Department of Special Education and Counseling

Welcome to the Department of Special Education and Counseling!

“The Cal State LA/UCLA Joint Doctoral Program in Special Education is academically rigorous, collaborative, and supportive. And to have the opportunity to share my passion through practice and research makes the experience even more invaluable. Faculty members are experts in their respective fields and are deeply committed to student success; they put heart into their work, and it shows.” – Jennyane Truong, Joint Doctoral Program in Special Education

“At Cal State LA, the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program is supported by professionals who know the world of ECSE. The professors share insightful, impactful, and meaningful information and experiences that mold strong teachers.” – Janai Castillo

“I am deeply appreciative of the joint doctoral program, particularly for the strong support and mentorship provided by professors who are experts in the field of special education. Their guidance has been invaluable in shaping my academic and professional growth. Additionally, the program has offered me unique opportunities to present at conferences, which have significantly enhanced my experience and visibility in the field. Furthermore, the network of past and present joint doctoral students has been an

"The VI Program gave me a solid foundation for the skills required to become a VI Teacher. It gave me a solid network of mentors and friendships to pull from in addition to an endless supply of resources. The program showed me just how capable our students are with the right teacher in their lives."

"It really gave me an opportunity to become a professional, to become a leader in my field and to really help students and families that are at risk, that need help and to change outcomes ultimately." - Diana Huizar MS in Counseling, Option in School Psychology

“The Cal State LA ECSE program fosters a strong sense of community, allowing me to build lasting friendships with peers who share my passion for special education.” – Janette Corral

"The Special Education Teaching Credential Program at Cal State Los Angeles has provided me with an exceptional education guided by professors deeply devoted to the field. Their commitment to professionalism, expertise, and support has prepared me to become a transformative educator who advocates for students and their families. I am proud to be part of a program that feels like a true family and is dedicated to making a meaningful impact." – David Ortiz, Dual Credential Program and MA in Special Education

“I ask questions because I genuinely wanted to learn and because of me doing that I feel like I had a deeper understanding of certain concepts and it definitely helped me in the program and now it's definitely helping me in occupation.” Alonzo Nevarez - MS in Counseling, Option in School Psychology

“I loved how professors used real life experiences to teach. You won’t regret attending this program.” – Teresa Monge

Guiding Minds, Building Brighter Futures

The Department of Special Education and Counseling at California State University, Los Angeles offers programs of study leading to a variety of undergraduate/graduate degrees, credentials, and certificates/added authorizations.

Preparation is offered for teachers, counselors, school psychologists, and specialists in special education, counseling, rehabilitation, and related services. A doctoral program in Special Education is offered jointly with UCLA for those seeking preparation to teach at the university level and to serve in other leadership roles. In addition to on-campus preparation programs, several special education, school counseling, and school psychology internship programs are available through cooperative programs jointly implemented by many school districts and the department.

Explore our Special Education Programs

A career in special education varies widely, depending on the role and setting. Special education professionals work with students who have a wide range of disabilities or learning challenges, such as intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, ADHD, or emotional and behavioral disorders.

View Programs

Explore our Counseling Programs

A career in counseling is deeply fulfilling and diverse, as it involves helping individuals navigate personal challenges, improve their educational, occupational, and mental health outcomes, and achieve their goals.

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Spotlight

Many of our Special Education Programs have grant-funded projects which offer tuition assistance for Education Specialist teacher candidates!

Child sitting next to teacher holding up a flashlight

Project CREST: Culturally Responsive Educators of Multilingual Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs
Project LMAESTRO: Leaders in Multilingualism, Autism, and Early Childhood Supports, Training, and Research Opportunities
Project BIENVENIDOS: Bilingual Education Preparation and Network in Visual Impairment and Early Childhood Special Education to Increase and Develop Optimal Supports in Language and Literacy
Project CIELO: Culturally Informed Early Learning Opportunities for Early Childhood Special Education and Speech and Language Pathology
Project PEDOMS/PEOMS: Preparing Effective and Diverse Orientation and Mobility Specialists
LAUTR: Los Angeles Urban Training Residency Program with an option of Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and Education Specialist Credential in Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Visual Impairments, and Extensive Support Needs

Upcoming Events

May

08

College of Education Day of the Educator Celebration

Time: 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Golden Eagle Ballroom, U-SU

Start Your Journey Now

Are you ready to take the next step toward a rewarding career in Special Education or Counseling? Don’t wait—start your application today and be part of a program that transforms lives!

