Special Education (36 Hours): General Curriculum – California
Educational Requirements
According to the California Department of Education,
The state of California offers the following endorsements.
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California offers Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential.
Additional Requirements (During Degree Program)
- Students will be required to complete the English Learner Authorization (CLAD).
Additional Requirements (After Degree Conferral)
- Please submit all licensure documents (located on the Gate 4 Checklist) to gate4@liberty.edu.
- Gate 4 will complete a College Verification Form which will be used to apply for Virginia licensure.
- Students will need to apply for their Virginia license first.
- After obtaining a Virginia license students can then apply for an California license through reciprocity. Students may be required to pass the California Basic Skills Assessment (CBEST).
Reciprocity
California has a two-tier credential structure. A preliminary credential is the first document issued after an individual meets basic credential requirements. The preliminary credential is issued for a maximum of five years. A clear credential is issued when all credential requirements have been completed. If requirements for the clear credential are not completed before the expiration of the preliminary, the holder will be unable to teach in California’s public schools with that credential until those requirements are met and the document is renewed.
California authorizes special education teaching in elementary, middle, and high schools via the Education Specialist Teaching Credential. This credential is issued in specific specialty areas that align with Federal Disability Categories. If your out-of-state credential was issued in only “Special Education,” or in a specialty area that does not align with a California specialty area, the Commission may issue you a Level I credential in one of these specialty areas: Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, or Early Childhood Special Education.