the special education program
At the Saint Mary’s College Special Education Program we offer a personalized, professional course of study in teaching individuals with exceptional needs. Our curriculum is steeped in current research and integrates theory with experiential learning and field-based activities. If you're new to the field we'll prepare you for a career teaching children with disabilities, and if you're already working in special education settings we'll strengthen the skills you already possess. Either way we'll give you the tools necessary to address the needs of today's diverse student population.
The Program offers a specialization in Mild/Moderate Disabilities. A vital component of the training is field experience. Four units of Student Teaching I and (7) units of Student Teaching II are required. Student teaching occurs at both the elementary and secondary levels. Student Teaching I requires (90) hours of classroom experience. Student Teaching II requires (200) hours. Fulfillment of both requirements may be accomplished in one semester with (6) weeks at the elementary level and (6) weeks at the secondary level. Candidates may be placed in a classroom with a cooperating teacher of their choice or may receive supervision while actually teaching. Supervision of student teaching is provided by a faculty member of the Kalmanovitz School of Education.
Required Tests/Assessments: Multiple Subject credentials require a passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment Test (RICA). Credential candidates must also establish subject matter competence by passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).
State of California Clearance Requirement: It is a requirement by state law that every participant in a basic credential program undergoes a moral fitness/fingerprint clearance check by the California Commission onn Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Before being officially admitted to the Single Subject credential preparation program, you must have applied for and paid for a Certificate of Clearance to be issued by the CTC. That means you have done a live scan for CTC, turned the live scan in to the Credential Analyst so he can recommend you for a Certificate of Clearance, and then paid for the document in response to the recommendation. If you do not answer yes to one of the fitness questions, the document is usually issued in 1-3 days after payment. If a yes answer is supplied, clearance can take up to 6 months or more. The document must be issued prior to the start of any student teaching.
