Navigation

Special Education

Advisors/Coordinators: Dr. Kathleen Harris and Dr. Michael Ruef

Integrated Education Specialist Level I Mild/Moderate Disabilities/MA in Education with a specialization in Special Education

Key elements of the program include:

• Credential and M.A. - cohort model.
• Required courses offered in late afternoon and/or on weekends.
• Master's core courses provide secondary development of Special Education specialization courses.
• Students start specialization and master's courses in the fall.
• Specialization courses always start with the fall sequence.
• For additional information on the integrated M.A./Education Specialist Credential Program, send an email to sped@calpoly.edu.

HOW TO APPLY

Integrated MA and Credential
CSUMentor Application Deadline: FEBRUARY 1ST (Fall entry only)

Supporting documentation from items 2 through 13 due on or before MARCH 1ST (Fall entry only)

Requirements: Steps 1 & 2 below should be sent to the Cal Poly admissions office. All Other requirements should be sent directly to the special education coordinators. Early admission is possible. Candidates may be admitted conditionally.

1. University Application

Candidates must complete an online application to Cal Poly by the due date specified above for Fall entry. http://www.csumentor.com

2. Academic Achievement
Baccalaureate degree and 3.00 GPA over last 90 quarter (60 semester) units

Complete official transcript must be sent to the Cal Poly Admissions Office immediately after applying through CSU Mentor.
Candidates applying for admission into this combination program must have a GPA of 3.00 for the last 90 quarter units.
Prerequisite courses include: EDUC 310, 440, and 430, or their equivalents (Please see university catalog online for course descriptions). Students may be admitted conditionally and complete prerequisites prior to fall quarter.

3. Passage of California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or CSET Writing Skills Subtest

Candidates applying for admission must submit evidence of having passed the CBEST, which is required for issuance of the credential. For more information, contact: http://www.cbest.nesinc.com

4. Subject Matter Competence
Valid California teaching credential, OR Passage of a California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET)*

Candidates applying for admission must submit evidence of having a valid California Teaching Credential or passed the Multiple Subject CSET, which is required for issuance of the Special Education credential.
For more information about the tests, contact: http://www.cset.nesinc.com.

5. Personal Interest Questionnaire

The questionnaire may be downloaded from this web site

6. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation

These letters must address the applicant's personality and character as well as the applicant's potential as both a graduate student and a Special Education teacher.

7. Orientation Meeting Certificate

Candidates applying must attend a one-hour orientation meeting as a preadmission requirement. Meetings are held at regular intervals on Friday afternoons. See the "Student Meetings" portion of the School of Education (SOE) web site for dates, places, and times of upcoming meetings. Special arrangements will be made for candidates living out of the San Luis Obispo area.

8. Certificate of Clearance

Candidates who do not have a Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential or emergency permit must apply for a Certificate of Clearance (Livescan), which is required for issuance of a credential. A receipt and photocopy of Form 41-LS must be submitted.

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR AN ADMISSION INTERVIEW AFTER APPLICATION PACKETS HAVE BEEN EVALUATED. INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER APPLICATIONS ARE COMPLETE, BUT NO LATER THAN MAY.

9. Interview

Candidates will be contacted by the Special Education Coordinator to arrange an interview after application packets submitted to Cal Poly Admissions have been evaluated.
The purpose of this interview is to identify the candidate's goals and explore the fit between the candidate's goals and the program. This meeting will also serve to determine the candidate's spoken and written English proficiency.

10. Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)*

This test is required for candidates who do not have a Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential and is required for issuance of credential.
Contact: http://www.rica.nesinc.com

11. Early Field Experience with Pupils who have Special Needs and with pupils who are typically developing

The minimum number of hours (45), should be evenly divided between General Education and Special Education field experience.
Short letter(s) verifying experience is sufficient and should be brought to the interview.

12. Provisions and Principles of the U.S. Constitution

This requirement may be met through coursework or examination.
Bring evidence of having met this requirement to the interview.
Transfer coursework must be equivalent to either POLS 112 at Cal Poly or GOV 2 at Cuesta Community College.
An approved American Constitution examination is also offered periodically by Cuesta College: http://academic.cuesta.edu/matric/const_test.htm.

13. Health Clearances

Health clearance for Tuberculosis and Rubella is required before any fieldwork placement can be made and is required for issuance of credential.
Note: Tuberculosis clearance expires every 3 years.
Bring evidence of having met this requirement to the interview.

14. Special Education Address

c/o Dr. Kathleen Harris, kharris@calpoly.edu, or Dr. Michael Ruef, mruef@calpoly.edu, School of Education, Building 02, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

* Contact Coordinator if test results are not obtainable by MARCH 1ST.

Students are counseled and provided with a program plan after admission. Required coursework is described at the Orientation Meeting (see requirement #7).

SPED Program Forms & Documents

• Special Education Applicant Questionnaire
• Autism Inquiry Project Handbook
• School-Based Fieldwork Handbook

Back To Top