Curriculum
General Information l Admissions Process | Tuition, Fees, and Scholarship
Overview
Our MA, Special Education + Credential allows students to obtain a masters and special education credential in just twelve months by offering classes during our summer sessions. Candidates take summer courses at the beginning of their program, to become eligible for a paid teaching internship, as the teacher of record in the fall. During fall and spring semesters, they are enrolled in night classes that are two to three nights per week. The following summer candidates enroll in five more weeks of summer courses completing their 12-month program. We also provide the option of completing the program over two years.
Our courses are designed to be hands-on, interactive and to address the real-world needs of students in our local K-12 schools. Throughout the program, candidates learn and apply behavioral and classroom management strategies, academic and pedagogy approaches, and varied supports for diverse learners pertinent to their continuous experiential learning in the field as an educator.
Interning
Interns are paid teachers of record with their own students and caseload. Most of our master's students pursue this option. With the support of a cohort and placements in diverse schools with outstanding mentor teachers, you'll be ready to inspire and engage K-12 learners. If you do not have a position, the Program Lead provides assistance in preparing intern candidates to apply for positions through edjoin.org.
Student Teaching
Candidates pursuing the student teaching route are carefully placed with a skilled mentor teacher for a semester-long final field experience culminating in teaching independently for several weeks. Candidates will also be provided a university supervisor who will provide them continuous supports in pedagogy, behavior management, lesson plan development, and IEP compliance.
Sequence of Courses
Total Units You must earn a minimum of 32 units
Summer
EDUC 140: Transforming Teaching & Learning
EDUC 259: Teaching English Learners
EDUC 250: Teaching & Assessment
SPED 295E: Positive Behavior Supports
By the end of summer: Need to have CBEST and CSET passed in order to be intern eligible for the fall term
Fall
SPED 224: Assessment of Special Education Students
EDUC 261: Literacy Development
SPED 295A: Seminar: Crucial Issues in Special Education
SPED 166: Building Professional-Family Partnerships
SPED 298M/S: Directed Teaching: Special Education - Internship
Spring
SPED 228M/S: Advanced Programming MM and/or MS
SPED 242M/S: Curriculum & Instruction for MM and/or MS
SPED 298M/S: Directed Teaching: Special Education - Internship
Summer
SPED 231: Evidenced Based Practices for Autism Spectrum Disorders
EDUC 201: Techniques of Research
By the end of summer: Need to have RICA passed in order to be recommended for preliminary credentials
NOTE: Course sequence subject to change
Connect With Us
Register for a Program Event
Get Updates About the Program
Curriculum Questions? Contact Dr. Christina Rusk, crusk@pacific.edu or 209.946.2306
Admissions Process Questions? Contact Morgan Lagomarsino, mlagomarsino1@pacific.edu, 209.946.2677