Apply Now!

Special Education Programs

Teaching and Service Credentials

Teacher reading book to group of students

Teaching Credentials (Preliminary)

Do you want to pursue a career as a special education teacher?

Available Options

Learn More

Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential

Do you want to pursue a career as an orientation and mobility specialist?

Clinical Rehabilitative Services

Orientation and Mobility

Degree Programs

Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree in Special Education

The MA in Special Education program provides administrators, teachers, and school support personnel with advanced preparation for work with exceptional learners.

Available Options

Joint Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Special Education

Cal State LA and UCLA offer a unique Joint Doctoral Program in Special Education program that prepares graduates to be leaders in the field as university faculty engaging in teacher education and research, or as researchers or administrators in federal, state, or local education agencies or research organizations.
The program combines the resources and expertise of Cal State LA and UCLA faculty and provides in-depth coursework in special education, human development, educational research, and other areas relevant to a student’s career goals.

Ph.D. in Special Education

Certificates

Group of students sitting on the grass in front of King Hall

Certificates

Available Options

Counseling Programs

Degree Programs

Student and service dog at commencement ceremony

Bachelor of Sciences (B.S.) Degree in Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation Services is a diverse field within the general area of human services which provides services for people who have physical, emotional, and intellectual disabilities, and for individuals with economic and social disadvantages.

Example of populations we serve: physical disabilities, mental disorders, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, substance use disorders, veterans, domestic violence, homelessness, formerly incarcerated individuals.

Rehabilitation Services, B.S.

Group of students talking and sitting together

Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis

The ABA program trains graduate students in the principles, concepts, and application of behavior analysis from within a counseling framework. The ABA program is committed to preparing students to meet national certification standards to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.

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Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Counseling

The MS in Counseling degree offers two options: School-Based Family Counseling (SBFC) and Rehabilitation Counseling (RC). The SBFC program prepares family-systems oriented counselors who are eligible for the Pupil Personnel Services credential with advanced specialization in School Counseling, advanced specialization in Child Welfare and Attendance Services, and are eligible to apply for licensure in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
The RC program prepares candidates to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and maximize their rehabilitation potential, and to function effectively as professional rehabilitation counselors in a variety of employment settings.

Available Options

Education Specialist (Ed.S) Degree in School Psychology

The School Psychology program prepares candidates to become school psychologists who focus on the psychoeducational development of individuals from birth through age 21, their abilities and potentialities, and the biological, emotional, behavioral, and cultural factors that influence the learning process. Candidates qualify for the Pupil Personnel Services credential with advanced specialization in School Psychology and advanced specialization in Child Welfare and Attendance Services.

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Pupil Personnel Service Credentials

Service Credentials

Do you want to pursue a career as a school counselor or school psychologist?

Pupil Personnel Services (PPS)

Embedded in the M.S. in Counseling option: School Counseling
Embedded in the M.S. in Counseling option: School Psychology

Added Authorization in Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA)

Embedded in the M.S. in Counseling option: School-Based Family Counseling Embedded in the M.S. in Counseling option: School Psychology
Embedded in the M.S. in Counseling option: School-Based Family Counseling School Psychology

Certificates

Available Options

Induction and Authorizations

Teacher Induction Program (EDCI)

Do you hold a valid California preliminary credential and are actively teaching in a classroom that matches your preliminary credential which you intend to clear?

Teacher Induction Program

Added Authorization (EDCI)

Do you hold a valid California teaching credential or are currently working towards one, fluent in Spanish or Mandarin, and interested in obtaining a bilingual added authorization in Spanish or Mandarin?

Available Options