myCSUSM
Special Education
Education Specialist Instruction Credentials Offered
- Mild to Moderate Support Needs - Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential
Authorizes instruction of students with mild to moderate support needs with a primary disability of:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Emotional Disturbance
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment (e.g. Attention Deficit Disorder)
- Specific Learning Disability
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Extensive Support Needs - Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential
Authorizes instruction of students with extensive support needs with a primary disability of:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Deaf-Blindness
- Emotional Disturbance
- Intellectual Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment (e.g. Attention Deficit Disorder)
- Specific Learning Disability
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Which Program is Right for You?
If you do not have any teacher credentials, the Education Specialist Concurrent Program is the program for you! If you already hold a Multiple Subject or other credential, the Education Specialist Add-On Program would be your best option!
All Education Specialist programs provides the option to obtain a Master of Arts in Special Education degree. See the Master of Arts in Special Education program description for courses and clinical practice that may be applied toward the Master’s degree.
Education Specialist Concurrent Program
- Year One - Multiple Subject Credential and Early Special Education Experiences
Fall Semester
- EDMX 511 Elementary Teaching & Learning I for Ed. Specialists (3 units)
- EDMX 521 Elementary Literacy for Education Specialists (3 units)
- EDMX 543 Mathematics Education in Inclusive Classrooms (3 units)
- EDMS 555 Elementary Multilingual Education (3 units)
- EDMX 570 Clinical Practice: Elementary & Special Settings (6 units)
- EDUC 590A CalTPA Performance Cycle I (1 unit)
Breadth of Experience Requirement (Early Special Education Experiences)
Spring Semester
- EDMX 512 Elementary Teaching & Learning II for Ed. Specialists (3 units)
- EDMS 544 Social Studies Education in Elementary Schools (3 units)
- EDMS 545 Elementary Science Education (3 units)
- EDMX 622 Literacy for Education Specialists (4 units)
- EDMX 571 Clinical Practice Multiple Subject II (7 units)
- EDUC590B CalTPA Performance Cycle II (1 unit)
Students seeking the Bilingual Authorization along with their credential must take the following classes in addition to the classes listed above:
First Semester
EDUC 653 Biliteracy Education I: Contexts for Learning Syllabus
Second Semester
EDUC 654 Biliteracy Education II: Methodology and Cultural Contexts
Additionaly, students seeking the Bilingual Authorization along with their credential are also required to take the following class in place of either EDMX 570, EDMX 571, or both:
EDMS 573 Clinical Practice in a Bilingual/ELD Setting
- Year Two - Education Specialist Instruction Credentials: Mild to Moderate Support
Needs and Extensive Support Needs
Fall Semester
- EDMX630 Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Their Families (3 Units)
- EDMX 627 Assessment for Planning & Instruction (3 units)
- EDMX 631 Foundations in Law, Ethics, & Procedures of Special Education
- EDMX 575 Transition Development Plan Seminar (2 units ) (needed for MMSN)
- EDMX 572 Education Specialist - Clinical Practice: Special Education Setting (7 units) (needed for MMSN)
Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN
Spring Semester
- EDMX632 Instructional and Assistive Technology (3 Units)
- EDMX633 Creating Accessible Learning Environments (3 units)
- EDMX635 Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Extensive Support Needs (4 units) (needed for ESN)
- EDMX636 Communication and Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units) (needed for ESN)
- EDMX573 Education Specialist - Clinical Practice: Extensive Support Needs (7 units) (needed for ESN)
- Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN
- Admissions Information
Education Specialist Add-On Program
- Fall Semester
- EDMX 630 Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Their Families (3 units)
- EDMX 627 Assessment for Planning and Instruction (3 units)
- EDMX 631 Foundations in Law, Ethics, and Procedures of Special Education (3 units)
- EDMX 575 Transition Development Plan Seminar (2 units) (MMSN only)
- EDMX 572 Education Specialist-Clinical Practice: Special Education Setting (7 units) (MMSN only)
Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN
- Spring Semester
- EDMX 632 Instructional and Assistive Technology (3 units)
- EDMX 633 Creating Accessible Learning Environments (3 units)
- EDMX 622 Literacy for Education Specialists (4 units)
- EDMX 635 Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Extensive Support Needs (4 units) (for those seeking ESN)
- EDMX 636 Communication and Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units) (ESN only)
- EDMX 573 Education Specialist - Clinical Practice: Extensive Support Needs (7 units) (ESN only)
Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN
- Admissions Information
Faculty
- Emiliano Ayala
Dr. Emiliano C. Ayala is a Professor of Special Education for the School of Education at California State University at San Marco. His primary instructional responsibilities include teaching courses in the Education Specialist (special education) credential programs as well as offering doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate courses supporting future California educators. Prior to his faculty appointment, Dr. Ayala served as Dean for the College of Education, Health and Human Services (CEHHS) at California State University San Marcos. In addition, he has served in various faculty and administrative roles at Sonoma State University and Humboldt State University. Dr. Ayala studies, writes, and speaks about the impact of cultural diversity in K-12 education, policy and legal issues in special education, administrative policy and practice in higher education, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in higher education. Dr. Ayala’s professional accomplishments focus on supporting post-secondary students with disabilities. He served as Principle Investigator for EnACT and EnACT~PTD (U.S. Department of Education) and Project Co-Director for Access by Design (National Science Foundation). These federal grants were designed to support professional development activities for faculty and administrators at institutions of higher education with the goal of providing a quality education for postsecondary students with disabilities.
- Email: ecayala@csusm.edu
- Phone: (760)750-8512
- Rebecca Brooks
Dr. Rebecca Brooks is an Associate Professor of Education for the School of Education and Program Director for the Aspiring Scholars Program (an inclusive post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities) at California State University at San Marcos. Dr. Brooks has worked with individuals with disabilities in recreational, vocational, residential, and educational settings for over 30 years. Prior to her faculty appointment, she served as a special educator in public schools for 16 years, dedicating her career to including students with disabilities in general education settings. She developed peer tutoring programs and focused on creating accessible curriculum for all students. Her published works have been in the areas of inclusive education, curriculum adaptations, and peer tutoring. She is a nationwide presenter and consultant in the area of effective inclusive schooling practices. Her research interests focus on access to general education curriculum, accommodations and modifications, the development and implementation of peer tutoring support systems, and inclusive post-secondary education programs.
- Email: rbrooks@csusm.edu
- Phone: (760) 750-8506
- Jodi Robledo
Dr. Jodi Robledo is a Professor in Special Education at California State University, San Marcos and serves as the Program Coordinator of the Education Specialist Credential Programs and Master’s Degree option. Dr. Robledo also teaches courses in the Speech-Language Pathology Department. Prior to this appointment, she was K-12 Autism Specialist and Education Specialist in an urban multicultural school district. Dr. Robledo currently teaches courses with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, supporting individuals with moderate/severe disabilities, and inclusive education. She has joint referred journal publications, several book chapters, and numerous national conference presentations. Her research interests focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, supportive relationships, sensory and movement differences, building self-advocacy skills in youth with ASD, and inclusive education.
- Email: jrobledo@csusm.edu
- Phone: (760) 750-4317