ITEP Preliminary Special Education Credential Program

Program Overview

The ITEP Education Specialist Option has been created to enable Undergraduate Liberal Studies ITEP students to obtain both a Multiple Subject teaching credential and an Education Specialist credential to be prepared to teach diverse learners in public school settings.  Students entering this program are Freshmen or Junior transfer students who have declared the Liberal Studies major at CSULB.

Students who complete this option will be credentialed to teach in both general education and special education at the completion of their Bachelor's Degree program in Liberal Studies. 

The Education Specialist Credential Program prepares candidates to teach individuals in the areas of Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe disabilities.  The program's goals are to assist candidates in becoming:

  • Effective and caring teachers;
  • Partners with parents and others in the development of high quality educational program;
  • Life long learners engaged in program development reflective of best practices in special education.

The program themes of Collaboration, Diversity, Literacy, Technology, and Transition emphasize current issues of importance to the field of special education, and are addressed across the curriculum.

Other special education programs in the CSULB College of Education

ITEP ESCP Courses

The following courses are required in addition to the Liberal Studies degree courses and the Multiple Subject Credential courses:

Prerequisites - 6 units

Note: These courses must be completed or in progress at time of application to program.

  • EDSP 454 - Development of Communication Skills in a Bilingual Context (3 units)
  • ED P 405 - Positive Strategies in Classroom Management (3 units)

Core Courses - 15 units

Candidates must be admitted to the program to enroll in these courses.

  • EDSP 480 - Foundations of Inclusive Education in a Diverse Society (3 units)
  • EDSP 534 - Collaboration & Transition in Special Education (3 units)
  • EDSP 564 - Assessment & Evaluation of Students with Disabilities (3 units)
  • ED P 560 - Behavior Analysis & Interventions (3 units)
  • EDSP 577 - Instructional Methods & Strategies for Individuals with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
    or
    EDSP 578 - Instructional Methods & Strategies for Individuals with Moderate/ Severe Disabilities

Final Fieldwork - 6 units (student teaching)   

Candidates must meet state and program conditions for advancement to field study.  Candidates must obtain a Final Fieldwork Application from the website and apply to Final Fieldwork at the beginning of the semester prior to enrolling in the courses listed below.  See the Final Fieldwork website for more information on Final Fieldwork, the application process and deadlines.

  • EDSP 587B - Advanced Field Study and Seminar for Mild/Moderate (6 units)
    -OR-
    EDSP 588B - Advanced Field Study and Seminar for Moderate/Severe (6 units)

*Completed after MSCP student teaching. With advisor permission, students may take EDSP 577 or 578 concurrently with EDSP 587/588B.

Program Admissions

Candidates must meet the following admission criteria to be eligible for admission to the Education Specialist Credential Program:

  • Submission of a complete application packet prior to the appropriate deadline 
  • G.P.A. of at least 2.75 for the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units, or 2.67 overall 
  • Completion and passage of oral interview with program faculty 
  • Verification of CBEST attempt; verification of passage is preferred
  • Current TB test verification 
  • Successful completion of prerequisite courses 

For complete Admission and Application requirements and procedures click on ITEP ESCP Admissions in the navigation menu on the left.