Program Policies

1.1 Candidates must complete pre-requisite courses with no grade lower than a C to be admitted to the program.

       1.1.1 Candidates may be considered for Provisional Admission to the program if they have complete a minimum of three pre-requisite courses, one of which must be EDSP 454. 

1.2 Candidates must meet the Basic Skills Requirement. (Post-Bac Admissions)

        1.2.1 Candidates using the CBEST to meet the Basic Skills Requirement may be considered for Provisional Admission to the program if they have attempted all parts of the CBEST exam but have not passed one or more parts. 

1.3 Candidates must submit a completed application to be admitted to the Special Education Credential Program.

1.4 Candidates must have a valid Certificate of Clearance or valid 30-Day Substitute Permit to be admitted to the program. These must remain valid through the completion of the program.

1.5 Candidates must submit two recommendation forms from individuals who are well acquainted with your educational training, teaching or other experience, and related activities. One recommendation should come from an academic reference and one recommendation form can come from a K-12 educator, employer or other adult who is not a relative. If you work in an educational setting, one should be from your current supervisor. 

1.6 Candidates must submit copies of transcripts from every college and university they have attended including CSULB. Transcripts do not need to be official. Transcripts must include the candidate’s full name and the name of the college or university. Courses from other institutions that appear on the MyCSULB transcript will not be accepted in place of transcripts from that college or university.

1.7 Candidates must submit a valid negative TB test. Skin tests are valid for 4 years and chest x-rays are valid for 8 years. TB tests must remain valid through the completion of the program.

1.8 Applicants must complete a 45-hour field experience in K-12 general education settings within the last 7 years and submit the verification form as evidence of having met this field experience in order to be eligible for admission to the Preliminary Special Education Credential Program. While this completed form may serve as sufficient evidence we suggest that you include accompanying evidence of having completed this 45-hour general education experience, such as a log of your hours spent as a para-educator in a general education classroom, a student teaching evaluation for your Multiple or Single Subject credential, etc. If using substitute teaching hours they must by broken down by date and setting to verify general education. By signing this form, you agree for us to contact the supervisor listed on this form for additional information. 

1.9 Subject Matter Competency

1.9.1 All candidates (except ITEP) must satisfy subject matter competency via completion of an approved subject matter preparation program or through passage of the CSET Multiple Subject exam or CSET Single Subject exam in English, Math, Science or Social Science.

1.9.2 Candidates may be considered for Provisional Admission to the program if they have not completed subject matter competency but have attempted all parts of the CSET exam or have completed 4/5 of the subject matter program. 

1.9.3 Candidates must satisfy subject matter competency prior to enrolling in the program method course (EDSP 577 or EDSP 578) and/or applying for student teaching.

1.9.4 Secondary Subject Matter Competency – Candidates wishing to teach secondary special education may wish to complete the secondary subject matter competency via coursework or the CSET exam in one of the core content areas (English, Math, Science or Social Science).

1.10 Provisional Admission -The Special Education Credential Program Faculty at CSULB will consider applications for candidates, who have attempted all parts but not yet passed one or more parts of the CSET exam, CBEST exam and/or have not completed all pre-requisite courses (must complete a minimum of three, one of which must be EDSP 454), for Provisional Admission to the program. First priority for admission will be given to candidates who have completed the Basic Skills Requirements, passed all parts of the CSET exam and have official scores submitted with their application and have completed all pre-requisites. To receive full admission to the program, all subtests of the CSET exam must be PASSED, the Basic Skills Requirements must be complete and all pre-requisite courses completed. Candidates must continue to show progress toward clearing provisions each semester to advance into further coursework. All candidates must have full admission to the program to enroll in the methods courses (EDSP 577/578) and/or to apply to Final Fieldwork (student teaching). All other program application requirements must be met for admission to the program.

1.11 Interview – All program candidates must participate in a group interview with program faculty prior to being admitted to the program. It is recommended that applicants interview while enrolled in EDSP 454. Interview data is held for 2 years.

1.12 Program Application Deadline – Applications to the program are accepted on a rolling basis. Approved applications submitted by the priority deadline (April 1^st, June 1^st, November 1^st) will be guaranteed admission by the following semester in which they submit their application. Applicants that submit a program application after the priority deadline cannot be guaranteed a full load of courses to enroll in for the next semester.

