Education Specialist (Special Education)
Golden State Teacher Grant
Once admitted and enrolled in our Education Specialist (Special Education) Credential program, consider applying for the Golden State Teacher Grant. Awards of up to $20,000 are available. Learn more and apply today.
Our Education Specialist Mild-to-Moderate Credential program is a 32-unit curriculum that provides candidates with learning opportunities in a wide range of settings and service options for students with disabilities. This credential will prepare you with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful and rewarding career teaching and providing services to students in grades K–12 in California with:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Specific learning disabilities
- Emotional disturbances
- Mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities
- Other health impairments (including ADD and ADHD)
Program Details
Program Duration
12–18 months (full-time), part-time available
Learning Environment
In-person*, 2–3 times a week, Monday–Thursday, late afternoon/evening classes.
Average Class Size
12–20 learners per cohort. Cohort members in the program form a learning community. Your success starts with connections.
Why Special Education?
Why an Education Specialist Teaching Credential?
Our Mild-to-Moderate Education Specialist preliminary credential will prepare you with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful and rewarding career teaching students in California grades K–12 with:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Specific learning disabilities
- Emotional disturbances
- Mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities
- Other health impairments (including ADD and ADHD)
Why a Credential from Saint Mary's College?
Our teaching credential programs are the most well-respected in the educational community, and our students emerge as highly-qualified educators with the ability to teach in public/private schools throughout California from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Our programs combine current research and theory with real-life classroom experience to round out your education. Coupled with Saint Mary’s Lasallian pedagogy and a commitment to social justice, students are prepared to be reflective teachers and leaders in their school and community.
Why get a Master of Arts in Teaching or a Master of Education in Special Education?
Getting your Mild-to-Moderate Education Specialist preliminary credential is a great first step toward a rewarding teaching career. Building upon your success in this program, you can go on to earn a Master’s of Education (MEd) in Special Education or a Master of Arts in Teaching. Both degrees require taking 12 additional units and completing a thesis or capstone project.
The automatic bump in salary that you’ll receive with this advanced degree is worth the small additional investment of your time.
Undergraduate Education Specialist Credential Program
The Justice, Community and Leadership (JCL) undergraduate major has a Teachers for Tomorrow (TFT) concentration. In four years, students earn their BA in Justice, Community and Leadership and a Mild-to-Moderate Education Specialist preliminary credential to work in California K–12 classrooms teaching and providing services to students with special needs.
Program Highlights
- Internship option – earn a full first year teacher’s salary while in the program.
- 12 or 18 months full-time program; part-time option available
- Admission twice a year, Summer and January term
- Balance of theory and practice
- Courses held in the late afternoon and evening to accommodate student teaching and working education professionals
- You learn with a cohort of fellow students throughout the entire program
- Candidates work in collaborate teams interacting with a variety of professionals and families
- Traditional student teacher placements in two grades: primary and secondary
- Personal attention from accessible professors
- Commitment to inclusive education
- Faculty members are highly qualified professors and educational leaders
