Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credentials

Conditional Admission

Students entering the teaching credential programs are initially admitted conditionally. To maintain admission, complete required courses and the application process by the end of your second semester.

• Application to the California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) Cal State Apply.
• A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
• 2.5 overall GPA for undergraduates* and postbaccalaureate applicants, or a 2.75 grade point average (GPA) or better in the last 60 semesters or 90 quarter units for postbaccalaureate applicants.
• Official transcripts from every junior college, college, or university attended, except Cal State LA. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a commission-approved evaluation agency. The university conducts its international transcript evaluations.
• Philosophy of Education Statement
• Proof of Valid Certificate of Clearance or equivalent
• Photocopy of negative TB Test dated within four years
• Two original letters of recommendation

*Note: Undergraduate students are those students whose degrees have not been conferred by the time they commence EDSP 4001.

Admission without Condition

• Completion of EDSP 4001 or equivalent, (with verification of completion of 45 hours of early field experience, signed and approved by the instructor) or holding a valid California Teaching/Services credential.
• Completion of successful oral interview and program planning sheet for each credential objective.
• Interview with and recommendation for admission to the teaching credential by the admission committee (if applicable).

NOTE: Students in the Early Childhood Special Education program must have an undergraduate degree in Child Development or equivalent OR at least 9-semester units of Child Development coursework and experience with children under the age of five (as determined by the faculty advisor).

Each candidate receives an official program plan upon formal admission. Roadmaps for each program with a recommended sequence of courses are below. A grade of C or better is required in all credential courses, and an overall GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. Candidates may not enroll in fieldwork without a GPA of 3.0 or better. Courses may not be repeated more than twice. Candidates are encouraged to meet regularly with their faculty advisor or an academic advisor in the Office of Student Services. Each program’s roadmap of required courses is below. These roadmaps indicate a two-year plan to complete the credential. If you choose to attend part-time due to work or family obligations, meet with an academic advisor to create a roadmap that is a better match for your schedule. 

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing mandates that candidates have structured experiences and/or interactions with the full range of the service delivery system, the providers of such services, and parents and families, including experiences in general education.  The experiences must reflect the full diversity of grades/ages, federal disability categories, and the continuum of special education services outlined in the specific credential authorization.  

Each of the Education Specialist programs offers a series of sequential and developmental fieldwork experiences designed to introduce candidates to the teaching expectations, provide practice opportunities, and by the end of the program, require candidates to independently take charge of classroom instruction.

The first fieldwork requirement is located in EDSP 4001 Observations in Urban Classrooms. Candidates conduct 45 hours of classroom observations and engage in reflective practice over what they have observed, using the readings in the course to extend their understanding of how classrooms are organized and how students learn. 

Each option has a series of Clinical Signature Assignments (CSA) embedded in courses that offer extensive practice to master specific skills while working with individual students.

All candidates take an early practicum course where they plan and deliver lessons to local PK-12 students under the close direction of a university supervisor. These early practicum experiences prepare candidates for advanced coursework and their Final Directed Teaching or

Demonstration of Competencies which is the culminating experience for each option.

See the Special Education Fieldwork Handbook on the Department’s Canvas site: Special Education Programs and Information for detailed information about fieldwork requirements and policies. The handbook for the Rehabilitative Services Credential in Orientation & Mobility is also available on the Canvas site.

NOTE: Candidates in the Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Credential and M.A. degree program are not required to take EDSP 4001 or conduct 45 hours of classroom observations.  O&M candidates will participate in the following Fieldwork experiences:

• EDSP 4706 – Observation in Orientation and Mobility (1)
• EDSP 4066 – Student Teaching with a Master Teacher: Orientation & Mobility (4)
• EDSP 5036 - EDSP 5036 - Fieldwork in Special Education: Orientation & Mobility Internship (3)  (repeat 3 units)

Candidates must submit a complete Fieldwork Application during the semester before their intended fieldwork. The links to the field applications can be found on the Canvas Special Education Programs Information and Resources page. Please note that a permit will not be issued if the application is incomplete or if all required documents are not uploaded by the specified due date. Late applications will not be accepted.

To access links and find more information, please visit the Special Education Programs and Canvas Resources page. If you haven't already, you can join the Canvas Resource Page through the following link: Canvas Resource Page Enrollment Link.

