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Education Specialist Teaching Credential Programs

The Center for Teacher Preparation provides those interested in becoming Education Specialist credentialed educators several pathways and programs to do so. Our programs empower teachers to successfully deliver high-quality, engaging content for all learners through a supportive, team approach with a balance of theoretical and application-based learning experiences. The coursework and practicum are designed for those who are interested in public school employment in the following counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, or Orange.

We are excited to provide a rolling admissions process for an accelerated program that is two years in length. Candidates can start immediately upon securing a job and receive exceptional support to successfully serve their students.

The RCOE School of Education is proud to offer the largest and most comprehensive Education Specialist Credential Programs in the state of California.

Program Overview: Traditional

The Traditional Track is designed for candidates seeking an Education Specialist Teaching Credential in Mild to Moderate Support Needs and/or Extensive Support Needs. This program is four semesters (2 years) in length.

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

Sign up for your Canvas account , then you will be prompted to pay the $100 registration fee. After the registration fee is paid, you will complete the application.

Step 2: Gather the Application Components

BA/BS degree from a regionally accredited university.
Certificate of Clearance (fingerprinting on file with CTC).

Once you have gathered these components, you will be able to schedule your advisement meeting with our credentialing team.

Step 3: Complete Pre-Service Requirements

CTC Subject Matter Competency Requirement.
U.S. Constitution course.
For Traditional Track candidates only: Complete 165 hours of self-paced, pre-service online coursework through the program.
- Note: Traditional Track candidates that complete this coursework are also eligible for a Teaching Permit for Statutory Leave (TPSL).

You can work on these components concurrently. Once completed, you will have the opportunity to meet with a member of our Education Specialist Intern Program team for advisement on resume building and interviewing preparation.

Step 4: Secure Employment

Once you have completed all pre-service requirements, you will be issued an intern eligibility letter to apply for positions.
Use EdJoin to find special education teacher employment opportunities and schedule interviews with public school districts within Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, or Orange Counties.

Step 5: Become an Intern

Remain employed as a special education teacher in a public school district within Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, or Orange Counties for two years under a district internship credential.
- Attend Education Specialist Intern Program online classes for four (4) semesters.
- Once you are officially enrolled as an intern in the program, there is a rolling admissions process for the four-semester accelerated program.

Note: You will complete the Education Specialist Intern Program with a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential. Upon completion, you will have five (5) years to clear the credential through an induction program.

(Subject to change depending on enrollment.)

Program Fees

FEES	COST
Application Fee	$100
Pre-Service Coursework Fee	$900
Program Fee	$10,600 ($2,650/semester)
CTC Fees	$325
Total	$11,925

Program Overview: Advanced

The Advanced Track is for candidates who have a General Education Teaching Credential. The advanced track is two semesters (one year) in length, and requires a Preliminary/Clear Multiple Subject and/or Preliminary/Clear Single Subject Credential to be eligible to participate.

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

Sign up for your Canvas account, then you will be prompted to pay the $100 registration fee. After the registration fee is paid, you will complete the application.
Submit official BA/BS degree from a regionally accredited university.

Step 2: Secure Employment

You will be issued an intern eligibility letter to apply for positions
Use EdJoin to find special education teacher employment opportunities and schedule interviews with public school districts within Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, or Orange Counties.

There are multiple payment options available, including monthly payment plans.

Program Fees

COST	FEES
Application Fee	$100
Program Fee	$5,300 ($2,650/semester)
CTC Fees	$325
Total	$5,725

Please note: All fees are subject to change.

Bridge Authorization Program

The Bridge Program allows current California educators with a teaching position and a clear Education Specialist Teaching Credential to update their credential to the newest authorization. A clear Education Specialist Teaching Credential is required to be eligible for this program.

This semester-long program is fully asynchronous and allows more flexibility in servicing students from TK to age 22.

Application available online: Bridge Program Application

FEES	COST
Program Fee	$425
Total	$425

Please note: All fees are subject to change.

Program Overview: Added Specialty

The Added Specialty Program allows current California educators with a current and valid clear California Education Specialist Credential who want to add either a Mild to Moderate Support Needs or Extensive Support Needs credential authorization to their existing Education Specialist Credential.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the Added Specialty Program are as follows:

You are a practicing special education teacher in a public school setting with a current and valid clear or lifetime California Education Specialist Credential and have completed our Bridge Authorization Program.

*Note: The Bridge Authorization Program is fully asynchronous and self-paced, and costs $425 to complete.
You are a recent graduate of the RCOE School of Education's Education Specialist Intern Program (Cohort E or later - earlier Cohorts need a Clear Credential to apply).
You currently hold a Clear Education Specialist Credential in either Mild Moderate Support Needs or Extensive Support Needs.

Educators are NOT eligible if they are:

Special Education teachers with a preliminary California Education Specialist Teaching Credential (other than Intern completers from Cohort E). Please come back and join us after you complete new teacher induction and earn your clear teaching credential.
Special Education teachers with a Low Incidence Credential (VI, DHH). Please review this website for information about our Education Specialist Intern Program traditional track to earn your preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential.
Teachers with a clear California General Education Teaching Credential. Please review this website for information about our Education Specialist Intern Program advanced track to earn your clear Education Specialist Teaching Credential.

Application

Educators with a current preliminary or clear Education Specialist Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential, or Extensive Support Needs credential do not need to complete the Bridge Authorization and can apply directly to the Added Specialty Program.

The application for the Added Specialty Program is available here.

Courses, Fieldwork, and Units

This program is one semester in length and consists of six (6) classes for a total of six (6) units. Program units will be available to you once you complete the program.
Weekly synchronous class sessions take place on a Wednesday evening during the first half (10 weeks) of the program. For details, please view the sample course schedules:

Cohort 1: October to March

Cohort H3 MMSN Added Specialty 2025-2026 RCOE Intern Class Schedule

Cohort H3 ESN Added Specialty 2025-2026 RCOE Intern Class Schedule

Cohort 2: January to June

Cohort H5 MMSN Added Specialty 2025-2026 RCOE Intern Class Schedule

Cohort H5 ESN Added Specialty 2025-2026 RCOE Intern Class Schedule

Asynchronous fieldwork and clinical practice experiences take place in the second half (10 weeks) of the program, with no weekly synchronous class meetings. Asynchronous work includes course readings, assignments, and classroom observations. Candidates must also plan to spend several hours per week observing classes in their added specialty area in order to complete the required assignments, observations, and fieldwork components. A total of 150 documented hours of fieldwork are required to complete the program.

Note that the fieldwork and clinical practice experiences can be accomplished during a conference period, co-teaching opportunities, and scheduled release time.

Program Fees