Special Education

Department of Education and Leadership

Summer 2024 applications Open October 1, 2023. Rolling admissions through March 1, 2024! See deadlines posted in Cal State Apply.

The CSUMB Special Education Program prepares professionals to develop and maximize the potential of individuals with learning challenges and their families. The program emphasizes preferred curriculum and instructional practices, basic and applied research, collaboration with general education partners, and direct service in local schools. To fulfill the mission, we offer the following:

Preliminary Mild/Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential
Preliminary Extensive Support Needs Education Specialist Credential
English Learner Authorization

The program's faculty provide leadership through partnerships with local educational and community agencies, active participation in national and international professional organizations, and through sustained collaboration with university professionals and colleagues.

The Preliminary Education Specialist Credential program

This preliminary credential program prepares individuals to perform responsibilities of entry-level special education teachers in grades K-12, including adults (up to age 22). Once issued, the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential is valid for 5 years.
Education Specialist in Extensive Support Needs Disabilities authorizes teachers to instruct individuals in K-12, and adults (up to age 22) receiving educational services, with autism, intellectual disability, deaf-blindness, serious emotional disturbance, and multiple disabilities.
Education Specialist in Mild to Moderate Support Needs Disabilities authorizes teachers to instruct individuals in K-12, and adults (up to age 22) receiving educational services, with specific learning disabilities, intellectual disability, other health impaired, and/or serious emotional disturbance.

NOTE: For candidates seeking authorization to teach students ages 3 to 5 (pre-kindergarten), additional certification in early childhood special education is required. CSUMB does not currently offer this certification, however interested candidates may contact Dr. Peg Hughes at San Jose State University to inquire about their early childhood special education certificate program.

Once you decide whether to follow mild-moderate support needs or extensive support needs program, there are two pathways through the Ed Specialist Credential Program to pick from:

**We currently do not offer a Masters + Ed Specialist Credential program.