1.13 Applicants must have a completed program application submitted to the Teacher Preparation Advising Center in EED-67 two weeks prior to the first day of class for the Fall or Spring to enroll in program core courses for the semester.

1.14 Once a candidate submits a completed program application and participates in an interview with the program faculty their program application will be reviewed by the Special Education Credential Program Coordinator and Admission Director. If they are recommended for admission, the candidate will be admitted conditionally and will be required to attend a mandatory advisement workshop with program faculty. At the Mandatory Advisement Workshop the candidate will create their Advisement Plan and be permitted into EDSP and ED P courses. Upon admission to the program all candidates are required to have a signed Advisement Plan on file. Advisement Plans must be kept updated by the candidate. If changes in the projected course work occur the candidate is responsible for contacting the Teacher Preparation Advising Center to update their plan.

2.1 Candidates must be admitted to the Special Education Credential Program prior to enrolling program core courses. Candidates must submit a complete program application minimally two week prior to the first day of classes for the semester in which they are enrolled in the core course to remain in the courses. Candidates that have not received an admit letter by the first day of classes will have to drop all core courses in which they are enrolled.

2.2 All program courses (pre-requisite and core courses) should be completed to advance to final fieldwork. Candidates will only be permitted to take one course concurrently with Final Fieldwork. Only EDSP 577/578 and ED P 560 will be considered. 

2.3 All coursework for the credential program, including Final Fieldwork, must be completed within 7 years of the date the credential program was initiated i.e. the semester when the first course appearing on the candidate’s program was completed.

2.4 To be in good standing in the Education Specialist Credential Program candidates must complete all courses with a C or better and maintain a 3.0 GPA in all program courses as well as a 3.0 GPA in program core courses. Candidates that are unable to maintain a 3.0 GPA in program courses are not in good standing with the program and may retake one course one time to re-establish good standing. Candidates will need to meet with the program coordinator to review your advisement plan and create a intervention and support plan for continuing in the program. 

3.1 All ESCP courses (pre-requisites and core courses) must be taken for a letter grade (A-F grading). CR/NC is only allowed for Final Fieldwork (and ETEC 411).

3.2 A candidate who receives a D, F or WU in any program core course will be placed on Administrative Academic Warning and have one academic year to retake the course and achieve an appropriate grade. Candidates placed on Academic Warning will be required to meet with the Program Coordinator to make an Intervention and Support Plan prior to continuing in the program.

3.3 Candidates must maintain a B average (3.0 GPA) in all program courses with no grade lower than a C. A candidate receiving a grade of D or F may repeat the course, but only one course can be repeated one time.

3.4 Candidates must maintain a B average (3.0) in all core courses with no grade lower than a C to advance to student teaching. A candidate may repeat one course of a C or lower to achieve a 3.0 average, but only one course can be repeated one time.

4.1 Program applicants must submit photocopies or originals of transcripts (must have University logo or insignia) from each institution of higher education, including undergraduate and graduate study, as part of the program application. One set of transcripts from each institution is sufficient for the program application. A printout from MyCSULB is only acceptable for CSULB coursework.

4.2 The current grade point average standard for admission to the program is 2.67 overall or 2.75 in the last 60 semester units/ 90 quarter units.

4.3 The grade point average standard for admission to the university as a graduate student is 2.50 cumulative GPA in the last degree earned.

4.4 Applicants to the university with a grade point average below the 2.50 standard may petition the university for exceptional admission. Guidelines are available at Enrollment Services.

4.5 Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree and need to take courses to raise their GPA must take courses that are 300 level and higher. Community College or 200 level or lower courses taken after earning a bachelor degree do not contribute toward the GPA.

4.6 Candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all program courses (pre-requisite, and core courses) to remain in good standing and continue in the program. Candidate that fall below the 3.0 GPA requirement may repeat one core course one time achieve good standing.

5.1 Course equivalency requests for pre-requisite courses from other institutions should be submitted and approved prior to submission of a program application.

