Early Childhood Special Education Specialist Preliminary Credential
The Education Specialist Credential in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is designed to prepare professional educators to provide quality early intervention and early childhood special education to young children, who are at risk or have disabilities and their families. The credential emphasizes the importance of involving parents as partners in intervention and prepares candidates to be respectful of the dynamics and values of families. ECSE views children as active participants in their learning, and trains candidates to use evidence-based and developmentally appropriate practices to foster children’s growth and development in home-based and inclusive settings. In addition, ECSE prepares candidates to collaborate with professionals in other disciplines to meet the individual needs of children and families. Coursework and fieldwork are closely integrated to facilitate the application of theory to practice.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to engaging and supporting young children in learning.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to creating and maintaining effective environments for young children's learning.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to understanding and organizing subject matter for young children's learning.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to planning instruction and intervention and designing learning experiences for all young children.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to assessing young children's learning and development.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to developing as a professional educator.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to effective literacy instruction for all students.
Early Childhood Special Education Education Specialist Preliminary Credential – 48 units minimum
Core (12 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 788 | Law, Ethics, and Instructional Planning | 3 |
| Select One: | 3 | |
| Nature of the Autism Spectrum | ||
| Communication, Behavior and Instructional Supports: Autism | ||
| SPED 801 | Development, Diversity, and English Language Learners: Special Education | 3 |
| Health Education Requirement 1 | 3 | |
Method Courses (21 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 671 | Inclusive Social-Emotional Development & Equitable Practices for Children & Families in Early Educ | 3 |
| SPED 737 | Inclusive Learning and Supports in Early Intervention (Infants & Toddlers) | 3 |
| SPED 738 | Inclusive Curriculum Development and Supports in Early Childhood Settings (Preschool - Kindergarten) | 3 |
| SPED 777 | Introduction to Disability, Development, and Equity for Young Children and Their Families | 3 |
| SPED 779 | Family-Centered Practices and Services for Young Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 780 | Equitable Assessment Practices for Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families | 3 |
| SPED 885 | Allyship, Leadership, and Collaboration for Young Children with Disabilities | 3 |
Clinical Fieldwork & Student Teaching (15-19 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 601 | Observation and Participation in Special Education | 1-3 |
| SPED 702 | Education Specialist Teacher Support Seminar for California Teaching Performance Assessment | 1-3 |
| SPED 729 | Student Teaching Workshop: Early Childhood Special Education | 1 |
| SPED 730 | Student Teaching: Special Education | 9 |
| SPED 731 | Special Education Field Experience | 3 |
Intern Teaching Option (0-3 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 701 | Education Specialist Intern Teacher Support Seminar 2 | 0-3 |
- 1
A free Health Education Module is offered through the Department of Special Education to fulfill this requirement.
- 2
Required only for intern teachers.