Special Education - Information, Eligibility & Application

To become an educational specialist in California you need a California Education Specialist Credential.

This one year program will give you a preliminary Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential that will prepare you to apply for your credential license. You will be prepared to teach special education for kindergarten through adult grades and authorize you to teach individuals with learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, health impairments, and serious emotional disturbances.

The course of study begins in the fall semester of each year. The courses are arranged in a sequential manner, beginning at an introductory level and progressing systematically to develop effective teaching skills in special education. You will gain skills to understand basic characteristics of disabilities, behavior management, diversity, how schools function, and how students learn. In addition, you will learn assessment skills, which include criteria for identifying various disabilities and educational levels.

For those looking to add an Educational Specialist Credential to an existing credential, The School of Education offers a 1 semester program that includes fieldwork, and specialty courses in Assessment, Policy, Transition Planning, and Behavior.  Contact the coordinator for more specifics.

Catalog and Course Descriptions

The Extensive Support Needs Credential is offered through the College of Extended Education & Global Engagement. This credential may be added to an existing Preliminary Educational Specialist Credential. The Extensive Support Needs program is offered in the summer.

Please contact the School of Education for more information! 

1. Bachelor’s Degree
2. GPA 2.67 overall or 2.75 for the last 60 semester units.
   A low-GPA appeals process is available.

1. Review CSU Credential Application Deadlines
2. Apply to Humboldt with Cal State Apply (CSU)

The following must be submitted before starting the program.

Start early on completing the Certificate of Clearance, fulfilling the basic skills and subject matter competency requirements, as these take the greatest time commitment and are the most likely to be delayed.

1. Letters of Recommendation: Submit a minimum of two.
   -- One letter from an academic reference 
   -- One letter from a professional reference 
   -- Optional: Additional letter from either an academic or professional reference
2. Apply for Certificate of Clearance
   This process can take up to 6 weeks so apply early!
3. Subject Matter Competency (typically met through CSET)
   There are multiple ways to meet this requirement.
4. CPR Certification
5. 45 hours of Early Fieldwork
   Observe a California Credentialed teacher for a minimum of 45 hours; candidates must submit this evidence individually to their appropriate credential program.
   -- Suggested to be grade level specific
   -- Must be in a contained classroom (not an after school program or summer camp)
   -- Observation has to be of a California credentialed teacher
   -- Courses fulfilling this requirement offered at Humboldt: LSEE 101 and SED 210/410
6. US Constitution Courses: You should have taken your US Constitution courses as a part of your undergraduate degree, but if you didn’t, you can take a test to demonstrate you meet this requirement. Contact the program leader or coordinator for more information.
7. Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) exam
   Effective January 1, 2000, California Education Code 44283 requires that candidates applying for initial Preliminary Education Specialist Credential pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
   This is an exit requirement.

View all these requirements and more in our application requirements PDF.

SPED Application Requirements (Word Doc)
 

After meeting basic credential requirements, you’ll be recommended for a preliminary credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), which is valid for five years. Within the first three years of being hired as an educator, you will be required to participate in an induction program to clear your credential.