Credential Programs

Pre-requisites for Special Education Credential Program

Pre-requisite Courses must be taken first before applying to the Education Specialist Credential Program. Pre-requisite couress must be complete or in progress by the application deadline.

Register for Pre-requisite Courses

You may take these courses as a CSUF Undergraduate OR by registering through the Extended Education Website.

Pre-requisite Courses

(SPED pre-reqs must be passed with a "C-" or better and Ethnic Studies Pre-req must be passed with a "C-" or better)

SPED 322 - Introduction to Positive Behavior Support

SPED 371- Exceptional Individual

SPED 425- Language and Culture for Special Populations

Ethnic Studies Course - More information on this pre-requisite can be found on the Center for Careers in Teaching website.

Applying to the Program

Applicants must submit admission items according to the SPED Application Checklist . Failure to do so may result in Denial to the program.

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. If you do not currently meet the minimum GPA requirements, we still encourage you to submit an application.

Credential Enrollment Fees

You can pay securely and online, or pay on-campus at Cashier's Office (Fullerton Campus - GH-180).

All Credential students who intend to enroll at CSU Fullerton must accept their offer of admission and pay a non-refundable $250 enrollment deposit. The deposit will offset a portion of your Registration Fees for the first semester. This is NOT an additional fee. Once paid, this deposit will reduce the cost of your fall tuition by $250.

You must accept admission and pay your enrollment deposit through your Student Portal, within the Student Center. Under the Admissions area of the Student Center, click on the Application Status link. The Accept/Decline button will be displayed. Click on the Accept/Decline button to accept your admission to CSU Fullerton. Accepting admission and paying the enrollment deposit are required to confirm your intent to enroll at CSU Fullerton.

Our College-wide deadline for final payment the $250 enrollment deposit for Fall is July 15th and Spring is due January 8th.

Students with financial aid will have the enrollment deposit waived until financial aid is awarded.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Fall: February 15th and March 15th (Fall 2023 Deadline extended to June 15, 2023)

Spring: September 15th and October 15th

We have two deadlines per semester to space out the number of applications.

**We recommend submitting your documents by the first deadline so you have a better opportunity of getting in to the program. 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. If you have any questions regarding this process prior to submitting an application, please email Lori Sadler.

All file items must be completed and submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for the program. The only requirement that can be in progress are the pre-requisite courses.

Once credential applicants have uploaded all admission items to Cal State Apply, submitted the Cal State Apply application, 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 guaranteed admission to the Education Specialist Credential Program.

Admissions Assistant:

Admission to Teacher Education Department
College Park Suite 570
Special Education Admissions Assistant - (657) 278-4196
Office Hours: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
California State University, Fullerton
2600 East Nutwood Avenue Fullerton CA 92831

Mailing Address  
Attn: Special Education Admissions Assistant
California State University Fullerton
Special Education - CP-570
P.O. Box 6868
Fullerton, California 92834-6868