5.2 No more than 9 units of Course Equivalencies will be accepted for pre-requisite and core courses combined.

5.3 Requests to Waive the & Year Limit on Credential Coursework that are for courses that are over 7 years old must have an anticipated Final Fieldwork (student teaching) semester indicated and include a statement of what has been done in the content area of the class to keep current on the course topics since the course was taken.

5.4 Level I Technology course equivalencies may be granted for any of the Single Subject Level I Technology courses (ART 305, ENGL 337, MTED 301, KIN 354, ETEC 444, or ETEC 411).

5.5 Courses with pre-approved course equivalencies must have been taken within the last 7 years.

5.6 Course Equivalency Requests will not be accepted for EDSP 587A/587B and EDSP 588A/588B.

5.7 Candidates that hold an existing credential may have equivalencies granted beyond 9 units. See Multiple and Single Subject Credential Holders for more information.

No fewer than 24 semester units shall be completed in residency (as a matriculated student) at the university. Open University courses do not count toward the residency requirement.

Candidates may petition to have a maximum of 12 units of credential courses taken as an undergraduate transferred to post-bac units. Candidates must fill out and submit a “Petition to Earn Post Bac Credit in the Senior Year.” This must be done prior to graduating with the undergraduate degree. These units may not be counted toward the undergraduate degree or be any part of the required 120 units for graduation.

8.1 To advance to Final Fieldwork (student teaching), all candidates must submit a complete Final Fieldwork application by the appropriate deadline the semester prior to starting their Final Fieldwork.

8.2 Final Fieldwork applications are due April 1^st for fall Final Fieldwork or November 1^st for spring Final Fieldwork. Final Fieldwork applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Applications will be posted on the website the first day of each Fall and Spring semester.

8.3 Requirements to Advance to Final Fieldwork are indicated on our Special Education Website and include, but are not limited to:

• A completed application for Fieldwork submitted by the due date
• Minimum GPA requirement met
• Passing CSET scores or proof of completion of a CTC approved Subject Matter Waiver Program submitted to Teacher Preparation and Advisement (TPAC)
• Full Admission to the ESCP (including all Pre-Requisites completed)
• Current Certificate of Clearance and TB Clearance test
• Basic Skills Requirement met and documentation submitted to TPAC

8.4 During the Final Fieldwork candidates are not permitted to take any additional course outside the Final Fieldwork courses unless they have approval from their faculty advisor.

8.5 Seminar attendance – Candidates are required to attend Final Fieldwork Seminar in accordance with the requirements listed in the Student Teaching Handbook (ESCP Documents and Forms).

8.6 Final Fieldwork Placement

8.6.1 Traditional Final Fieldwork placements are made by the Office of Clinical Practice in a school and district in which CSULB has a current affiliation agreement on file. Candidates are not permitted to make their own placements. The Office of Clinical Practice works in conjunction with the Special Education Credential Program to find the best possible placements for Final Fieldwork. Many factors are taken into consideration when placing students, including student preference. However, preferred placements are not guaranteed and are dependent on available placements and program discretion. 

8.6.2 Traditional placements are full time, 4 days a week, on a teacher schedule, for the length of the CSULB semester. Candidates begin in the classroom no later than the second week of the CSULB semester. Placements will conclude at the end of the final week of the CSULB semester, with the option of continuing through Finals week as needed.

8.6.3 Candidates must meet all listed Fieldwork Expectations as listed in the Student Teaching Handbook (posted on ESCP Website).

8.6.4 A University Supervisor will be assigned to each candidate during their Final Fieldwork and this assignment is solely done at the discretion of the Program Coordinator.

8.6.5 No prior placements (as a Teacher of Record, Intern, or Long Term Substitute) may be used retroactively for Final Fieldwork.

8.6.6 Final Fieldwork Placements, including those on Internships must be within the CSULB student teaching placement service area (within 15 miles from CSULB), and in a school district that CSULB has a current affiliation agreement on file.

8.7 Candidates may substitute teach for their master teacher during their assigned student teaching hours with approval from the district, school site, and University Supervisor. 

8.8 All Final Fieldwork candidates are required to attend orientation the first week of the CSULB semester. Date, time and location are listed in the CSULB schedule of classes for EDSP 587A and EDSP 588A.

