Clear Level II Education Specialist Moderate/Severe Disabilities

In California’s credential structure, Level II preparation is intended to enable new teachers to apply their Preliminary Level I preparation to the demands of professional positions while also fostering advanced skills and knowledge. The emphasis of the professional preparation program is to move special educators beyond the functional aspects of teaching to more advanced knowledge and reflective thinking about their roles in providing effective instruction and an environment for student success.

Admission Requirements
All applicants for admission must provide National University with the following documents:

• Formal application to the University
• Valid Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Credential
• Verification from the applicant’s employer that the current position has a probable duration of two years
• Verification that the student has maintained a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for graduate work
• All students must complete a credentials packet and be interviewed by a Credential Advisor within the first 60 days of enrollment.
• All students must enroll in electronic portfolio.

Recommendation for Clear Level II Education Specialist Credentials
In order to be recommended for a California Level II Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, the student must show:

• A minimum of two years of successful, full-time teaching experience in the area on the Preliminary credential in the public schools or private schools of equivalent status, as verified by the applicant’s employer
• Successful completion of the program (coursework and approved non-University activities) for the Level II credential within five years. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
• Successful completion of the exit process with assigned University supervisor, including examination of electronic portfolio and passing grade on exit exam.
• Submission of any required applications and fees.
• Completion of any needed credential clearing courses. All Level II Education Specialist credential candidates are required to have successfully completed coursework in Level I Educational Technology and Health Education, including valid CPR Certification for Infant, Child and Adult. Candidates will be evaluated for these courses. If these classes have been completed in a Level I program or at another university, the student should meet with an admissions or Credential Advisor to submit an online equivalency request.

Scheduling
All courses are scheduled by an advisor. Courses in the Level II program may not be taken concurrently. Instructions for applying for a waiver of EXC 656 are provided in EXC 655A.

Candidates for the Level II Credential must take EXC 655A first and may not begin any of the other Level II courses until EXC 655A is completed. EXC 655B must be taken last.

Candidates in the mild/moderate program may take EXC 656, EXC 657, and EXC 658 in any order. Candidates in the moderate/severe program may take EXC 656, EXC 657, and EXC 659 in any order. Candidates in the deaf and hard-of-hearing program may take EXC 656, EXC 657, and IHD 1203X in any order.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate competence in the application of research methods used with students with moderate/severe disabilities, including critiquing and synthesizing current peer-reviewed educational literature
• Demonstrate competence in designing instruction to meet the needs of students with moderate/severe disabilities, including functional skills and accessing the general curriculum
• Demonstrate an understanding of federal and state laws, legislation, and judicial decisions regarding exceptional individuals
• Demonstrate competence in Positive Behavior Support, including Functional Analysis of Behavior (FBA)
• Demonstrate expertise in the use of adaptive and augmentative technology used with students with moderate/severe disabilities
• Develop skills to become a change agent, advocate for students with moderate/severe disabilities, and assist moderate/severe students in becoming self-determined
• Demonstrate appropriate standards of conduct; practice within legal and ethical parameters
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to actively and creatively support all students in learning
• Demonstrate competence in the ability to apply research methods used with students with moderate/severe disabilities, including professional writing, and the use of technology for research

Requirements

EXC 655A - Professional Induction Seminar Plan (3 quarter units)
EXC 656 - Best Practices Spec Needs Stud

(Students may substitute approved non-University activities for this class. Only full-time faculty members may approve the course equivalence.)

EXC 657 - Comm. Resource & Transition
EXC 659 - Adv. Spc. Moderate/Severe
EXC 655B - Exit Seminar (Portfolio required)
(1.5 quarter units)

Exit Exam
To apply for the credential please refer to “Recommendation for Clear Level II Education Specialist Credential” section of the catalog

Program Information

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Program Locations

• Bakersfield Campus
• Carlsbad Campus
• Costa Mesa Campus
• Fresno Campus
• Los Angeles Campus
• Ontario Campus
• Redding Campus
• Sacramento Campus
• San Jose Campus
• Sherman Oaks Campus
• South Bay Campus
• Stockton Campus