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Special Education

The School of Education has a variety of options for people seeking a career in Special Education with Mild to Moderate and Extensive Support Needs Education Specialist Instruction Credentials.

All credentials authorize instruction of English learners (ELA, former CLAD). Education Specialist program options approved by the university and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) are briefly described here.

If you do not have any teacher credentials, the Education Specialist Concurrent Program is the program for you! If you already hold a Multiple Subject or other credential, the Education Specialist Add-On Program would be your best option!  

All Education Specialist programs provides the option to obtain a Master of Arts in Special Education degree. See the Master of Arts in Special Education program description for  courses, and clinical practice that may be applied toward the master’s degree.

The Preliminary Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes instruction of students with mild to moderate support needs with a primary disability of

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder,
  • Emotional Disturbance,
  • Intellectual Disability,
  • Multiple Disabilities,
  • Orthopedic Impairment,
  • Other Health Impairment (e.g. Attention Deficit Disorder),
  • Specific Learning Disability, or
  • Traumatic Brain Injury.

The Preliminary Extensive Support Needs Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes instruction of students with extensive support needs with a primary disability of

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder,
  • Deaf-Blindness,
  • Emotional Disturbance,
  • Intellectual Disability,
  • Multiple Disabilities,
  • Orthopedic Impairment,
  • Other Health Impairment (e.g. Attention Deficit Disorder),
  • Specific Learning Disability, or
  • Traumatic Brain Injury.

Education Specialist Concurrent Program

  • Courses

    Year 1:

    Fall Semester (Focus on Multiple Subject Credential and Early Special Education Experiences)

    EDMX 511 Elementary Teaching & Learning I for Ed. Specialists (3 units)
    EDMX 521 Elementary Literacy for Education Specialists (3 units)
    EDMX 543 Mathematics Education in Inclusive Classrooms (3 units)
    EDMS 555 Elementary Multilingual Education (3 units)
    EDMX 570 Clinical Practice: Elementary & Special Settings (6 units)

    EDMX 590A CalTPA Performance Cycle I (1 unit)

    Breadth of Experience Requirement (Early Special Education Experiences) 

    Spring Semester (Focus on Multiple Subject Credential + 1 SPED 600 level course, Early Special Education Experiences)

    EDMX 512 Elementary Teaching & Learning II for Ed. Specialists (3 units)
    EDMS 544 Social Studies Education in Elementary Schools (3 units)
    EDMS 545 Elementary Science Education (3 units)
    EDMX 622 Literacy for Education Specialists (4 units)
    EDMX 571 Clinical Practice Multiple Subject II (7 units)

    EDUC590B CalTPA Performance Cycle II (1 unit)

    Year 2:

    Fall Semester (Educational Specialist Credentials - MMSN and ESN)

    EDMX630 Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Their Families (3 Units)

    EDMX 627 Assessment for Planning & Instruction (3 units)
    EDMX 631 Foundations in Law, Ethics, & Procedures of Special Education
    EDMX 575 Transition Development Plan Seminar (2 units ) (needed for MMSN) 

    EDMX 572 Education Specialist - Clinical Practice: Special Education Setting (7 units) (needed for MMSN)

    Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN

    Spring Semester (Education Specialist Credentials - MMSN and ESN)  

    EDMX632 Instructional and Assistive Technology (3 Units)

    EDMX633 Creating Accessible Learning Environments (3 units)

    EDMX635 Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Extensive Support Needs (4 units) (needed for ESN)

    EDMX636 Communication and Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units) (needed for ESN)

    EDMX573 Education Specialist - Clinical Practice: Extensive Support Needs (7 units) (needed for ESN) 

    Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN 

    Total Credit Units: 59 

  • Faculty

    Emiliano Ayala

    Dr. Emiliano C. Ayala is a Professor of Special Education for the School of Education at California State University at San Marco. His primary instructional responsibilities include teaching courses in the Education Specialist (special education) credential programs as well as offering doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate courses supporting future California educators. Prior to his faculty appointment, Dr. Ayala served as Dean for the College of Education, Health and Human Services (CEHHS) at California State University San Marcos. In addition, he has served in various faculty and administrative roles at Sonoma State University and Humboldt State University. Dr. Ayala studies, writes, and speaks about the impact of cultural diversity in K-12 education, policy and legal issues in special education, administrative policy and practice in higher education, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in higher education. Dr. Ayala’s professional accomplishments focus on supporting post-secondary students with disabilities. He served as Principle Investigator for EnACT and EnACT~PTD (U.S. Department of Education) and Project Co-Director for Access by Design (National Science Foundation). These federal grants were designed to support professional development activities for faculty and administrators at institutions of higher education with the goal of providing a quality education for postsecondary students with disabilities. 

    E-mail: ecayala@csusm.edu | Phone: (760)750-8512

     

    Rebecca Brooks

    Dr. Rebecca Brooks is an Associate Professor of Education for the School of Education and Program Director for the Aspiring Scholars Program (an inclusive post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities) at California State University at San Marcos. Dr. Brooks has worked with individuals with disabilities in recreational, vocational, residential, and educational settings for over 30 years. Prior to her faculty appointment, she served as a special educator in public schools for 16 years, dedicating her career to including students with disabilities in general education settings. She developed peer tutoring programs and focused on creating accessible curriculum for all students. Her published works have been in the areas of inclusive education, curriculum adaptations, and peer tutoring. She is a nationwide presenter and consultant in the area of effective inclusive schooling practices. Her research interests focus on access to general education curriculum, accommodations and modifications, the development and implementation of peer tutoring support systems, and inclusive post-secondary education programs. 

