Special Education Teaching Credential Program:
Mild to Moderate Disabilities

Program Information

• Comprehensive special education teacher preparation program
• Combined master's degree and teaching credential
• Authorization to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities from kindergarten through 22 years of age
• Intern option is available

The Basics

Degree: Master of Education in Special Education and Preliminary Education Specialist Credential with Mild to Moderate Authorization

Approximate Time to Completion:

• Full Time: 1.5 years
• Part Time: 1.5 - 2 years
• Estimated time to completion includes summer and intersession coursework, which is not required. Typically, full-time coursework is 9 units per semester and part-time coursework is 6 units per semester.

Units: 41 Graduate Units and 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Class Schedule

Classes typically meet once per week during the late afternoon or evening hours.

Application Deadline

This program admits students for the fall, spring and summer semesters. Click here for application deadline information.

Financial Aid

Click here for information on financial aid.

What can I do with this degree?

The master’s program prepares special education teacher candidates to teach in K-12 schools and other agencies serving individuals with special needs from kindergarten through 22 years of age. Candidates complete specialized coursework related to Mild to Moderate Disabilities across the K-12 spectrum of service delivery. This program prepares candidates to apply to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for the Education Specialist Credential: Mild to Moderate Disabilities, which is required in order to teach in California public schools.

For more program information, visit the department website.

Application Checklist

• The University of San Diego Graduate School Admission Application. This application can be completed online at: www.sandiego.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/application.php
• The application fee of $45. Checks should be made out to the University of San Diego.
• One official sealed transcript from all colleges and universities attended.
• Three professional letters of recommendation from a current supervisor or a professor attesting to both academic and personal skills, and if possible, to teaching abilities.
• The Statement of Purpose. Address each of the following three questions. You do not need to write the 500-word general Statement of Purpose listed on the Graduate Application; please address this prompt instead. Each response has a maximum length of 250 words, for a total maximum length of 750 words for the Statement of Purpose. When writing your response please remember that this is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your writing skills and academic readiness.
  
  • There has been much discussion about an "achievement gap" in K-12 education. What does that mean to you? What do you think are some of the reasons for the gap? What should be the role of a teacher relative to this gap?
    
  • Describe your ideal classroom. How will the teaching and learning in this classroom help to prepare today’s students for an interconnected, global society?
    
  • To become effective educatosr, teachers need to be willing to persevere through challenges and learn from their experiences. Describe a time when you encountered a significant challenge. How did you respond to the challenge? What did you learn from the experience?
• A current resume.
• Score report showing a passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), or a reservation to take the exam at the next available date.
• Score report showing a passing score on the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects, or a reservation to take the exam at the next available date.
• Required documents for international students (if applicable).
• Official score reports for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• Transcript Evaluation Report.
• Certification of Finances Form and required documentation.

Requirements for Admission

Standardized Testing Requirements

• Applicants must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects, or show a copy of a reservation to take the exams at the next available date. Applicants may substitute passing scores on all three subtests of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects and CSET: Writing Skills test for a passing score on the CBEST.

Education Requirements

• Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree prior to beginning the program.
• The minimum cumulative Grade Point Average is 2.75 (on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate coursework.

Credential Requirements

• No credential is required for application to the program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain their Certificate of Clearance from the County Office of Education prior to beginning the program.

Experience Requirements

• Experience in a related field is recommended, but not required for admission.

Interview Requirements

• The most qualified applicants will be invited to an interview.

Requirements for International Applicants

Please note that international applicants must submit additional materials in order to be considered for admission. More information on these requirements is available here.

• A Course-by-Course Transcript Evaluation Report from World Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE). Transcripts issued directly in English by the academic institution are preferred. Otherwise, all transcripts that are not issued in English must be officially translated by an approved agency.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required and may only be waived if English is the applicant’s primary language or if he or she obtained a bachelor’s degree in the U.S., Great Britain, Canada or Australia.
  • TOEFL minimum scores:
    • Internet-based test: 83
    • Computer-based test: 237
    • Paper-based test: 580
  • IELTS minimum score:
    • Band score 7
• Certification of Finances Form and required documentation.

Deadline to Apply

All application materials, including transcripts, test score reports and letters of recommendation, must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by the deadline in order for your application to be considered. The current deadlines for admission to this program can be found here.

Application Status and Decisions

To confirm that application materials have been received or to check the status of your application, please log in to the MySanDiego portal with your applicant log-in or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 619-260-4524. Admissions decision letters are sent via US Mail.

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Send all application materials to:	For questions about this program or the admissions requirements contact:
Office of Graduate Admissions University of San Diego 5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110-2492 Phone: (619) 260-4524 Fax: (619) 260-4158 Email: grads@sandiego.edu	Office of Admissions and Outreach School of Leadership and Education Sciences University of San Diego Mother Rosalie Hill Hall 149 Phone: (619) 260-7988 Email: solesadmissions@sandiego.edu