8.9 Candidates who are not meeting the required competencies during student teaching may be placed on an Intervention and Support Plan. Candidates that do not successfully complete the Intervention and Support Plan will receive NC and will need to petition the Education Specialist Faculty to be allowed to repeat student teaching.

8.10 Candidates who receive NC for any portion of Final Fieldwork will be required to meet with the Credential Program Coordinator to create an Intervention and Support Plan outlining the criteria that must be met prior to reapplying to student teach for a future semester.

8.10.1 Candidates who are removed, or asked to leave their student teaching placement, will receive NC for the course and must complete the student teaching withdrawal process. To continue in the program candidates must meet with the Credential Program Coordinator to create an Intervention and Support Plan outling the criteria that must be met prior to reapplying to student teaching in a future semester.

8.10.2 Candidates who are removed or asked to leave their student teaching placement for a second time will be disqualified from the program.

9.1 Candidates may withdraw from Final Fieldwork for any reason one time by following the Student Teaching Withdrawal procedures outlined below.  If it becomes necessary to withdraw from Final Fieldwork a second time, then the candidate must go through the ESCP petition process. Students should contact the Program Coordinator as soon as possible to obtain petition details. All decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

9.2 Candidates who plan to withdraw from Final Fieldwork must notify the Office of Clinical Practice at CED-OCP@csulb.edu and the Program Coordinator as soon as possible. Candidates will be required to submit a Student Teaching Withdrawal Form to the Office of Clinical Practice as well as complete the additional steps outlined below dependent on the time of withdrawal. Should a candidate decide to reapply for student teaching, the candidate will be required to complete another Final Fieldwork Application and submit it by the appropriate deadline.

9.2.1 Withdrawal prior to start of the semester

Candidates who withdraw from Final Fieldwork prior to the start of the semester must submit a Student Teaching Withdrawal Form to the Office of Clinical Practice, drop Final Fieldwork courses on myCSULB, and submit an Educational Leave of Absence with the University. 

9.2.3 Withdrawal within the first two weeks of the semester

Candidates who withdraw from Final Fieldwork within the first two weeks of the semester must notify their Mentor Teacher, University Supervisor, and the Office of Clinical Practice (CED-OCP@csulb.edu) immediately. Candidates must submit a Student Teaching Withdrawal Form to the Office of Clinical Practice, drop Final Fieldwork courses on myCSULB, and submit an Educational Leave of Absence with the University. 

9.2.3 Withdrawal after the first two weeks of the semester

Candidates who withdraw from Final Fieldwork after the first two weeks of the semester must notify their Mentor Teacher, University Supervisor, and the Office of Clinical Practice (CED-OCP@csulb.edu) immediately. Candidates must submit a Student Teaching Withdrawal Form to the Office of Clinical Practice and submit a Withdrawal Petition to Enrollment Services.  Candidates will receive a W on their transcripts for the courses they withdraw from. It is not necessary to submit an Educational Leave of Absence form. Candidates must meet with the Program Coordinator to develop an Intervention and Support Plan if they plan to re-enroll in student teaching at a later date.

10.1 To be considered for an Internship, candidates must follow all policies found on the Special Education Credential Program Internship Approval Checklist. Candidates must first have an official job offer and then meet with the program coordinator to ensure that the position will satisfy program and student teaching requirements. Once approved the candidate meets with the Intern Advisor to discuss the intern application process.

10.1.2 Candidates wishing to use an internship position for Final Fieldwork must have an official job offer a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester to allow enough time to complete the Eligibility and Approval Process and be recommended for their internship before the semester begins.

10.2 All current Interns must follow the procedures and deadlines for applying for Final Fieldwork. Placement in the current Intern classroom for Final Fieldwork will need to be approved by the Program Coordinator during the semester prior to starting Final Fieldwork.

10.3 Interns are required to meet all Final Fieldwork policies and requirements as listed above in 8.0.

10.4 Interns will be required to follow the traditional school schedule established by their hiring school site.

10.5 A candidate on an Internship Credential must remain in good standing with the University and the ESCP. A candidate on an Internship must take a minimum of one course each semester to remain in good standing. All program coursework, including Final Fieldwork, must be completed within the 2-year time frame of the intern credential.

