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.

• Learn More About the SPED Minor

San Francisco State Scholars Program

The San Francisco State Scholars program provides undergraduate students with an accelerated pathway to a graduate degree and credential.  Students in the Special Education SF State Scholars programs pursue a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and credential simultaneously. This program allows students to earn graduate credit while in their junior and/or senior years, reducing the number of semesters required for completion of a master’s degree. For students in this blended program, up to 12 semester units may be double counted for both the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s degree.

• Learn more about the SPED SF State Scholars Program
• SF State Scholars (Blended Bachelor's +Master's) Programs

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.

• Learn more about the Master of Arts in Special Education (M.A.)

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).

Graduate Certificates and Added Authorizations

Graduate Certificates provide supplemental training in a specialized area of interest. 

Graduate Certificates:

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

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.

• Learn more about the Intern Credential

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.

• Learn more about the Joint Doctoral Program