Credential Programs
FALL 2025 APPLICANTS: Please note that the pre-requisites for the Special Education Credential Programs have changed. The following pre-requisites are required to apply for Fall 2025:
- Early Childhood Special Education Credential Program: SPED 371, SPED 400, SPED 425
- Mild to Moderate Support Needs: SPED 371, SPED 425, SPED 465
- Extensive Support Needs: SPED 371, SPED 425, SPED 465
The Special Education Specialist Credentials are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Individuals wishing to pursue the Specialist Credential must apply to the University indicating the specific Specialist Credential program desired. At least 75% of the program must be completed at CSUF. If you are transferring courses in, they must have been taken within the last seven years Use the Course Equivalency Petition
to gain approval for acceptance of courses taken outside of CSUF.
Our Education Specialist Preliminary Credential Programs:
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) includes the provision of educational services to children from birth through kindergarten who are eligible for early intervention, special education, and/or related services under federal and state laws. This specialization is committed to preparing reflective professionals who will provide high quality services to infants, toddlers, young children, and their families.
Preliminary Early Childhood Education Specialist Program Plan, FULL-TIME (2 semesters)
Preliminary Early Childhood Education Specialist Program Plan, PART-TIME (4 semesters)
The Mild to Moderate Suppport Needs credential authorizes the provision of services to individuals in grades tk-12 to age 22, with mild to moderate support needs such as autism, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities, and other health-impaired and emotional disturbances.
Preliminary Mild to Moderate Support Needs Program Plan, FULL-TIME (2 semesters)
Preliminary Mild to Moderate Support Needs Program Plan, PART-TIME (4 semesters)
The Extensive Support Needs credential authorizes the provision of services to individuals in grades tk-12 to age 22, with extensive support needs such as autism, intellectual disabilities, deaf-blindness, serious emotional disturbances, multiple disabilities, and other disabilities.
Preliminary Extensive Support Needs Program Plan, FULL-TIME (2 semesters)
Preliminary Extensive Support Needs Program Plan, PART-TIME (4 semesters)
INTERN CREDENTIAL EDUCATION SPECIALIST PROGRAM
The Intern Credential Program is designed for teacher candidates who wish to complete credential requirements while concurrently teaching in a special education position in a public school setting.
Early Childhood Special Education INTERN Program Plan, FULL-TIME (2 semesters)
Mild to Moderate Support Needs INTERN Program Plan, FULL-TIME (2 semesters)
Extensive Support Needs INTERN Program Plan, FULL-TIME (2 semesters)
Bilingual Authorization (BiAu) Program
There is a great need for bilingual teachers who can communicate with students and parents in their native language. The Bilingual Authorization (BiAu) Program within the College of Education at CSUF prepares teacher candidates to teach in K-12 Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Filipino, Hmong, and/or Vietnamese bilingual and dual immersion classrooms. For more information, please contact our Bilingual Authorization Coordinator, Dr. Fernando Rodriguez-Valls at frodriguez-valls@fullerton.edu.
