Department of Special Education

Office: Sweeney Hall 204 (Department of Special Education)

Telephone: 408-924-3700 (Voice); 408-924-3701 (Fax)

Email: specialed@sjsu.edu

Website: www.sjsu.edu/specialed

Professors

Peg Hughes
Hyun-Sook Park

Associate Professor

Lisa Simpson, Department Chair
Andrea Golloher
Saili Kulkarni

Assistant Professors

Sudha Krishnan
Matthew Love

Overview

The SJSU Department of Special Education prepares candidates to be transformative leaders in the field, and lifelong learners who respond to racism, ableism, bigotry, and prejudice in their schools and communities. To this end, we center anti-racist and anti-ableist policies and practices in our teaching, research, and service to disrupt systemic racism that has historically prevented full inclusion and equity for students with disabilities including our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students, staff, and faculty. We engage culturally sustaining pedagogies and the principles of UDL in our coursework and fieldwork, partnering with our local districts to push for the success of students with disabilities in inclusive settings.

The Department of Special Education offers a Master’s of Arts in Special Education as well as three Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credentials: Mild/Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, and Early Childhood Special Education. Students have the option to complete the program as a traditional student, an intern student or as part of a Teacher Residency Program. The SJSU Education Specialist credential programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and students must meet requirements set forth by this agency and the state of California in order to earn a teaching credential, which include meeting testing and fieldwork requirements in addition to SJSU coursework.

Department of Special Education Credential Programs Admission Requirements

CSU Apply application with statement of purpose.
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
Grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 in last 60 units of coursework.
45 hours of Pre-professional experience.
Certificate of Clearance (fingerprint clearance) from California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Two letters of recommendation.
Verification of Basic Skills or the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) - submit by end of first semester in program.
Verification of Subject Matter Competency or California Subject Examination for Teachers - submit by end of first semester in program.

Upon review of submitted document applicants may be called for a department interview. Additional requirements must be met for candidates to be eligible for the Intern Program. Applicants are encouraged to attend a department information session for more information about the application process and program offerings. Students must complete each class with a B or higher and maintain a GPA of 3.0 in the program.

Programs

Undergraduate Minor(s)

Master(s)

Special Education, MA

Certificate(s)

Two types of certificates are available: Advanced Certificates and Basic Certificates . The description of each certificate program identifies the type of certificate.

Theory, Knowledge and Practice about Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate (Not Accepting Students)

Credential(s)

Credentials are primarily granted by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing. This excludes the Credential in Spanish Language Counseling.

Added Authorization(s)

Added Authorizations are granted by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing and extend special authorization to specific audiences.

Early Childhood Special Education Added Authorization (Not Accepting Students)

Spartan Accelerated Graduate Education (SAGE) Scholars

Spartan Accelerated Graduate Education (SAGE) Programs programs are combined bachelor’s and master’s programs at SJSU (per University Policy F19-1). Sometimes they may also satisfy the requirements for a credential. Students in these programs pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously. These program allow students to earn graduate credit while in their junior and/or senior year, reducing the number of semesters required for completion of a master’s degree.

Courses

Special Education