Fieldwork Application Deadlines:

• For Fall early fieldwork applications, the deadline is April 1st
• For Fall early fieldwork applications, the deadline is October 31st
• For Fall final fieldwork, please check with Lauren Haramoto for the deadlines and links.
• *Only for ECSE Interns: Summer fieldwork applications are due by April 1, 2024, at 5 PM.

Additional Information about Fieldwork:

 For the final fieldwork experience, candidates are assigned a university supervisor and a placement with a mentor teacher a week before the semester begins. Candidates are required to attend final fieldwork seminars with their university supervisor. Seminar dates and times are posted on Canvas. Once you are provided with your Mentor Teacher’s contact information, plan an initial visit to meet the teacher and become familiar with the school site. 

As a holder of a credential, certificate, or permit which authorizes you to work with, observe, or have knowledge of children as part of your official duties, you are required to report every instance of child abuse that becomes known to you or which you reasonably suspect to have occurred to a child with whom you have professional contact. You must report your observations to a Child Protective Agency immediately, or as soon as practicably possible, by telephone and send a written report to the Child Protective Agency within 36 hours after you become aware of the incident.

NOTE: Candidates in the Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Credential and M.A. degree program need not apply for early and final fieldwork experiences. O&M Fieldwork experiences will be arranged by the O&M Program Coordinator.

How to Prepare Before You Apply:

Before initiating the permit application, gather the necessary documents and have them ready for upload as PDFs. If you don't have access to a scanner, you can use the Open Access Lab in King Hall D151 (basement) free of charge to prepare your documents for upload to the application. You will be asked to upload a copy to verify the following in your online fieldwork application.

• Early Fieldwork (C. Lamar Learning Center Fieldwork) takes place on Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
• To apply for Early Fieldwork, complete the application through this link: Early Fieldwork Application Link (Pending)

Fieldwork is an integral component of teacher education at Cal State LA, encompassing both early fieldwork and final directed teaching. To participate in either stage, candidates must meet the following requirements:

•  Obtain formal admission to the Education Specialist Credential program.
• Apply Final Fieldwork by the specified deadline (the semester before the intended placement).
• Provide valid verification of a Certificate of Clearance, which must remain current (not expired) for the entire fieldwork duration.
• Note that Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) candidates do not require a subject matter examination, as competency is demonstrated through the completion of a Child Development undergraduate major or an equivalent qualification.
•  Maintain a minimum B (3.0) grade point average and achieve grades of C or higher in all professional education courses.
•  Supply verification of a negative TB test administered by a personal physician, Cal State LA Health Center, or another local health center. This TB test must remain valid (not expired) throughout the directed teaching period.

Final Directed Teaching represents the culminating fieldwork experience within the Special Education Credential Program, occurring during the last semester(s) of the program.      

Prerequisites:

• Successful completion of all courses required for the preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential.

Minimum Requirements: To embark on Final Fieldwork, you must have:

• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• Completed all credential program courses (except one, which may be taken concurrently)
• Attend a Special Education Directed Teaching Orientation meeting in the semester preceding final directed teaching.

Optimizing Your Experience:

Due to the significant time and effort required for final directed teaching, and to ensure a successful semester, students are strongly advised to limit the number of additional units in their schedules (not exceeding 3 additional units) and reduce their out-of-school workload for the duration of their final directed teaching.

Application Process:

•  For Traditional Student Teaching, please complete the application at the following link: [Application link pending]
•  Please check with Lauren Haramoto at OSS for the link and deadline.
• University Intern Credentials are an alternative pathway to earning a California teaching credential. To complete fieldwork as an Intern in your classroom, intern status must be verified with Jennifer Revilla, the Intern Coordinator. To apply for Final Fieldwork for Intern Student Teaching, please complete the application at the following link: [Application link pending]
• Please check with Lauren Haramoto at OSS for the link and deadline.

After each fieldwork application deadline has passed, the Department Office or the Office of Student Services will commence reviewing applications to ensure all requirements and prerequisites are met. This evaluation acts as a reminder to students of the credential requirements met and those they still have yet to meet. If students meet all requirements, they will be issued a permit for the fieldwork course. This process typically takes about 3-4 weeks before the start of the semester. Program coordinators will also notify students of their assigned supervisor by email before the semester starts.

To apply for Fieldwork for a Certificate in Autism or Transition, please complete the application at the following link:

Fieldwork for a Certificate in Autism or Transition Application Link (Pending)

Fieldwork for Certificate in Autism or Transition Courses