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Education Specialist Accelerated Program - ECSE

Earn an Education Specialist Teaching Credential in 12 Months or Less!

Program Overview

The Education Specialist Accelerated Pathway - Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is designed for the  experienced teacher with a Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credential seeking to add an Early Childhood Education Specialist Credential to their educational portfolio. Teachers with special education credentials in other areas of specialization are welcome to apply as well.
This specialization authorizes the holder to conduct assessments, provide instruction, and special education related services to children from birth through kindergarten, with a primary disability of:

Specific learning disabilities
Mild/moderate intellectual disability
Moderate/severe intellectual disability
Traumatic brain injury
Other health impairment
Autism spectrum disorder
Deafness-blindness
Serious emotional disturbance

Program Highlights

This internship-based program offers coursework 100% online.
Cohorts begin each semester in Spring, Summer or Fall.
Interns are assigned a mentor at their school site and a school district support provider.
The program can be completed in less than 12 months and leads to a recommendation for a California Preliminary Teaching Credential.

Cohorts & Schedule

FALL 2026 COHORT:

Final deadline to apply: August 10, 2026
Orientation: August 1, 2026
Classes officially start: August 17, 2026

Notes: Dates are subject to change.

Tuition and Fees

Program cost: $11,000 - $13,000 in most cases, depending on how many units you have to take. The price per unit is $500.
Non-refundable application fee: $75

Required Coursework

The coursework provides a comprehensive foundation to prepare educators to work with children from birth to kindergarten, offering specialized instruction and support to meet developmental and learning needs in early childhood settings.

There are three cohort entry points (Spring, Summer, and Fall) into the program, each year. Each of them has a specific course sequence recommended and linked to it.

We want to emphasize the importance of taking your courses in the sequence designed by the program, because this sequence has been carefully developed to ensure your success and readiness as an educator.

ECSE Accelerated Program - Course Sequence FALL 2026 Cohort

For questions about previous cohorts' course sequences, please contact your advisor.

Required Fieldwork/Internship

Internship with a school district is required.

Internship Eligibility Requirements:

Clear Credential
Verification of Employment (VOE): Signed letter from your school district confirming full-time teaching in the appropriate specialization classroom.

An Internship Eligibility Letter will be issued upon meeting requirements.

Who Are the Best Candidates for This Program?

Any experienced teacher who already holds a Clear Teaching Credential and wants to add an Extensive Mild to Moderate Support Needs (ESN) Special Education Credential to their portfolio.
Teachers who hold a Preliminary Teaching Credential and have at least two years of exemplary teaching experience and want to add a Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) special education credential.

Why Choose Our Online Teaching Credential Program?

Designed for the Working Professional: Enjoy the flexibility of our online program, with evening and weekend classes designed to fit your busy schedule.
Established and Trusted Program: Join the hundreds of educators who have successfully earned their teaching credentials through our program.
Expert Faculty and Coaches: Learn from experienced faculty, coaches, and mentors who are actively working in the field, bringing real-world expertise to your education.
Flexible Payment Options: Take advantage of customizable payment plans designed to fit your budget.
Lifelong Connections: Build lasting friendships and a strong professional network to support your career journey.
Accelerated Pathway: Can be completed in less than 12 months.

Application Process

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Accelerated Pathway, the applicant must:

Hold a Clear Teaching Credential or a Preliminary Teaching Credential and at least two years of exemplary teaching experience.
Submit a verification of employment as the teacher on record in an Early Childhood Special Education classroom.
Submit a letter of recommendation
Submit a letter of intent

Please keep in mind:

If you enter the accelerated program with a clear credential, you will retain your clear credential.

If you enter with a preliminary credential and have two years of teaching experience, you will receive an additional preliminary credential.

Applying for the Program

Please check out all the mandatory requirements and instructions on the application page from the application portal.

Once you have the documents ready, please create an online profile, if you don't already have one, and complete the online application.

Admission decisions will be communicated via email. Upon acceptance, you will receive instructions on how to register for courses and complete enrollment.Learn More & Apply

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Education Specialist Accelerated Program - ECSE

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Program Overview​

Program Highlights​

Cohorts & Schedule​​

Tuition and Fees​

Required C​ours​​​ework​

​ R​​equired Fieldwork/Internship​

Who Are the Best Candidates for This Program?​