Student Program Pathways

Undergraduate Students

You can get a head start by taking special education courses in your concentration that will waive special education credential courses at the graduate level. The Special Education concentration can be taken as a part of the B.A. in Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary, the B.A. in Liberal Studies, Elementary Education, or through the undergraduate Certificate in Special Education.

• The concentration or certificate requires four courses.
• The remaining four courses are completed at the graduate level, along with student teaching or teaching under an intern credential. See Special Education (Mild to Moderate Support Needs) Credential program requirements for additional requirements.

Graduate Students

Biola University’s Special Education (Mild to Moderate Support Needs) Credential program is fully online and can be completed in three to four semesters at the graduate level. You may begin the program in either the fall, spring or summer semester. The Special Education (Mild to Moderate Support Needs) Credential program is a non-degree program unless pursued simultaneously with the M.A. in Teaching, M.A. in Education, and M.S. in Special Education programs.

Special Education Credential Prerequisite Requirement

Graduate 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:
   1. SEED 518 (3 credits)
   2. SEED 530 (3 credits); 30 hours of fieldwork; accommodation will be provided for full time teachers and special education instructional aides)
3. The following in-person graduate or undergraduate coursework:
   1. SEED 519 (2 credits; 15 hours of fieldwork) or LEDU 301
   2. SEED 526 (3 credits) or LEDU 330
   3. SEED 541 (3 credits; 20 hours of fieldwork) or LEDU 341
   4. SEED 520 or SEED 525 (3 credits; 35 hours of fieldwork or 10 hours for full-time teachers), or LEDU 420/425

Special Education Coursework

Undergraduate Students

• LEDU 301: Introduction to Teaching (3); prerequisite
• LEDU 361: Issues in Special Education (3)
• LEDU 362: Assessment and Evaluation of Exceptional Learners (3)
• LEDU 363: Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs in Inclusive Settings (3)
• LEDU 364: Behavior and Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs (3)
• LEDU 369: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)

See the Biola catalog for complete details.

Graduate Students

• SEED 561: Issues in Special Education (3)
• SEED 562: Assessment and Evaluation of Exceptional Learners (3)
• SEED 563: Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs in Inclusive Settings (3)
• SEED 564: Behavior and Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs (3)
• SEED 583: Curriculum Design for Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs (3)
• SEED 532: Diagnosis and Remediation in Reading (3)
• SEED 582: Consultation, Collaboration, and Communication for the Education Specialist (3)
• SEED 580: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (3)

See the Biola catalog for complete details.

Field Experience

Listed below are the courses that require fieldwork hours. Biola will arrange placements for you.

Undergraduate Students

• LEDU 362: Assessment and Evaluation of Exceptional Learners (3 credits) — 15 fieldwork hours
• LEDU 363: Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs in Inclusive Settings (3 credits) — 15 fieldwork hours
• LEDU 364: Behavior and Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs (3 credits) — 15 fieldwork hour
• LEDU 369: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits) — 15 fieldwork hours

See the Biola catalog for complete details.

Graduate Students

• SEED 562: Assessment and Evaluation of Exceptional Learners (3 credits) — 15 fieldwork hours
• SEED 563: Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs in Inclusive Settings (3 credits) — 15 fieldwork hours
• SEED 564: Behavior and Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs (3 credits) — 15 fieldwork hours
• SEED 580: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits) — 15 fieldwork hours
• SEED 532: Diagnosis and Remediation in Reading (3 credits) — 30 fieldwork hours
• SEED 582: Consultation, Collaboration, and Communication for the Education Specialist (3 credits) — 20 fieldwork hours
• SEED 583: Curriculum Design for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3 credits) — 60 fieldwork hours (reduced to 10 hours for full-time teachers)

See the Biola catalog for complete details. Most graduate students work full time and, through permission from their employers, utilize personal or vacation time to arrange for their fieldwork hours in the schools.

Student Teaching or Teaching Under an Intern Credential

At Biola, there are two ways to earn your special education credential at the graduate level.

• Traditional Track

  • The traditional track involves successful completion of prerequisites, online coursework, fieldwork and a student teaching assignment during the final semester of the program. All fieldwork and student teaching placements will be in WASC-accredited public schools. You will be assigned a Biola supervisor. See Special Education (Mild to Moderate Support Needs) Credential program requirements for more details.
    
  • Details:
    • Student teaching is the final course in Biola's Special Education (Mild to Moderate Support Needs) Credential program. If you complete this requirement through the traditional student teaching route, you will enroll in SEED 584 and SEED 585 during your 16-week placement in a single classroom. You will be assigned a master teacher and a Biola supervisor.
      • SEED 584: Student Teaching in Special Education (6)
      • SEED 585: Student Teaching in Special Education (6)
    • You may student teach in either public or non-public schools (but not private schools) in California. Biola will find the student teaching placement for you.

 

• Intern Track

  • The intern track involves successful completion of prerequisites and additional requirements followed by completion of online coursework while you are employed as a full-time special education teacher under our intern credential. See the Special Education (Mild to Moderate Support Needs) Credential program requirements for more details.
  • Details:
    • Instead of student teaching your final semester of the Special Education (Mild to Moderate Support Needs) Credential program, you can teach under an intern credential if you are eligible. Each semester you teach under the intern credential, you will enroll in the intern support seminars. By the end of the program, you will need to have taken all four seminar courses (12 total credits). Student teaching (SEED 584/585) will not be required in the intern credential track.
      
      • SEED 611: Intern Support Seminar I (3)
      • SEED 612: Intern Support Seminar II (3)
      • SEED 613: Intern Support Seminar III (3)
      • SEED 614: Intern Support Seminar IV (3)
    • You have the option to transition from traditional to the intern track at any time if qualifications are met.

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

1. Complete and submit the online application

2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

Official Transcripts

• Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
  • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
  • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
    • Mail transcripts to:
      Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
      13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
• Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like SpanTran (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS). Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

Reference Letters

• Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

Essays

• Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.
  

English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

• Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
  • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
    • TOEFL: minimum score of 100 iBT
    • IELTS: minimum score of 7.5
    • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
  • A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
    • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
    • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
    • Official catalog verification
    • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
  • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
  • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses.
    • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 7.0 / Duolingo 110–124.
    • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.

4. Complete program-specific admissions requirements:

Special Education (Mild/Moderate) Credential

• Verify Certificate of Clearance — If an active California credential is not held — Verify possession of Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Verify Subject Matter Competency — At admission, applicants will need to verify subject matter competency or demonstrate evidence of continuous progress toward meeting the subject matter competency by one of the following:
  • Present a letter verifying completion of a state-approved subject matter waiver program
  • Present evidence of an attempt of at least one subtest of CSET
  • Present proof of enrollment to take the CSET
  • Present proof of enrollment in a CSET preparation course or evidence of purchasing CSET preparation materials
• Meet Basic Skills Requirement (or attempt CBEST) — Attempt the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or have satisfied the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).
• Fieldwork in California — Applicants must have the ability to complete fieldwork in California.

5. Interview with a faculty member

   • After your application and all supplemental application requirements are submitted and approved, you will have a phone/video interview with a faculty member.

 

Things to Note

• Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the online application.
• Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.