Azusa Pacific University’s Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential program prepares candidates to earn a California Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Preliminary Credential. This rigorous program includes comprehensive foundation courses emphasizing teaching and educational methods, as well as specialization courses providing content required for the education specialist credential. Practical classroom and fieldwork experiences provide application to theory, preparing candidates to teach in diverse settings. The mode of delivery includes face-to-face instruction, campus-based classes, distance learning, and clinical experiences.

Azusa Pacific University’s Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and includes specific methods courses that are accompanied by practical classroom applications and clinical experiences in public school assignments. 

Upon completion of the requirements listed below and all of the requirements detailed in the Steps to a Credential, the candidate will have earned a Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Preliminary Credential.

Computer and Software Requirements

Each student must have a Mac or PC laptop or notebook running the latest operating system with a word processing program and a stable internet connection.

Course Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Foundation Courses
TESP 501	Art of Teaching I: Foundations of Teaching 1	3
TESP 502	Science of Teaching I: How Students Learn 1	3
TESP 503	The Soul of Teaching: Tapestry of American Education	3
TESP 504	Schools and Educational Systems	3
Specialization Courses
SPED 517	Art of Teaching II: Pedagogy and Instructional Design for Education Specialists	3
SPED 518	Science of Teaching II: Effective Assessment Strategies for Learners with Special Needs	3
SPED 525	Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing	3
SPED 526	Specialized Academic Instruction: Reading, Writing, and Math	3
SPED 528	Assessment and IEP Development: Mild to Extensive Support Needs	3
SPED 529	Positive Behavior Supports for Students with Exceptional Needs	3
SPED 550	Clinical Practice I: Mild to Moderate Support Needs	2
SPED 553	Clinical Practice II: Mild to Moderate Support Needs	2
Total Units		34

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These courses must be completed prior to beginning clinical practice.

NOTE: A maximum of 9 units may be taken per 8-week session. Completion of all credential requirements—including all examinations, coursework, and other requirements—must be met before the candidate will be recommended for a credential. Candidates should meet with their credential analyst for information regarding the credential application process.

NOTE:  Candidates who hold an intern credential must enroll in a candidate support and supervision course (SPED 500) during each 8-week session (fall or spring) in which they are not enrolled in a clinical practice course.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to submit a credential application through the Office of Credentials upon completion of a credential program to receive his/her California educator credential. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:

1. Engage and support all students in learning.
2. Create and maintain effective environments for student learning.
3. Understand and organize subject matter for student learning.
4. Plan instruction and design learning experiences for all students.
5. Assess student learning.
6. Develop as a professional educator.