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Special Education, M.A.Ed. and Moderate/Severe
Specialist (Preliminary) Credential, Track A

• About the Program
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*All stated financial information is subject to change. The At a Glance provides Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) to aid in program comparison only. For a detailed cost estimate or more information, contact APU's Graduate Student Financial Services.

Coursework

• Course Requirements
• TaskStream ePortfolios
• Steps to Becoming a Teacher
• Credential Analysts
• Frequently Asked Questions

Course Requirements

The cohort model begins with entry in Module 1 in Fall I or Spring I. Candidates who enter at other times of the year will be advised regarding course enrollment prior to the next modular entry date. A maximum of nine units may be taken per term with the department chair’s prior written approval only. All courses are online.

*Students must complete this course before taking the RICA, and the RICA must be passed before qualifying for a credential.

Students must also meet with advisor to develop a transition plan at the end of Module 2.

*Candidates may not register for this course without clearance by the Office of Student Services. This is a mentor-based course. Teacher candidates do not attend classes to meet regularly with an instructor. Teacher candidates must attend a mandatory Clinical Practice orientation meeting before the term begins.

*Candidates cannot register for this course without clearance by the Office of Student Services. This is a mentor-based course. Teacher candidates do not attend classes to meet regularly with an instructor. Teacher candidates must attend a mandatory Clinical Practice orientation meeting before the term begins.

TaskStream ePortfolios

Candidates are required to enroll in TaskStream, which includes an online portfolio assessment system to facilitate candidate evaluation. Candidates create electronic portfolios to showcase and document their competencies and experience with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), share artifacts or the entire portfolio with instructors and advisors for feedback and review online, submit sections of their portfolio or the entire body of work for evaluation online, and track their progress toward their degree. Courses include assignments, etc. that comprise the portfolio. A one-time assessment fee is levied at the program’s outset to cover these requirements.

Note: Up-to-date schedule of course offerings per term can be found through the university’s Web portal, or with the assistance of the site coordinator.

Steps to Becoming a Teacher

The cohort model begins with entry in Module 1 in Fall I or Spring I. Students who enter at other times of the year will be advised regarding course enrollment prior to the next modular entry date.

STEP 1: Successful completion of first and second modules of coursework

Note: Candidates admitted with provisional program acceptance must complete the first 12 units with a B (3.0) or better in each course to remain eligible for continued enrollment at the university. CBEST must be passed before moving to Module 2.

STEP 2: RICA
Special education candidates are required to pass the reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) before applying for a Preliminary Credential. As the course to prepare for this exam is taken in the first module (SPED 574), students are strongly encouraged to take the exam during the second module.

STEP 3: Successful completion of Clinical Practice and all coursework in Modules 3 and 4

STEP 4: TPE
Teacher Performance Expectation will be met through SPED courses.

STEP 5: Clearance to advance to Clinical Practice (Student/Contract Teaching)
The Application for Clinical Practice Clearance must be submitted to the Office of Student Services (626) 815-5353 or (626) 815-5343 by October 1, for the spring semester, or by April 1, for the fall semester with the supporting documentation listed below:

• Subject-Matter Competency according to state and program guidelines by:
  • Proof of passage of California Subject Examinations for Teacher (CSET): Multiple-Subject, all three subtests
  Or if teaching in a junior or senior high school setting:
  • Proof of passage of Single-Subject Assessment Examination, all required subtests
  • Or
  • Official verification of completion of a CTC-approved subject-matter program signed by the credential analyst at the institute of higher education in which the courses were successfully completed
• U.S. Constitution requirement (passage by test or by verified coursework)
• Verification of passage of CBEST
• Receipt of results of Certificate of Clearance or a copy of a current Emergency Permit
• Verification of negative results from a Mantoux TB skin test

• Continuing positive disposition characteristics including emotional stability, interpersonal relations, evidence of mental and physical health, evidence of meeting ongoing “character” standards, and other requirements listed on the application

  Note: Candidates must report any changes or issues in “character” standings, including unresolved issues with the law and/or the CTC, to the credential analysts at APU. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the program.

• Completion of all module 1–4 coursework with remediation for B- grades. Remediation is done through the program director. Grades below B- require a repeat of the course by permission of the program director.

  Note: Remediation does not change the course grade but shows competency and allows the teacher candidate to proceed.

• Candidates must attend a mandatory meeting as directed by the department before Clinical Practice begins.
• Clinical Practice is met through one of the following:
  • Traditional candidate teaching (student teaching) in a master teacher’s classroom during the third and fourth modules (18 weeks, full-time, voluntary work)

  • Contracted teaching assignment in the candidate’s own classroom

    If Track B – must also include full-time public school contract and letter on school letterhead fully describing the assignment for consideration (must obtain prior approval from the program director).

    Note: Candidates with an approved non-WASC teaching position must complete an extra 50 hours (four to six weeks) of Clinical Practice in a WASC setting as placed by the Office of Student Services. (626) 815-5353 or (626) 815-5343

STEP 6: Completion of transition plan and CPR (infant, child, and adult).

STEP 7: Apply for Credential.
Candidates may apply for the Preliminary Credential upon completion of all the above criteria. The Preliminary Credential is valid for five years and nonrenewable. Contact the Credential Analysts’ Office for application materials at the end of the fourth module. Contact (626) 815-5346 for more information.

STEP 8: Professional Clear Credential
Those who successfully complete the Preliminary Credential and are employed, have 120 days to begin work on their Clear Credential. A Change of Program must be submitted in order to be advised and allowed to register for the coursework involved. An Individual Induction Plan is also developed. (See Clear Credential program for more information.)

Credential Analysts

Credential analysts are liaisons between graduate education candidates, school districts, and California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). They process requests for fingerprint clearance (Certificates of Clearance), and applications required to file credentials with the CTC. They review all potential candidate files as part of the admissions process. For more information, please contact (626) 815-5346.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many units do I take each semester?
Students may take no more than 8 units per nine-week term, which includes a maximum of two methods or education classes and their corequisite field experiences (if appropriate).

How long is a semester?
Each semester has two terms (Fall I and Fall II, Spring I and Spring II). Each term is nine weeks in length. The 18-week student teaching semester covers Fall I and II or Spring I and II.

How many hours does each class session require?
Each class requires that students meet for approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes, once a week.

How many evenings per week do I attend classes?
Students meet one night a week for nine weeks, plus a Saturday final exam session.

Does APU require theses, dissertations, or capstone projects?
Students are required to complete a thesis/capstone project for this program.

How soon can I finish this program?
This program can be completed in a year. Depending upon the desired course load, working individuals usually finish this program in 12–18 months.