10.6 Interns are required to concurrently enroll in the Intern Support course (EDSP 586) each semester they hold an Intern Credential with the expectation of the semester/s enrolled in Final Fieldwork.

10.7 Candidates who are approved for an Internship must pass all program courses with a C or better to remain on an Internship. A candidate who receives a D, F or WU in a program course will be placed on Administrative Academic Warning and will have one semester to retake the course to achieve the appropriate grade. Candidates must meet with the Program Coordinator to develop an Intervention  and Support Plan before continuing in the program. Candidates must also maintain a 3.0 in all program courses. 

10.8 Intern candidates must adhere to all Internship Credential criteria, or the intern credential will be revoked.

10.9 Candidates that are removed from student teaching for poor performance may not use a paid position for student teaching when they re-enter. These candidates are required to complete traditional student teaching after successfully reapplying to student teach.

10.10 To remain an active intern you must be in good standing in the program and enrolled in a minimum of one course each semester through the completion of your program.  Interns are not permitted to take an Education Leave of Absence.  Intern Candidates that are not completing Final Fieldwork will be required to enroll in EDSP 586 each semester they are an active intern.  Interns must also complete timely and complete submission of Intern Logs each month. Any intern not complying with the above may result in cancellation of your Internship Credential.

11.1 The California State University, Long Beach, College of Education will enforce a 37-unit residency requirement for the Special Education Credential Program. Candidates who transfer credential program courses to CSULB from another CCTC-approved college or university will be permitted equivalency or substitution for courses completed at another campus, following regular university/college guidelines. If transferring more than 9 units, the transfer candidate must submit verification of their good standing status in the program they are transferring from. At least 37 semester units must be completed at CSULB. Exceptions to the residency requirement must be reviewed on an individual basis through the existing petition process.

11.2 Candidates transferring from another institution that are planning to submit more than 9 units of course equivalencies must submit a letter of good standing from the institution from which they are transferring from.

11.3 Candidates wishing to transfer courses completed at another university must complete the Course Equivalency process outlined in policy 5.0 Course Equivalencies.

11.4 A maximum of 9 units can be transferred from other universities through the Course Equivalency Request process.

Grade appeals for EDSP courses are submitted according to University guidelines.

Candidates for the Special Education Credential Program are subject to existing and future State requirements as may be imposed by law or California Commission on Teacher Credentialing regulations, regardless of what is posted on the website or in the CSULB Catalog.

CSULB does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, disability/handicap in educational programs conducted by the University. Candidates requests for modifications to ensure equal access and benefits, including academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and accessible programs and facilities should be made to the Director, Bob Murphy Access Center, Student Success Center Room #110, (562) 985-5401.

Candidates may petition any program policy that is listed above by filing a written appeal addressed to the Special Education Program Coordinator and submitted to the Teacher Preparation Advising Center. The petition will be reviews by the Education Specialist Faculty Committee. After the review, the Committee renders its final decision. The candidate will be notified in writing of the decision. Any policy listed above that is in accordance with Commission on Teacher Credentialing or CSU Chancellor’s requirements is not able to be petitioned.

16.1 Special Education Credential Program candidates are expected to adhere to all posted policies while in the program.

16.2 Special Education Credential Program candidates are required to demonstrate dispositions and professionalism that are appropriate for Special Education Credential Program Candidates (ESCP Documents and Forms). Candidates must demonstrate this in their coursework, all interactions with program faculty and staff, and in representing the university while completing coursework, fieldwork observations and Final Fieldwork.

16.3 Candidates that are placed on an Intervention and Support Plan or Administrative Academic Warning for any reason must successfully meet all indicated requirements in the timeframe given.

16.4 To be in good standing in the Education Specialist Credential Program candidates must complete all courses with a C or better and maintain a 3.0 GPA in all program courses as well as a 3.0 GPA in program core courses. Candidates that are unable to maintain a 3.0 GPA in program courses are not in good standing with the program and may retake one course one time to re-establish good standing. Candidates will need to meet with the program coordinator to review your advisement plan and create a intervention and support plan for continuing in the program.