Program Overview
The Education Specialist Accelerated Pathway - Extensive Support Needs (ESN) is designed for the
experienced teacher with a
Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credential seeking to add an
Extensive Support Needs (ESN) 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 prepares candidates to provide specially designed instruction that enable students (TK-22) to access grade-level
California Content Standards in the
Least Restrictive Environment. This support is specifically designed for students with Extensive Support Needs related to one or more of the following disabilities:
-
Autism
- Deafness/blindness
- Emotional disturbance
- Intellectual disability
- Multiple disabilities
- Orthopedic impairment
- Other health impairment
- Specific learning disability
- Traumatic brain injury
The education specialist provides intensive instruction and supports in two or more of the following domains:
academics, communication, gross/fine motor, social-emotional, behavioral, vocational, and
adaptive/daily living skills.
The supports also often include health, movement and sensory support. Extensive Support Needs practices include lower student to educator ratio.
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
SUMMER 2025 COHORT!
- Semester starts: May 3, 2025
FALL 2025 COHORT!
- Deadline to apply: July 28, 2025
- Semester starts: August 19, 2025
Tuition and Fees
- Program cost:
$10,000 - $11,000 in most cases, depending on how many units you have to take. The price per unit is $500.
- Non-refundable application fee: $75
The coursework consists of courses that prepare educators to serve students ages TK-22 with learning disabilities, autism, deaf-blind and similar needs to access grade level standards in the Least Restrictive Environment with a focus on intensive intervention.
There are three cohort entry points into the program. Each of them as 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.
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.
- 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.
-
Designed for the Working Professional: Learn from anywhere with our convenient online format with classes scheduled on evenings and some weekends.
-
Flexible Payment Options: We offer payment plans to fit your budget.
-
Established and Trusted Program: Hundreds of educators have successfully earned their teaching credentials through our program, gaining valuable support from experienced faculty, coaches, and mentors.
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Accelerated Pathway: Can be completed in less than 12 months.
