Programs

Minor in Special Education

The purpose of this minor is to provide undergraduate students with an overview of the field of special education. An interdisciplinary program of required and elective courses ensures that students are exposed to a variety of courses pertaining to disability in our society.

Master of Arts in Special Education (M.A.)

The Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education is a professional degree that emphasizes research and leadership skills within an area in the field of special education. Interest areas include early childhood special education, extensive support needs, mild to moderate support needs, orientation & mobility, and visual impairment.

Graduate Certificates

Graduate Certificates provide supplemental training in a specialized area of interest. Students in a certificate program must hold a master’s degree or are currently enrolled in a graduate-level program within the University.

The Department of Special Education offers graduate certificates in three areas:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Autism Spectrum
• Inclusive Early Childhood Practices

Credentials

The Department of Special Education at SFSU offers post-baccalaureate programs leading to the following credentials:

• Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential (CRS) in Orientation & Mobility
• Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credentials
  • Early Childhood Special Education
  • Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MM) - (formerly Mild Moderate)
  • Extensive Support Needs (ESN) - (formerly Moderate Severe)
  • Visual Impairments (TVI)

Programs in teacher preparation for the Education Specialist Credentials, and the Clinical or Rehabilitative Resource Services (CRS) are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Added Authorizations

• Orthopedically Impaired Added Authorization (OI AA)

The Added Authorizations in Special Education are authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and are designed to provide advanced preparation for credentialed teachers who seek supplementary knowledge and skills, beyond their prerequisite teacher preparation programs.

Intern Credential

An Intern Credential is a temporary license issued by California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) that is valid for two years. The intern credential allows the individual to be employed by a school district or county office of education as the teacher of record.

Joint Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)

San Francisco State University (Graduate College of Education) and the University of California, Berkeley (Graduate School of Education) jointly offer a Ph.D. program in Special Education. The program prepares leaders in research, teaching, administration, advocacy, and supervision for the variety of professional needs facing people with disabilities in today’s diverse and global communities.