Make a Difference in the Lives of Diverse Learners

This CTC-accredited Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential prepares you to support students with a wide range of intellectual, behavioral, emotional, communication, sensory, or motor disabilities. You’ll build a strong foundation in special education through engaging coursework and hands-on fieldwork, empowering you to design individualized education plans tailored to each student’s strengths and needs. After just four classes, you’ll be eligible to start as an intern teacher — earning a salary while you complete your credential.

  • Work with Students and Families: In core courses, you’ll learn different assessment and evaluation procedures used in special education, and how to interpret results and share them with family members.
  • Work with Students of Various Ages: This Mild to Moderate Support Needs Special Education Credential prepares you to work in California school systems with K-12 students and adults up to the age of 22.
  • Curriculum Design, Classroom Management: You’ll use California content standards to learn to design developmentally appropriate lessons, to understand and differentiate instruction for varying needs, and to assess student progress.

At a Glance

Online
39 Credits
$750/Credit
Help me estimate my cost
Next Start Date
Spring I (Jan 12, 2026)

Program Benefits that Benefit You.

EdSp CalTPA Support

Continuous, embedded Ed Specialist CA Teaching Performance Assessment (EdSp CalTPA) preparation built into every stage of your credential journey.

Preparing California’s Teachers

UMass Global is California’s second largest provider of teaching credentials; our history of support for education goes back to our founding in 1958.

Innovative, Engaging Teaching Technologies

Advanced tools and platforms built into the curriculum enable real-time collaboration and feedback, empowering students to learn their way.

Career Outlook for Teaching Credential - SPED (Mild to Moderate Support Needs)

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Results for:
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring

Data source: Lightcast™ 2025 www.lightcast.io

The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.

  1. Change in employment projections 2022 - 2032
  2. Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and updated quarterly
  3. The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program

Courses You Might Take

EDUU 511

Inclusive Practices for Student Success

3 Credits
EDMU 520

Literacy and Language in K-8 Classrooms I

3 Credits
EDSP 541

IEP Case Management and Assessment

3 Credits
EDUU 602

Positive Behavior Supports

3 Credits
EDSU 541

Effective Instruction for STEAM Content Areas for Single Subject Candidates

3 Credits
EDSP 542

Understanding Diversity and Special Education Law

3 Credits

What is it like going to UMass Global?

Instructor-Led, Session-Based

This program is delivered in an instructor-led format, with eight-week sessions and multiple start dates per year for flexibility. In each class, you'll focus on one topic at a time and can take a session off if needed — no penalty. Courses include online lectures, group discussions, and structured assignments with set deadlines. This format offers clear milestones and peer interaction, making it ideal for students who thrive in a structured, yet flexible, online learning environment.

Personalized Support Services

UMass Global meets you wherever you are in life, with dedicated support at every step. From enrollment coaching and financial aid to academic advising and career services, we're committed to your success. Access personalized guidance, flexible resources, and a supportive community, empowering you to achieve your educational goals, no matter your starting point.

Office meeting

Employer-Aligned Curriculum

At UMass Global, our employer-aligned curriculum ensures that coursework is directly relevant to today’s workplace. Designed with input from industry experts and faculty who are also working professionals, our programs focus on practical, career-advancing skills. Using a “backwards course design,” we tailor coursework to meet current job market needs. Our diverse faculty provides real-world insights and mentorship, ensuring that the skills you learn are immediately applicable to your career or future career changes.

Office meeting

Instructor-Led, Session-Based

This program is delivered in an instructor-led format, with eight-week sessions and multiple start dates per year for flexibility. In each class, you'll focus on one topic at a time and can take a session off if needed — no penalty. Courses include online lectures, group discussions, and structured assignments with set deadlines. This format offers clear milestones and peer interaction, making it ideal for students who thrive in a structured, yet flexible, online learning environment.

Personalized Support Services

UMass Global meets you wherever you are in life, with dedicated support at every step. From enrollment coaching and financial aid to academic advising and career services, we're committed to your success. Access personalized guidance, flexible resources, and a supportive community, empowering you to achieve your educational goals, no matter your starting point.

Office meeting

Employer-Aligned Curriculum

At UMass Global, our employer-aligned curriculum ensures that coursework is directly relevant to today’s workplace. Designed with input from industry experts and faculty who are also working professionals, our programs focus on practical, career-advancing skills. Using a “backwards course design,” we tailor coursework to meet current job market needs. Our diverse faculty provides real-world insights and mentorship, ensuring that the skills you learn are immediately applicable to your career or future career changes.

