Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the Special Education Credential program must meet and maintain the following requirements during their program. 

1. GPA Requirement
   Students must receive a grade of “B-” or higher in all program courses.
2. Prerequisite Requirement
   Students must meet the prerequisite requirement by one of the three following options:
   1. Hold a California Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential
   2. Two online graduate courses that can be taken concurrently with Special Education Credential courses:
      • SEED 518 (3 credits)
      • SEED 530 (3 credits; 35 hours of fieldwork or 10 hours for full-time teachers)
   3. The following in-person graduate or undergraduate coursework:
      • SEED 519 (2 credits; 25 hours of fieldwork or 10 hours for full-time teachers) or LEDU 301
      • SEED 526 (3 credits) or LEDU 330
      • SEED 541 (3 credits; 10 hours of fieldwork) or LEDU 341
      • SEED 520 or SEED 525 (3 credits; 35 hours of fieldwork or 10 hours for full-time teachers), or LEDU 420/425
3. RICA State Examination
   Students earning a Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction (Mild/Moderate) Credential must pass the RICA exam by the time they finish their credential program.
4. Basic Skills Requirement
   Students must meet the Basic Skills Requirement to apply for student teaching. 
5. Complete subject matter program or pass subtest of CSET
   To apply for student teaching, students must present evidence of passing all required subtests of the CSET or a letter verifying completion of a state-approved subject matter program.
   
   CSET passage must be in a core subject area: art, English, music, mathematics (including foundational-level), multiple subjects, foreign language, science (including foundational-level), social science.
6. U.S. Constitution Requirement
   To apply for student teaching, the U.S. Constitution requirement must be met by coursework, exam or CSU degree.
   
   • Biola coursework: Earn a “C” or better in HIST 107, HIST 108, HIST 200, YMDT 201, YMDT 220, or POSC 225. Students receiving AP college credit for these courses will also meet this requirement.
   • Transfer coursework: Earn a “C” or better in HIST 107, HIST 108, HIST 200, YMDT 201, YMDT 220, or POSC 225. Students receiving AP college credit for these courses will also meet this requirement.
   • Exam: U.S. Constitution competency exam is available at Biola University in September and January. Exams are also given at other universities, or online through the U.S. Constitution Exam website.
   • Degree: B.A./B.S. degree at a CSU campus (UC degree holders must meet the requirement from either of the two options listed above).
     
7. CPR Certification
   Students must earn their CPR certification during the course of their program (infant, child and adult). American Heart Association or American Red Cross guidelines must be met. No fully online courses accepted.
   
8. TB Test
   Students must submit documentation of tuberculosis (TB) test clearance administered or the TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire three months prior to starting credential coursework.
   
9. Fieldwork Requirement
   The following special education concentration courses have fieldwork requirements that must be met by students:
   
   • SEED 532: 20 hours
   • SEED 562: 10 hours
   • SEED 563: 10 hours
   • SEED 564: 10 hours
   • SEED 580: 10 hours
   • SEED 582: 10 hours
   • SEED 583: 40 hours (10 hours for full-time teachers)

   
   The School of Education will place students taking special education courses with fieldwork. However, the following two steps must be completed every semester:

   1. Complete a Fieldwork Application.
   2. After being notified by email of the assigned placement, contact the principal and cooperating teacher to set up fieldwork schedule.
10. Student Teaching Requirement
    Student teaching is the final set of courses in earning a Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction (Mild/Moderate) Credential. Students will enroll in both SEED 584 and SEED 585 and will have a single 16-week placement in a public school. Biola University supervisors will be assigned to every student teacher.
    
11. Intern Credential Eligibility
    Students will enroll in Intern Support Seminars (SEED 611, 612, 613, 614) each semester they are teaching under the intern credential. By the end of the program, students need to have taken all four seminar courses (12 total credits). Student teaching (SEED 584/585) will not be required in the intern program.
    
    Students will be eligible to be hired under Biola School of Education’s intern credential once the following requirements are met:
    • Prerequisite requirement met (three options)
    • Passed SEED 561
    • Met the U.S. Constitution requirements
    • Met the Basis Skills Requirement
    • Passed required subsets of CSET, possess evidence of completing a subject matter waiver program, or hold a California teaching credential in a core subject area
    • Valid negative TB test or TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire
    • Valid Certificate of Clearance
    • Letter from school/district verifying an offer of employment
12. Applying for California Credential
    Once students have completed all of their Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction (Mild/Moderate) Credential requirements, they must apply through the School of Education in order to be formally recommended for their credential. Students must complete the following steps:
    
    • Meet with a Biola Credential Analyst
      Make an appointment with a credential analyst in the School of Education by calling (562) 903-4843.
    • Bring the following requirements
      1. Application processing fee (check payable to Biola University)
      2. Online application fee to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
      3. Basic Skills Requirement official passing scores
      4. CSET official passing scores in a core subject area, subject matter verification letter, or hold a California teaching credential in a core subject area
      5. RICA official passing scores
      6. U.S. Constitution (official transcripts or scores)
      7. CPR certification
      8. Valid Certificate of Clearance
      9. Official transcripts verifying bachelor's degree and passage of all special education credential coursework (not needed if baccalaureate is from Biola University).
      10. Completed Transition Plan (signed by both applicant & Director).