    E-mail: rbrooks@csusm.edu | Phone: (760) 750-8506

    Jodi Robledo

    Dr. Jodi Robledo is a Professor in Special Education at California State University, San Marcos and serves as the Program Coordinator of the Education Specialist Credential Programs and Master’s Degree option. She is also the Program Director for the Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate of Advanced Study and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Added Authorization. Dr. Robledo also teaches courses in the Speech and Language Pathology Department. Prior to this appointment, she was K-12 Autism Specialist and Education Specialist in an urban multicultural school district. Dr. Robledo currently teaches courses with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, supporting individuals with moderate/severe disabilities, and inclusive education. She has joint referred journal publications, several book chapters, and numerous national conference presentations. Her research interests focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, supportive relationships, sensory and movement differences, building self-advocacy skills in youth with ASD, and inclusive education.

    E-mail: jrobledo@csusm.edu | Phone: (760) 750-4317


Education Specialist Add On Program

  • Courses

    Fall Semester (Educational Specialist Credentials - MMSN and ESN)

    EDMX 630 Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Their Families (3 units)
    EDMX 627 Assessment for Planning and Instruction (3 units)
    EDMX 631 Foundations in Law, Ethics, and Procedures of Special Education (3 units)
    EDMX 575 Transition Development Plan Seminar (2 units) (MMSN only)
    EDMX 572 Education Specialist-Clinical Practice: Special Education Setting (7 units) (MMSN only)

    Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN  

    Spring Semester (Education Specialist Credentials - MMSN and ESN)

    EDMX 632 Instructional and Assistive Technology (3 units)
    EDMX 633 Creating Accessible Learning Environments (3 units)
    EDMX 622 Literacy for Education Specialists (4 units)
    EDMX 635 Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Extensive Support Needs (4 units) (for those seeking ESN) 

    EDMX 636 Communication and Positive Behavioral Supports (4 units) (ESN only) 

    EDMX573 Education Specialist - Clinical Practice: Extensive Support Needs (7 units) (ESN only) 

    Internship Options available for both MMSN and ESN 

     Total Credit Units: 59 

  • Faculty

    Emiliano Ayala

    Dr. Emiliano C. Ayala is a Professor of Special Education for the School of Education at California State University at San Marco. His primary instructional responsibilities include teaching courses in the Education Specialist (special education) credential programs as well as offering doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate courses supporting future California educators. Prior to his faculty appointment, Dr. Ayala served as Dean for the College of Education, Health and Human Services (CEHHS) at California State University San Marcos. In addition, he has served in various faculty and administrative roles at Sonoma State University and Humboldt State University. Dr. Ayala studies, writes, and speaks about the impact of cultural diversity in K-12 education, policy and legal issues in special education, administrative policy and practice in higher education, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in higher education. Dr. Ayala’s professional accomplishments focus on supporting post-secondary students with disabilities. He served as Principle Investigator for EnACT and EnACT~PTD (U.S. Department of Education) and Project Co-Director for Access by Design (National Science Foundation). These federal grants were designed to support professional development activities for faculty and administrators at institutions of higher education with the goal of providing a quality education for postsecondary students with disabilities. 

    E-mail: ecayala@csusm.edu | Phone: (760)750-8512

     

    Rebecca Brooks

    Dr. Rebecca Brooks is an Associate Professor of Education for the School of Education and Program Director for the Aspiring Scholars Program (an inclusive post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities) at California State University at San Marcos. Dr. Brooks has worked with individuals with disabilities in recreational, vocational, residential, and educational settings for over 30 years. Prior to her faculty appointment, she served as a special educator in public schools for 16 years, dedicating her career to including students with disabilities in general education settings. She developed peer tutoring programs and focused on creating accessible curriculum for all students. Her published works have been in the areas of inclusive education, curriculum adaptations, and peer tutoring. She is a nationwide presenter and consultant in the area of effective inclusive schooling practices. Her research interests focus on access to general education curriculum, accommodations and modifications, the development and implementation of peer tutoring support systems, and inclusive post-secondary education programs. 

    E-mail: rbrooks@csusm.edu | Phone: (760) 750-8506

    Jodi Robledo

    Dr. Jodi Robledo is a Professor in Special Education at California State University, San Marcos and serves as the Program Coordinator of the Education Specialist Credential Programs and Master’s Degree option. She is also the Program Director for the Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate of Advanced Study and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Added Authorization. Dr. Robledo also teaches courses in the Speech and Language Pathology Department. Prior to this appointment, she was K-12 Autism Specialist and Education Specialist in an urban multicultural school district. Dr. Robledo currently teaches courses with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, supporting individuals with moderate/severe disabilities, and inclusive education. She has joint referred journal publications, several book chapters, and numerous national conference presentations. Her research interests focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, supportive relationships, sensory and movement differences, building self-advocacy skills in youth with ASD, and inclusive education.

    E-mail: jrobledo@csusm.edu | Phone: (760) 750-4317