Education Specialist Credential Program

Notice To Students re: Professional Licensure and Certification. See Graduate Requirements page for more information.

The Education Specialist Credential, with an authorization in either Mild Moderate Support Needs or Extensive Support Needs, prepares candidates for a career in teaching, additional service delivery, implementation of support and leadership roles in special education.

Content courses containing the latest in research and evidence-based practices and fieldwork experiences provide candidates with a wide range of practical methods for enhancing the lives of individuals with exceptional needs, their families and communities. The program provides extensive supervised fieldwork by Cal State East Bay faculty and successful practitioners in settings that are appropriate to a candidate’s professional goals.

While completing the requirements for the Education Specialist credential, candidates will concurrently complete the requirements for the M.S. Special Education program:

Special Education, M.S.: Mild/Moderate Support Needs Concentration

Special Education, M.S.: Extensive Support Needs Concentration

Application to the Education Specialist credential program also constitutes application to the M.S. Special Education master’s program, and acceptance to the Education Specialist credential program also indicates acceptance to the M.S. Special Education master’s program. Students successfully completing the credential program will also earn the associated master’s degree. Students beginning the credential program in Summer or Fall semester will be classified as master’s students in the following Spring semester. Classification as a master’s student may affect a student’s financial aid package. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
Department Application
University Application 
Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA
Statement of Purpose

Current credential students who apply and are accepted to the M.S Special Education program will be classified as master’s students effective the semester of admittance to the master’s program. Students successfully completing the credential program will also earn the associated master’s degree. This classification may affect a student’s financial aid package. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Additional Credential Requirements

Complete the Basic Educational Skills requirement through completion of the California Basic Education Skills Test or other pathway approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).*
Pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (multiple subject or an academic single subject examination) or obtain a waiver for the CSET by completing an approved subject matter preparation program at a CSU. **
Three letters of recommendation.
U.S. Constitution course or exam.
Certificate of Clearance (Life Scan)
Negative tuberculosis test results

* Proof of registration required for admission

**Completion required prior to the beginning of the second year of the program.