MA in Teaching, Preliminary Education Specialist with Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential

Prerequisites: EDUU 516.

Candidates will develop the knowledge of typical and atypical development, appropriate and safe procedures, technology, and adaptive equipment, to meet the health and mobility needs of students with mild to extensive support needs, including medically fragile, deaf/blind, and traumatic brain injury students, to create and support access to safe and accessible learning environments that facilitate student learning and engagement with the core curriculum. Candidates will develop the knowledge and skills to collaboratively plan instruction that incorporates a range of communication strategies and age-appropriate, functional and meaningful activities to encourage student participation in learning, and utilizes assistive technology and AAC, including low- and high-tech equipment and materials, to promote curriculum access and skills development while addressing functional limitations of movement and/or sensation of students with disabilities. 25 hours of focused observations are required for each class in this program.

Prerequisites: for MMSN/ESN Special Education students: EDUU 516; for ECSE students: EDUU 665; School psychology and school counseling students have no Prerequisites for this course.

A study of theories, practices and ethical issues in modifying and remediating behavior with an emphasis on creating positive, productive school climates and implementing effective, positive and respectful applied behavior analysis techniques. A minimum of 25 hours of authentic field experience is required for this course.

Prerequisites: for special education students: EDUU 516.

School psychology candidates have no prerequisites for this course. The course is designed both for special education teachers and school psychologists. Candidates will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate assessment results during the pre-referral and IEP process. Emphasis is placed on the development of appropriate educational and IEP decisions on the basis of a variety of standardized and non-standardized assessments and related services that are appropriate to the diverse needs of individual students. Candidates will learn to make appropriate recommendations both for report writing and for IEP goals and objectives. This course will also examine the history, law, and legal mandates of the IEP process to provide candidates with an understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities for serving students with disabilities in California. Due process guidelines and procedures will be reviewed, as well as current trends and local policies. Candidates may be expected to observe an IEP meeting. 25 hours of fieldwork are required for this course.

Prerequisites: EDUU 517.

Candidates will learn advanced methods and strategies for teaching students with a variety of disabilities. The course will focus on adapting, planning, and adjusting instruction that is standards-aligned and tailored to the unique needs of students and their families. Candidates will design learning experiences that encompass the monitoring and the assessment of student learning in a safe and effective learning environment. Additional emphasis will be placed on the importance of coordination, collaboration, co-teaching and effective communication with other service providers. Reflection on one’s own teaching and the importance of professional development to one’s practice will also be reinforced in the course. 25 hours of fieldwork will be required for each class in this program.

Prerequisites: EDUU 517.

Candidates will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to use and communicate assessment results. A variety of individualized assessment and evaluation approaches appropriate for students with mild/moderate and extensive support needs will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed on the skill of making appropriate educational decisions based on a variety of standardized and non-standardized techniques, instruments, and processes that are appropriate to the diverse needs of individual students. Candidates will learn to identify individual strengths and weaknesses and monitor progress of student achievement. 25 hours of fieldwork will be required for each class in this program. Those hours will be completed through a combination of field-based assignments, video observations and interviews. A minimum of half of these hours will be completed at a school/field site. This course has required assessment training. This requirement may be completed via an approved district or county assessment training.

Prerequisites: EDUU 517.

This course focuses on professional collaboration, co-teaching, and conflict resolution techniques for those working with individuals with disabilities in home, school, and community settings. Candidates will learn to use a variety of effective collaboration and co-teaching teaching strategies, problem solving methods, effective communication and negotiation techniques, to enhance content and learning for individuals with disabilities. Ethical and legal issues, and culturally responsive practices in collaboration and co-teaching are addressed. 25 hours of fieldwork will be required for each class in this program.