| Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses |
|
|
| EDUU 510* | Introduction to Teaching |
3 |
| EDUU 511* | Collaboration For Inclusive Schooling |
3 |
| EDUU 516* | Introduction to Planning and Assessment | 3 |
| EDMU 520* | Literacy and Language in K-8 Classrooms I | 3 |
| *Candidates may be eligible for internships after completing the above 4 courses |
|
|
| EDUU 512 | The Art & Craft of Teaching |
3 |
|
EDMU 521 or EDSU 532 |
Literacy and Language in K-8 Classrooms II Effective Literacy Instruction for Single Subject Candidates |
3 |
| Emphasis Courses |
|
|
| EDUU 517 | Communication, Health, and Mobility |
3 |
| EDUU 602 | Positive Behavior Supports |
3 |
| EDUU 655 | Individualized Education Plan Development and Special Education Law |
3 |
| EDUU 663 | Advanced Methods In Special Education |
3 |
| EDUU 664 | Advanced Assessment in Special Education |
3 |
| EDUU 662 | Collaboration and Co-Teaching | 3 |
| Subtotal |
36 |
|
MA in Teaching, Preliminary Education Specialist with Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential
Combine your Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential with a master's in teaching degree and make a difference in the learning and development of students who have mild to moderate disabilities. Plus, our Internship Pathway allows you to become intern eligible after just four classes!
Make a Difference in Students with Disabilities
By combining this CTC-accredited Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential with a Master of Arts in Teaching, we’ve streamlined the process to begin helping students with a range of intellectual, behavioral, emotional, communication, sensory, and/or motor impairments. Coursework will lay your SPED teaching foundation, progressing to creating individualized education plans based on assessment and evaluation of student needs. After your first four classes, you’ll be intern eligible, enabling you to start teaching, earning a salary while completing your credential coursework. With only three additional courses, you’ll also have earned your Master of Arts in Teaching.
- Work with Students of Various Ages - This Mild to Moderate Support Needs Special Education Credential prepares you to work in California school systems with K-12 students and adults up to the age of 22.
- MAT Opens More Doors - Beyond teaching, an MAT opens doors to other roles such as instructional coach, curriculum specialist, assessment director, grade level lead, administration, teaching at a community college, and more.
- Curriculum Design, Classroom Management - You’ll use California content standards to learn to design developmentally appropriate special education lessons, to understand and differentiate instruction for varying needs, and to assess student progress.
Next Session
Spring II (Mar 3, 2025)
Estimated Tuition
$730/Credit
Help me estimate my costWays to Learn
Online
Discover Affordable Education
At UMass Global, our goal is to change your life through affordable education. We work with you to find grants, scholarships, tuition discounts, and low interest loans to keep your costs down.
Program Benefits that Benefit You.
Just Three Classes to your MAT
With just three additional courses, you’ll earn your Master of Arts in Teaching along with your California Teaching Credential.
CTC Approved
UMass Global’s MAT and credentials are recognized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Free Credential Test Prep
All students enrolled in the program receive complimentary credential test preparation from Teach Us, along with additional support to help you excel in your CalTPA and CSET examinations.
University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
University of Massachusetts Global's School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing.
What can you do with a Preliminary ED.S., Mild/Moderate Credential
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Data source: Lightcast™ 2022 www.lightcast.io
The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.
1. Change in employment projections 2022 - 2032
2. Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and updated quarterly
3. The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program
Compared to a brick and mortar, the professors are more open and I was able to learn better from them. The online community is what kept me going. I think this is the first time in my life that I can say I am proud of myself.
Leonard W.
MA in Special Education, Behavior Analysis
MA in Special Education, Behavior Analysis
I took the Autism classes [through Extended Education] and found the passion of special education, which I really never thought of as an option. I finished the Autism program and enrolled in the Master of Special Education. I have learned to reflect on my teaching and determine if I am reaching all students and on how to better reach any struggling students.
Amy J.
MA, Special Education
MA, Special Education
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the teaching credential program must complete the formal application process with all required documents, which include:
- Completed application
- 2.75 grade point average (GPA)
- Official transcripts showing a conferred Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
California Only
Successful completion of this program leads to state licensure, which is limited to the state of California and approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Letter of Good Standing
Applicants transferring from another institution's teaching credential program must supply a letter from that institution's Education Department attesting to the applicant's good standing in the program. The letter should be written on institutional letterhead by the Dean, department chair, director of teacher education, or someone in a similar position
Subject Matter Verification
Subject matter competency must be fulfilled to qualify for enrollment in student teaching or internship. Candidates must sign an intent to satisfy the subject matter competency requirement through one of the following: CSET exam; subject matter preparation program; approved coursework aligned with subject matter domains; or approved academic degree.
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CREDENTIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS? Request more information>
Master of Arts in Teaching with Special Education Credential Curriculum
Earn your Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) while launching your special education career! This program equips you with core teaching skills, allowing you to become intern-eligible after just 4 classes. Begin teaching as the teacher of record in a classroom while you seamlessly complete online coursework for both your credential and MAT. With just three additional courses, you'll graduate with your master's degree. Our program offers embedded support to guide you through state credential requirements. Specialized courses delve into essential areas for special education teachers, including communication, behavior support, and creating Individualized Education Plans.
