Program OverviewThe Special Education Program offers a master’s degree as well as the California Level I Education Specialist

and Level II Professional Education Specialist credentials. Students can earn a master’s degree and/or a

special education teaching credential within two years.

Evening courses are offered to accommodate working students. Courses are scheduled across a fall,

intersession, spring and summer format. Individuals who previously completed approved required

credential or graduate studies courses work with an adviser to create an individually designed 30-unit

master’s degree plan. An individually designed program can include Level II Education Specialist Credential or

courses in another area of specialization.

The combination of theory and practical experience provides graduates with a solid understanding,

knowledge and skill set to function as a highly effective special educator. Candidate competency is

evaluated through a self-reflective and performance-based electronic portfolio. Portfolios are reviewed

at the midpoint and end of degree and/or credential coursework. The special education graduate credentials

and degree are nationally recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and

the Council for Exceptional Children

Distinguishing FeaturesThe School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) endeavors to prepare students for leadership

roles in teaching, counseling and administrative capacities. All of our academic programs are grounded

in a theoretical framework that incorporates teaching, coursework and research in each discipline.

The University of San Diego’s Special Education Program is renowned throughout California, and its

graduates are sought by school districts statewide. Important features of the program include:

• Experiencedfacultymemberswhoenhancethebreadthanddepthofexpertiseagraduate

student develops.

• Individualizedandpersonalizedacademicadvisingforallstudents.

• Smallclasssizes,whichofferstudentsexposuretoevidence-basedstrategies.

•Curriculumdesignedtoaddresstheeducationofindividualswithspecialneedsininclusivesettings.

•Collaborativeandco-teachingbondswithgeneraleducatorsmatchedbyanopportunity

to practice building partnership with parents.

• ThenewSOLESbuilding,whichwillincorporatetechnologicaladvancesandspacetoinvitea

community of learners to partner with faculty and students in a diversely woven setting for

creating visions for tomorrow.

Program CurriculumThe SOLES faculty enrich all programs and course offerings with the values, concepts and themes that

we all believe will help students become ethical, civic-minded and committed leaders in their chosen

fields. The following is a list of the program curricula for those seeking a credential or master’s degree in

this discipline during their matriculations:

Special Education Program: Mild/Moderate Disabilities

For more information, go to www.sandiego.edu/soles/prospective.

For more information about the Special Education Program:

Jerry Ammer, Ph.D. Special Education Program Coordinator Phone: ( 619 ) 260-4292 E-mail: ammer@sandiego.edu

Contact Information

For admissions and general program information:

Office of Outreach and Recruitment Phone: ( 619 ) 260-7988 E-mail: solesgrads@sandiego.edu

Prerequisite or Co-Requisite Coursework Admission RequirementsWhile applicants are evaluated based on a holistic method,

the successful candidate for the program will demonstrate

his or her candidacy in the following manner:

•CompletedUSDapplication,whichcanbesubmitted

online at www.sandiego.edu/admissions/

graduate/applications.php.

• Collegeoruniversitytranscripts.Applicantsmustsubmit

one official sealed transcript from every college or

university attended. It is highly recommended that

applicants order an additional set of official transcripts.

• Threeprofessionallettersofrecommendationsfrom

a current supervisor or a professor attesting to both

academic and personal skills and, if possible, to teaching

abilities. Do not submit personal recommendations.

• Statementofpurposeexplainingreasonsforseeking

the credential and including information on an

applicant’s experience in working with children

or adolescents in school or non-school settings.

• Resume.

•Aliberalstudiesconcentrationinundergraduate

coursework is required.

• Aminimumgradepointaverageof2.75(on a 4.0 scale)

in all undergraduate coursework.

• PassingscoreontheCaliforniaBasicEducationalSkills

Test (CBEST)or photocopy of reservation confirmation

to take CBEST on next available date.

•CaliforniaSubjectExaminationsforTeachers(CSET).

Application deadlines vary by semester and students

should visit www.sandiego.edu/soles/prospective

for the most current deadlines.

EDSP 589 Healthy environments and Inclusive Education (or equivalent ) 3 units

Coursework Complete by Beginning of Second Semester EDU 558XB First and Second Language Development and Structure 3 CEU units or English 318

Level I Education Specialist Credential: Common Coursework ( Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities and Early Childhood Disabilities ) EDSP 570 Assessment in Special Education 3 units

EDSP 571 ManagementBehaviorandInstruction 3 units

EDSP 572 Typical and Atypical Language Development 3 units

EDSP 573 FamilySystemsandCommunity/CulturalResources 3 units

EDSP 579 Cultural, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Special Education 2 units

Level I Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities Coursework

EDSP 574 Characteristics and Needs Mild/Moderate 3 units

EDSP 575 Curriculum and Instruction Mild/Moderate 3 units

Level I Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities Practicum

EDSP 590P Practicum in Special Education Mild/Moderate 6 units

Level I Education Specialist Credential: General Education Coursework ( Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Moderate/Severe Disabilities )

EDUC 583P MethodsofTeachingReadingandLanguageArts 3 units

EDUC 584C Methods of Teaching English Language 3 units and Academic Development

EDUC 575P Elementary Curriculum Methods for Special Educators 3 units

Master’s Degree Course Requirement

EDUC 500 ResearchDesignandMethodology 3 units

Level II Professional Education Specialist Credential: Common Coursework ( Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities and Early Childhood Disabilities )

EDUC 500 ResearchDesignandMethodology 3 units

EDSP 597F FieldBasedResearchinSpecialEducation 1 unit

EDSP 598 EducationSpecialistRolesandResponsibilities 3 units

EDSP 593F FieldBasedInductionPlan 1 unit

Level II Professional Education Specialist Credential: Common Coursework ( Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Moderate/Severe Disabilities )

EDSP 594 AdvancedBehaviorAnalysisandPositiveBehaviorSupports 3 units

EDSP 594F FieldBasedBehaviorAnalysis 1 unit

Level II Professional Education Specialist Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities Coursework

EDSP 596 Assessment for Curriculum Decisions 3 units

EDSP 596F FieldBasedAssessmentforCurriculumDecisions 1 unit