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Credential Program Admissions

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Which Credential is Right For Me?

Deciding which Education Specialist Credential you wish to pursue is an exciting and important decision.

Attend an Overview (Required for All Applicants):

To learn more about our credential programs and the application process, please attend one of our program overviews. We offer multiple overviews each month. See the overview calendar for dates, times, and locations. Each overview is online and lasts approximately 2 hours.

Questions? Contact spedadvising@fullerton.edu

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Mild to Moderate Support Needs

This online credential prepares educators to support students with a range of academic and behavioral  support needs, including students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and more in grades TK–12. Educators in this area collaborate with general education teachers and provide services in inclusive classrooms, resource specialist programs, or special day classes to provide tailored instruction. Choose MMSN if you’re passionate about fostering academic growth and independence in students through targeted interventions.

Extensive Support Needs

The online ESN credential equips teachers to work with students from TK to age 22 who have more significant disabilities and require intensive support across academic, functional, and communication areas. These educators often work in specialized programs or inclusive settings with additional support. Choose ESN if you're driven to make a profound impact in the lives of students with complex needs, helping them build essential life and learning skills.

Early Childhood Special Education

ECSE teachers provide early intervention for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities from birth through kindergarten, supporting development in areas such as communication, social-emotional growth, and early academics. They often work in homes, preschools, and inclusive early learning environments. Choose hybrid ECSE if you're excited about working with young children and families during the critical early years of development, when early support can create lasting change.

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Prerequisites

Prerequisites may be in progress when you submit an application. Must be completed with a C- or higher before starting the Education Specialist Credential Programs.

  • Early Childhood Special Education:  
    • SPED 371, SPED 400, SPED 425
  • Mild to Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support Needs:
    • SPED 371, SPED 425, SPED 465

In addition to the prerequisite courses above, all programs require a College of Education (COE) approved Ethnic Studies Course.

A equivalent course to SPED 371 may be offered at a community college.

Petition for Approved Course Alternative

If you feel that you have taken a prerequisite course at another college or institution that is equivalent to one of our courses, please complete this petition. Only complete petition packets will be reviewed for approval. Please note: A submitted petition is not a guarantee for course equivalency approval.  Please allow for 8-10 business days for review by the department.

Registering for Prerequisite Courses

You may take these courses as a CSUF Undergraduate OR by registering through CSUF University Extension.

Apply

Applicants must submit admission items according to the program application checklist below:

Additional Admissions documents:

The application review process allows us to consider experiences, attributes and other academic metrics as well as the value an applicant would contribute to learning and teaching. The candidate shall have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 in all baccalaureate and postbaccalaureate coursework or a grade point average of at least 2.75 in the last 60 semester units attempted.

Application Priority Deadlines: February 15th & March 15th

You may submit an application after the final priority deadline, however, admission decisions will be prioritized for those who submit an application by the stated priority deadlines. If you submit an application after the last priority deadline, you will be placed on a waitlist and your application will be processed if a space becomes available.

All file items must be completed and submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for the program. The only requirements that can be in progress when you apply are the pre-requisite courses, the subject matter requirement and the basic skill requirement.

Once credential applicants have uploaded all admission items to Cal State Apply, submitted the Cal State Apply application, and have successfully completed or have evidence of being enrolled in all prerequisite courses, they will be interviewed.  If these applicants successfully pass the interview, they will be admitted to the Education Specialist Credential Program.

Please refer to tuition for further fees.

Prepared outside of California? Refer here.

International students: please be sure to contact International Student Services for advisement related to immigration status, personal, social, and cultural matters.

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