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Special Education
Credential and Master of Arts Degree

Dr. Nicole Ofiesh, Program Director
(650) 508-3627, nofiesh@ndnu.edu

Notre Dame de Namur University has long been recognized for the excellence of our programs in education. Presently NDNU offers five credentials, two certificates and seven master's degrees within the School of Education and Leadership. Many of our alumni are active teachers and administrators in San Mateo County and throughout the Peninsula. Personalized attention and individualized counseling for students, field orientation of programs, and successful placement of credential graduates have characterized the teacher education program since its inception in 1953. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has established credential reciprocity with most states. In 1999 the Education Department received the Smithsonian Award for innovation in technology.

NDNU’s Special Education Programs

NDNU’s Special Education Program is designed to train teachers to alleviate the increasing shortage of special education teachers in the State of California. This shortage of special education teachers is so great that districts and county offices of education hire our students as teachers before they have completed their special education credential program. These students/teachers teach on Intern Credentials until they complete their programs at NDNU. More than 95% of our students are working as paid teachers before they finish the credential program.

NDNU's Special Education Credential called an Education Specialist, and Master of Arts in Special Education programs prepare students to teach in special education settings in public and private schools. Mild/Moderate credential holders teach students in Resource Specialist Program classes, students in special day classes for learning disabilities, and some full inclusion students. Moderate/Severe credential holders will be able to teach students in grades K-12 whose needs are more severe. Students may pursue an Education Specialist credential whether or not they have a regular education credential.

NDNU's Level II Education Specialist, Professional Clear Credential program has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentials since the Fall of 2006. 

Distinctions

• Students may work toward an Education Specialist Credential at the same time as earning a regular Multiple or Single Subject credential (this requires 37-51 units, depending on previous coursework). Those without a prior credential may earn an Education SpecialistCredential (46 units).
• By taking one additional course, after the Education Specialist credential requirements have been completed, students may qualify for the Master's degree.
• While pursuing the credential, it is possible for students to work while they learn by interning in schools as a paid teacher, after 1-2 semesters of coursework and the successful passage of the CBEST and CSET Multiple Subjects test.Other state requirements apply.
• Each course in the program meets once per week late afternoons and evenings. Summer courses meet two times per week.
• A program plan is arranged for each student when he or she meets with the program director.

Curriculum: Special Education Credential, Level I

• Total of 29 units
• Student/Intern Teaching and Seminar in Special Education
• Clinical Assessment
• Technology (Special Education)
• Elementary Reading/Language Arts: Primary Grades
• Counseling (Special Education)
• Strategies for English Learners
• Special Education Program Management
• Curriculum and Instruction Adaptations (Mild/Moderate)
  or
• Curriculum and Instruction Adaptations (Moderate/Severe)
• And additional coursework for those who enter without a prior credential, including foundation courses and experiences with regular education

Curriculum: Special Education Credential, Level II

• Total of 8 units
• Emerging Research and Practice in Special Education
• Health Education
• Advanced Methods (Mild/Moderate)
• Advanced Methods (Moderate/Severe)

Curriculum: Master of Arts in Special Education

• Total of 32 units for students who possess a prior credential; 46 for those who enter without a prior credential
• Coursework required for the Special Education Credential
• Educational Research Capstone

Full course and program descriptions are available in the NDNU Catalog.

Admission Process

NDNU admits students throughout the year for fall, spring, and summer semesters.  Please review the NDNU General Catalog for complete admission requirements.

Faculty

Susan Bedford, MA, San Jose State University; Lecturer

Mary Buckman, MA, San Francisco State University; Lecturer

Lu Chang, Ed.D., University of the Pacific; Professor and Chair, Department of Teacher Education

Brenda Davis, MA, Notre Dame de Namur University; Lecturer

Ed Emling, Ph.D., California Western University; Lecturer

Anabel Jensen, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley; Associate Professor

Barbara Kammerlohr, Ed.D., University of Illinois; Assistant Professor and Director, Special Education Program

Kate Livingston, MA, San Francisco State University; Lecturer
Irvin Rollins, Ed.D., University of San Francisco; Senior Lecturer and Supervisor

Brittany Stevens, MA, Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University; Lecturer

NDNU’s School of Education and Leadership

Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, NDNU is a multifaceted university offering four bachelor degrees and over 15 graduate degrees and certificates. The School of Education and Leadership, under the direction of the Dean, Dr. Joanne Rossi, offers bachelor's degrees in liberal studies and human services in addition to education credentials, certificates, and master's degrees. The credential programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). The program was reaccredited in 1998.

Contact:

Dr. Barbara Kammerlohr, Program Director
(650) 508-3627, bkammerlohr@ndnu.edu

Graduate Admissions
Ralston Hall
Tel: (650) 508-3600
Fax: (650) 508-3426
E-mail: grad.admit@ndnu.edu
M – Th 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
F 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.