Office meeting

Our Faculty

All Faculty
Natasha Ferrell, PhD
Associate Dean, School of Education, Associate Professor of Education
Natasha Ferrell PhD

Become the Teacher Who Inspired You

Have questions about enrollment, degree programs or financial aid? A UMass Global enrollment coach can help.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the teaching credential program must complete the formal application process with all required documents, which include:

  • Completed application
  • 2.75 grade point average (GPA)
  • Official transcripts showing a conferred Bachelor's degree from a institutionally accredited institution

California Only

Successful completion of this program leads to state licensure, which is limited to the state of California, and approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Letter of Good Standing

Applicants transferring from another institution's teaching credential program must supply a letter from that institution's Education Department attesting to the applicant's good standing in the program. The letter should be written on institutional letterhead by the Dean, department chair, director of teacher education, or someone in a similar position.

Subject Matter Verification

Subject matter competencies must be fulfilled to qualify for enrollment in student teaching or internship. Candidates must sign an intent to satisfy the subject matter competency requirement through one of the following: CSET exam, subject matter preparation program, approved coursework aligned with subject matter domains, or approved academic degree.

WASC Senior College and University Commission

University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

California Commission on Teaching Credentialing

University of Massachusetts Global's School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CTC)

Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation

University of Massachusetts Global is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Special Education

There are many essential characteristics for teachers who work with special needs students. Some examples include:

  • They are active listeners
  • They have strong social perception skills
  • They understand how to support different learning styles
  • They are adept at complex problem-solving
  • They are service-oriented

Teaching Credentials

A Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential authorizes the holder to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K-12 and through age 22 in California. This credential prepares educators to work in general and inclusive classrooms, focusing on behavior support, communication strategies, and adaptive skills. It is the initial credential required for those seeking to enter the field of special education with a focus on students who can participate in a general classroom environment with low support needs.

Even if you stay in your home state and have no intentions of moving, most teachers still have to renew their credentials every five years. One of the main criteria for renewal is showing proof of dedication to continuing education, whether through in-service training sessions or formal academic study.

A Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential authorizes the holder to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K-12 and through age 22 in California. This credential prepares educators to work in general and inclusive classrooms, focusing on behavior support, communication strategies, and adaptive skills. It is the initial credential required for those seeking to enter the field of special education, with a focus on working with students with fewer support needs.

The Preliminary Education Specialist, Extensive Support Needs Credential is distinct from other special education credentials primarily because of its specialized focus on students with higher support needs, including those with autism, multiple disabilities, or cognitive disabilities. This credential authorizes the holder to teach students in grades K-12 and through age 22 in California. It prepares educators to work in specialized and inclusive settings, focusing on individualized education plans (IEPs), behavior support, communication strategies, and adaptive skills.

Other California special education credentials include Early Childhood Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Standards Visual Impairments.

At UMass Global, earning a Special Education (SPED) teaching credential typically means taking either two classes per session (full-time) or one class per session (part-time). With six sessions a year, full-time students can complete the credential in as few as 12 months, while part-time students can finish in about 24 months, depending on their enrollment pace.

In addition, students who choose the UMass Global Internship Pathway can begin intern teaching as the teacher of record in a classroom after completing just four courses.

Obtaining a Preliminary Special Education Credential, Mild to Moderate Support Needs offers numerous benefits for educators and their students:

  1. Career Advancement Opportunities - Gaining your Preliminary Special Education Credential opens doors to a rewarding career in education, specifically tailored to supporting students with mild to moderate support needs.
  2. Making a Difference - By working with students who have mild to moderate support needs, you will have the chance to create a significant impact on their educational journey. Your specialized skills and knowledge will help these students achieve their full potential.
  3. Enhanced Teaching Skills - With this credential, you'll develop advanced teaching skills that are specifically aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by students with mild to moderate support needs. This expertise not only benefits your students but also enriches your overall teaching practice.
  4. Job Security and Demand - There is a growing demand for qualified special education teachers who can provide tailored support to students with varying needs. Obtaining this credential ensures that you are well-prepared to meet this demand, providing you with job security and a multitude of career opportunities in the field of special education.
  5. Personal Fulfillment - Working in special education is not just a job — it's a calling. The personal fulfillment and sense of accomplishment that come from making a positive difference in the lives of students and their families are immeasurable. This credential helps you embark on a career path that is both professionally and personally rewarding.

Testimonials

Leonard testimonial image for Brandman

Compared to a brick and mortar, the professors are more open and I was able to learn better from them. The online community is what kept me going. I think this is the first time in my life that I can say I am proud of myself.

Leonard W.
Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, MA
Amy J.

I took the Autism classes [through Extended Education] and found the passion of special education, which I really never thought of as an option. I finished the Autism program and enrolled in the Master of Special Education. I have learned to reflect on my teaching and determine if I am reaching all students and on how to better reach any struggling students.

Amy J.
Special Education, MA
North Orange County ROP, Career Technical Education Teacher in the Education Pathway

I have gained a deeper awareness of the many factors that influence brain based education, and how to intentionally develop brain based lessons.

Lori P.
Brain-Based Teaching Strategies Course
Elementary School Teacher

An Online Education Built For You

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