCP and ESIP

The final phase of the ESCP and ESIP programs is student teaching (final fieldwork). Student Teaching is full time, 5 days a week for the length of the CSULB semester, for a minimum of 400 hours. ESCP candidate’s student teach as a traditional student teacher under the direction of a cooperating teacher. Traditional ESCP student teaching placements are made through the Office of Clinical Practice in conjunction with cooperating districts. Self-placements are not permitted. ESIP candidates use their current position in a special education setting where they are the teacher of record as their student teaching (final fieldwork) placement. A separate application is required for student teaching (final fieldwork). Applications for student teaching must be submitted by the posted deadlines during the semester prior to which the candidate wishes to student teach. Student teaching applications are available on the program website.

Upon notification of acceptance to student teaching, candidates register for student teaching coursework and the student teaching seminar: EDSP 587  & EDSP 589  or EDSP 588  & EDSP 589 . For more details regarding student teaching, see the ESCP program website.

To be eligible for student teaching (final fieldwork), candidates must:

• Have completed subject matter competency. 
• Have completed the basic skills requirement.
• Complete all program prerequisite and core courses with a 3.0 grade point average.
• Have on file a negative tuberculosis skin test or chest X-ray valid through completion of student teaching.
• Submit proof of a valid Certificate of Clearance or a valid 30-Day Substitute permit issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Submit proof of registration and/or passing of RICA. Must be passed prior to recommendation of credential. 
• Submit a complete student teaching application by the appropriate deadline: October 1 for spring student teaching; March 15 for fall student teaching.

Clear Credential

The Preliminary credential is valid for five years from the date of issuance and is not renewable. During the first five years of teaching, teachers earn the Clear Credential through their District-Sponsored Induction Program.

Petition Process

Appeals to program decisions or requests for policy waivers are made by filing a written appeal to the program appeals committee. The committee reviews the written statement and supporting evidence. After the review, the committee renders its final decision. Examples of petitionable policies are: the minimum grade point average required for program admission, waiving the deadline for submission of a test score, waiving an application deadline, completing all program courses prior to student teaching, readmission to student teaching, and course equivalencies. Consult the program website for a full list of program policies. Students follow university procedures (available elsewhere in this Catalog) to appeal a course final grade.