What is the Preliminary Teaching Credential: Mild to Moderate Support Needs Special Education program?

This program prepares candidates to teach mild to moderate disability special education students in special day classes, special schools, home/hospital settings, correctional facilities, non-public schools and agencies, and resource rooms. 
This rigorous, specialized program emphasizes personal interaction integrated within the theoretical framework of social and educational justice. It finds its firm foundation in the School of Education’s mission to strive for educational equity and access for all students.

Combined coursework and fieldwork experiences are taken concurrently from the beginning of the program and require students to think critically and reflectively about the theory-to-practice continuum. The curriculum prepares candidates to support individuals with the following disabilities:

• Autism
• Deaf-blind
• Emotional disturbance
• Intellectual disability
• Multiple disabilities
• Other health impairment
• Orthopedic impairment
• Specific learning disability
• Traumatic brain injury

Why get your Special Education Credential at Redlands?

The University of Redlands provides small class sizes and one-on-one interaction with faculty, fostering the development of interpersonal skills and overall academic success. School of Education professors care deeply about their students, supporting each individual in reaching their potential.

Students learn in a well-mentored cohort group and receive classroom training and field experiences that accentuate coursework and case studies. This close-knit community setting builds confidence and tactical teaching skills in order to be compassionate, effective special education teachers.

Furthermore, credential courses are offered in the evenings, and online increasing access to this transformative program for students of all backgrounds.

Special Education Teaching Credential Program

• The program consists of 30–33 credit hours.
• Students take two evening courses per week.
• Students participate in 14 weeks of student teaching or a 14-week internship.

Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Teaching with Special Education Credential

• The program consists of 36–39 credit hours.
• Students take two evening courses per week or complete the coursework portion of the program entirely online.
• Students participate in 14 weeks of student teaching or a 14-week internship.
• The program will conclude with a final 14-week master’s seminar course.

Accreditation and Institutional Report Card

The Special Education Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)  Teaching Credential program is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

Review the most recent Title II Annual Institutional report card and passage rates for the various programs offered in the state of California.

Fieldwork options

You can choose from three options to fulfill the fieldwork requirement of the program: student teaching, a teaching internship, or a teacher residency. Each option offers hands-on experience and close support as you work toward your California teaching credential.

Student teaching

Student teaching places you in one of our partner school districts, where you will work full time alongside a cooperating teacher for 14 weeks. You will receive guidance from University of Redlands as you develop your classroom management skills and instructional strategies.

Teaching internship

A teaching internship allows you to seek a paid, full-time teaching position at a public school district or charter school and assume primary responsibility for a classroom. You will work closely with a district-assigned mentor teacher and a university supervisor from Redlands for at least 14 weeks while in the position. You may be eligible for this immersive option if you have previous teaching experience.

Teacher residency

A teacher residency lets you build your teaching experience under the mentorship of an experienced educator for one full academic year. By working alongside your resident mentor teacher, you will apply theory to real-world situations and strengthen your instructional abilities in a supportive environment. Explore the Teacher Residency Program.