Preliminary Level I
Point Loma Nazarene University is fully committed to strategically preparing teachers to serve and support students with special needs in K-12 classrooms. The School of Education offers two key types of special education credentials:
A special education credential is obtained with an authorization for specialization in either mild/moderate disabilities or moderate/severe disabilities.
- An authorization for mild/moderate is related to services for individuals with a primary disability of specific learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, mild/moderate mental retardation, other health impaired, and autism spectrum disorders within the disability area.
- An authorization for moderate/severe is related to services for individuals with a primary disability for autism, moderate/severe mental retardation, emotional disturbance, deaf-blind, and multiple disabilities.
- The distinction between the two authorizations has to do with the complexity of the individual student’s needs and curriculum requirements. In either case, the continuum of program options is the same and expectations of the teacher to conduct assessments, provide instruction, and special education related services is also the same.
The School of Education offers a specially designed Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)* degree that includes the Education Specialist teaching credential with either the Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe authorization.
The MAT is offered to candidates with a bachelor's degree in two phases:
(1) Phase 1 consists of 13 hours of common courses, 16 hours of Mild/Moderate or Moderate severe authorization courses and 10 hours of fieldwork/clinical practice for Education Specialist candidates culminating in a preliminary teaching credential (39 hours). Candidates have the option of completing phase I and are not required to finish phase 2 of the MAT degree.
(2) Phase 2 occurs after a candidate has earned the preliminary credential and is advised to obtain their first teaching position before completing the MAT* coursework in accordance with local employment conditions and hiring preferences. The finishing courses in phase 2 would be 7 hours for Special Education candidates for a total of 47 hours.
Preliminary Credential Level 1 Credential
The preliminary Level I special education teaching credential (39-41 units) prepares entry level special education teachers with a rich blend of research-based learning theory and structured opportunities to apply their learning in fieldwork and student teaching experiences in K-12 classrooms supported by expert Point Loma faculty and practicing master teachers.
Point Loma preliminary teaching candidates develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be highly qualified, higher performing educators of noble character in an age of assessment and accountability for student learning.
This credential program is ideal for:
- Undergraduates at Point Loma's main campus aspiring to be special education teachers,
- Post B.A. graduates who sense a "call" to serve students in K-12 classrooms, elementary, middle, high school special education,
- Private school or charter school teachers,
- Working professionals seeking a change of career in education, who have a special interest in serving students with special needs.
Preliminary Level I Mild Moderate Credential
Common Courses required of all Multiple, Single and Special Education preliminary credentials:
- EDU600 Foundations of Education and Learning Theory (3 units)
- EDU600F Fieldwork for Foundations of Education and Learning Theory (.5 unit) This fieldwork course requires 15 clock hours of observation and participation specific to learning theory in a culturally diverse and inclusive school setting.
- EDU601 Language Acquisition and Diverse Populations (3 units)
- EDU601F Fieldwork for Language Acquisition and Diverse Populations (.5 unit) This course requires 15 clock hours of observation and participation specific to culturally and linguistically diverse learners in a culturally diverse and inclusive school setting.
- EDU602 Foundations of Special Education (3 units)
- EDU603 Classroom Assessment and Research Practice (3 units)
TOTAL HOURS IN COMMON COURSES: 13
- EDU610 Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing (3 units)
- EDU610F Fieldwork for Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing (.5 unit) This course requires 15 clock hours of participation in a classroom specific to literacy instruction in a culturally diverse and inclusive school setting. Candidates will work with a small group in the area of literacy under the direction of a cooperating teacher.
- EDU650: Assessment and Services for Students with Disabilities (3 units)
- EDU651: Curricular and Instructional Adaptations for Students with Disabilities (3 units)
- EDU652: Collaboration and Consultation for IEP Implementation, Evaluation, and Program Improvement (3 units)
Candidates in the Mild/Moderate authorization choose either 612 & 612F or 621 & 621F
- EDU612: Differentiated Mathematics Instruction for All Learners (3 units) and
- EDU612F Fieldwork for Differentiated Mathematics Instruction for all Learners (.5 unit) This course requires 15 clock hours of observation and participation specific to math instruction in a culturally diverse and inclusive school setting.
or
- EDU621: General Methods for Secondary Teachers (3 units) and
- EDU621: Fieldwork for General Methods for Secondary Teachers (.5 unit) This fieldwork course requires 15 clock hours of observation and participation specific to content area teaching strategies in a culturally diverse and inclusive school setting.
TOTAL MILD/MODERATE AUTHORIZATION 16 UNITS
Candidates who are not under contract with a School District also take the 10 hours:
- EDU670 Special Education Clinical Practice I (4 units)
- EDU671 Special Education Clinical Practice Seminar I (1 unit)
- EDU674 Special Education Clinical Practice II (4 units)
- EDU675 Special Education Clinical Practice Seminar II (1 unit)
Candidates who are under an Intern contract with a school district also take the following 12 hours:
- EDU648 Intern Support Seminar (.5 for 4 semesters)
- EDU672 Intern Special Education Clinical Practice I (4 units)
- EDU673 Intern Special Education Clinical Practice Seminar I (1 unit)
- EDU676 Intern Special Education Clinical Practice II (4 units)
- EDU677 Intern Special Education Clinical Practice Seminar II (1 unit)
TOTAL Mild/Moderate Authorization 39 units (41 interns)
TO APPLY
:
For additional admissions information, follow instruction on Admissions page .
Arcadia: Daphne Jones Graduate Enrollment Counselor:
daphnejones@pointloma.edu (626) 821-8277
Bakersfield: Stephanie Sheffield, Graduate Enrollment Counselor:
stephaniesheffield@pointloma.edu (661) 377-4721
Inland Empire: Pam Estell, Graduate Enrollment Counselor:
pamestell@pointloma.edu (951) 273-7466
Mission Valley: Amanda Bolton, Graduate Enrollment Counselor:
gradinfo@pointloma.edu (619) 563-2810
Point Loma Undergraduate Campus:
Shirlee Gibbs, shirleegibbs@pointloma.edu (619) 563-2852