-
-
Code Course Name Credits EDUU 681 Cultural Diversity, Equity, & Global Perspectives in Education 3
EDUU 682 Paradigms, Practices, & Policies in Education 3
EDUU 683 Capstone: Exploring Problems of Practice in Education 3
Master's in Teaching Core Subtotal 9
-
Code Course Name Credits Student Teaching EDTU 550 Student Teaching I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs 3
EDUU 576 Education Specialist Student Teaching Seminar A 2
EDTU 551 Student Teaching II: Mild to Moderate Support Needs 3
EDUU 577 Education Specialist Student Teaching Seminar B 2
or Internship EDTU 565-A Support Teaching I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (Interns Only) 2
EDTU 565-B Support Teaching I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (Interns Only) 2
EDTU 565-C Support Teaching I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (Interns Only) 2
EDTU 566-A Support Teaching II: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (Interns Only) 2
EDUU 580 Education Specialist Intern Seminar A 2
EDUU 581 Education Specialist Intern Seminar B 2
Clinical Practice Subtotal Clinical Practice credits vary depending on whether the candidate is a student teacher or intern.
10-12 Total Credits 55-57
Become the Teacher Who Inspired You
Have questions about enrollment, degree programs or financial aid? A UMass Global enrollment coach can help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about special education credentials and teaching in California.
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Even if you stay in your home state and have no intentions of moving, most teachers still have to renew their credentials every five years. One of the main criteria for renewal is showing proof of dedication to continuing education, whether through in-service training sessions or formal academic study.
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Special education credentials are differentiated from each other by their focus. The Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential builds a specialized focus on students with mild to moderate disabilities in inclusive and general education environments. The other California special education credentials are for Early Childhood Special Education, Extensive Support Needs, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Standards Visual Impairments.
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Earning a master's in teaching has numerous benefits for an educator. Here are a few key benefits:
- Expertise — You’ll expand your skills as an educator through the additional courses needed to earn your MAT, which all focus on broader issues in education.
- Increased salary potential — Most school districts offer higher pay tiers depending on the level of education.
- Career options — Having a master’s degree expands career options into areas such as curriculum coordinator, department head, assessment director, and various administrative roles.
- Expanded teaching — Should you choose at some point to broaden your teaching from the special education realm, an MAT can allow you to do so, although you may still have to gain subject matter expertise if you move into a completely new area. Still, your MAT would open possibilities teaching at community colleges, doing educational consulting, working at education nonprofits, and other options.
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To earn the SPED credential portion, you will need to complete 36 credit hours of coursework — 18 introductory block credits (six courses) and 18 content area block credits (six courses), along with 10 or 12 credit hours of internship teaching or student teaching. From there, earning your Master of Arts in Teaching will require an additional nine credit hours (three courses).
The credential can be earned as quickly as 18 to 24 months, with the MAT adding two to four extra months. This timeframe assumes you take two courses per eight-week session, and it may vary depending upon the session in which you start.
Remember, should you choose the UMass Global Internship Pathway, you can begin intern teaching as the teacher of record in a classroom after only four courses. That way you can start earning a salary while finishing your credential and MAT courses.
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Obtaining a Preliminary Special Education Credential, Mild to Moderate Support Needs offers numerous benefits for educators and their students:
- Career Advancement Opportunities - Gaining your Preliminary Special Education Credential opens doors to a rewarding career in education, specifically tailored to supporting students with mild to moderate support needs.
- Making a Difference - By working with students who have mild to moderate support needs, you will have the chance to create a significant impact on their educational journey. Your specialized skills and knowledge will help these students achieve their full potential.
- Enhanced Teaching Skills - With this credential, you'll develop advanced teaching skills that are specifically aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by students with mild to moderate support needs. This expertise not only benefits your students but also enriches your overall teaching practice.
- Job Security and Demand - There is a growing demand for qualified special education teachers who can provide tailored support to students with varying needs. Obtaining this credential ensures that you are well-prepared to meet this demand, providing you with job security and a multitude of career opportunities in the field of special education.
- Personal Fulfillment - Working in special education is not just a job — it's a calling. The personal fulfillment and sense of accomplishment that come from making a positive difference in the lives of students and their families are immeasurable. This credential helps you embark on a career path that is both professionally and personally rewarding.
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A Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential authorizes the holder to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K-12 and through age 22 in California. This credential prepares educators to work in general and inclusive classrooms, focusing on behavior support, communication strategies, and adaptive skills. It is the initial credential required for those seeking to enter the field of special education with a focus on students who can participate in a general classroom environment but need accommodations to be able to keep pace with the class.
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There are many characteristics that are essential for teachers who work with special needs students. Some examples include:
- They are active listeners
- They have strong social perception skills
- They understand how to support different learning styles
- They're adept at complex problem solving
- They are service oriented