Preliminary Education Specialist Credential
Judith Doktor, Ph.D., Program Director
(650) 508-3627, jdoktor@ndnu.edu
NDNU's Education Specialist Credential program prepares students to teach in special education settings in public and private schools. Mild/Moderate credential holders teach students in Resource Specialist Program classes (K-12) and students in special day classes for learning disabilities. 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 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 Education Specialist 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.
See the NDNU General Catalog for program requirements and course desciptions.
Distinctions
- Students may work toward an Education Specialist Credential at the same time as earning a regular Multiple or Single Subject credential (this requires 37-55 units, depending on previous coursework). Those without a prior credential may earn an Education Specialist Credential (43 units).
- We are currently offering Level II Credential courses.
- By taking additional coursework (which must include the Capstone course), students may qualify for the Master’s degree after earning 46 units. Many of these units are met by completing the Preliminary Credential
- As part of their credential program, it is sometimes possible for education specialist students to complete their fieldwork as a paid intern teacher. Prerequisite coursework and other state and NDNU requirements need to be met in order to secure a California University Internship Credential before beginning any internship in a public school.
- Each course in the program meets once per week in the 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.
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
Lu Chang, Professor of Education and Director, Single Subject Credential Program, at NDNU since 1994
BA, University of International Business and Economics; MA, California State University, Northridge; Ed.D., University of the Pacific
Mary Buckman, Lecturer in Education, at NDNU since 2001
BA, Humboldt State University; MA, San Francisco State University
Ellen Curran-Archbold, Lecturer in Education, at NDNU since 2008
BA, University of Illinois; MA, University of North Carolina; ABD, University of Denver
Margaret Koshland-Crane, Lecturer in Education, Director of Academic Success Center and PASS program, at NDNU since 2003
BS, Boston University; MS, College of New Rochelle; Ed.D., University of San Francisco
Irvin Rollins, Core Faculty in Education, at NDNU since 1979
BA, MA, San Francisco State University; Ed.D., University of San Francisco
Contact
Judith Doktor, Ph.D., Program Director
(650) 508-3627, jdoktor@ndnu.edu
Graduate Admissions
Tel: (800) 263-0545 or (650) 508-3600
Fax: (650) 508-3426
E-mail: grad.admit@ndnu.edu
M-Th 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
F 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.