Preliminary Special Education Teaching, Credential

The credential program will prepare you to obtain the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential (Mild to Moderate Support Needs or Extensive Support Needs) through preferred curriculum and instructional practices, basic and applied research, collaboration with general education partners, and hands-on skill development in local schools.

Educational Objectives

Our strong focus on enhancing equitable outcomes for all students will prepare you to create learning environments that foster the success of special needs students in the classroom and in all other aspects of their lives.

Our emphasis on evidence-based literacy instructional practices will empower you as a teacher to help students improve their academic performance, enhance their social-emotional development, and increase student engagement.

Our implementation of classroom behavior support strategies will equip you with the skills necessary to utilize positive behaviors in response to challenging situations as a way to improve classroom communication.

Our faculty mentorship and hands-on learning will provide you with all the individualized support and guidance you need, as well as on-site clinical coaching throughout your field teaching placements at elementary schools in Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey.

For more information, please visit the Program Catalog

Through your extensive field experiences you’ll find opportunities to give back by participating in school leadership team activities, managing and refining the credit recovery program in the district, organizing community outings for moderate/severe special education students in collaboration with their parents, and participating in book clubs on culturally responsive teaching.