Master of Arts in Education: Special Education
and Mild/Moderate Disabilities Specialist Internship Credential (K-12) Preliminary Level I, Track B

Mild to Moderate Educational Specialist Level II (Clear) Credential

Mild to Moderate Educational Specialist Level II Professional (Clear) Credential

Program Director: Nilsa Thorsos, Ph.D.
Phone: (626) 815-5425; (626) 815-5373; (626) 815-5430
Email: nthorsos@apu.edu

Those who successfully complete the Preliminary Credential and are employed have 120 days to begin work on their Level II (Professional Clear) Credential. A Change of Program Form must be submitted in order to be advised and allowed to register for the coursework involved. An Individual Induction Plan (IIP) is also developed.

NOTE:Those in the credential/master’s programs are allowed to continue with their master’s coursework while they are participating in their Level II program.

Criteria for Admission

In order to be admitted into the Mild to Moderate (M/M) Educational Specialist Credential Level II, a candidate must have:

1. Employment in a special education M/M position that is likely to have sufficient duration for the Level II IIP to be completed (at least two years)
2. A Preliminary Level I Mild to Moderate Disabilities Specialist Credential.

STEPS:

1. Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (626) 815-4584 for admission to the program. A Change of Program is processed for those already in an APU program. Otherwise, full admission procedures must be followed.
2. Once the file is received, the candidate will be contacted as to whom to meet with for advising into the program (start IIP). This is usually the SPED site coordinator closest to them by regional center.

Criteria for Level II Program

In order to clear the Mild to Moderate Education Specialist Credential Level II, candidates must complete the following requirements:

Development and Administration of the Individual Induction Plan (IIP)
As soon as possible, but no later than 120 calendar days of service under the Preliminary Level I Educational Specialist Credential, an IIP shall be developed in consultation among the candidate, employer, and APU. The Induction Plan shall identify and address individual candidate needs, college or university requirements, consultations and other activities with a district assigned support provider, and assessment of the plan’s completion. The IIP will be complete when the Level II specialist has completed an assessment of the plan.

An exit interview is required to complete the program requirements for the credential. Candidates must also apply for their Level II credential through the Credential Analysts’ Office: (626) 815-5486 or (626) 815-5346.

Non-University Activity Option
The IIP may include other professional development activities sponsored by organizations other than APU. Completion of approved non-university activities may be included in the Level II IIP for up to 25 percent or one quarter of the total program in consultation with the candidate and the employer’s representative. BTSA can account for 20 hours.

Support Activities
Consultations will be provided with an assigned support provider from the candidate’s district who will meet periodically with the candidate. As a basis for professional development consultations, the support provider and the candidate will also view one another’s classes from time to time.

A verified successful completion of a minimum of two years of teaching experience in a full-time special education position or the equivalent (form CL-41 EXP, signed by the district’s director of human resources) in a public school or private school of equivalent status while holding the Preliminary Level I Educational Specialist Credential is required.

Academic Requirements

NOTE: Candidates may not begin any Level II coursework until the above steps have been completed and the admission requirements are met..

Complete the three core courses plus other experiences as defined below:

NOTE: The above courses may not be waived or transferred in.