Education Specialist Credential Program Overview

The program provides a specialized education specialist teaching credential, tackling the continuous demand for qualified special education teachers. The designed degree program aims to prepare you for a role as a special education specialist in PK-12 classrooms and instructional settings for individuals up to age 22. 

Certified as a special education teacher, you will receive training to deliver life skills and foundational literacy, facilitating your students in reaching their maximum potential. This pivotal role situates you as a crucial ally to special education students with mild-to-moderate disabilities and their families. 

Education Specialist Program Highlights

CTC Accreditation

The education specialist credential program holds approval from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). It guides you through coursework and instruction styles, preparing you to work effectively as a special education teacher for diverse students with special needs. Teaching credential holders commonly instruct students at early childhood, elementary, middle, and secondary levels.

Field Experience

Throughout the special education credential program, you will engage in one of two tracks: the student-teaching track or the intern track. This hands-on experience prepares you to emerge as a leader in the classroom from graduation onward.

Make a Meaningful Difference

In the special education program, you will acquire the skills to teach students with disabilities, assisting them in overcoming classroom challenges. The program guides professionals in showing students how to navigate their educational paths and develop life skills that will benefit them for years.

Admissions

Learn About Admissions Requirements

Faculty

Get to Know Our Diverse Faculty

Degree Information

Ways to Earn Your Preliminary Special Education Credential Online Program

If the journey to the classroom is about learning in unique ways and recognizing this diversity, our online special education credential program offers two paths to success. In collaboration with our partners with schools in the surrounding area, we are committed to assisting you in networking and securing the optimal placement aligned with your future aspirations.

Student Teaching Track:

In this teacher education track, participants, whether prospective educators or teacher candidates, will complete two eight-week terms of unpaid student teaching placement guided by a cooperating teacher. 

Standard Intern Teaching:

Tailored for candidates wanting to enter the special education program as a Teacher of Record , this option is open to all candidates, regardless of experience level. The initial class provides essential tools and knowledge for success in the internship.

The Master Plan

Often, significant growth results from small leaps. Enroll in our online Master of Arts in Education with Teaching Emphasis program to take that leap.

How it Works: As a candidate in the preliminary online education specialist instruction credential teaching program, only three additional courses are needed to earn the MAE in teaching. This efficiency is possible because special education coursework can be applied to the master’s degree, and all MAE courses are conducted online.

Why it Works: A master’s degree empowers teacher candidates and future educators to develop expertise in teaching and theory applicable in the classroom. With both a master’s degree and a teacher credentialing certificate, broader career options become available.

Step-by-Step Pathway to a California Preliminary Education Specialist Credential

At the Alliant International University School of Education, our teaching credential program is designed to guide each applicant step-by-step toward earning a California Preliminary Education Specialist credential in Mild to Moderate Disabilities. From your first credential courses to final clinical practice, you’ll build the skills needed to support students with mild to moderate support needs across diverse k-12 learning environments.

1. Meet Admission & Subject Matter Requirements

Applicants must hold a degree from a regionally accredited institution and demonstrate subject matter competency through an approved subject matter preparation program or equivalent pathway. This ensures you’re fully prepared for teaching and learning in both special education and general education settings.

2. Begin Your Credential Coursework

Your coursework within the education department focuses on:

• Instruction for students with mild to moderate disabilities
• Education technology
• Teaching in inclusive settings
• Methods to support students across K–12, including elementary education foundations

3. Complete Program Requirements

Successful completion of this program includes:

• All required credential courses
• Supervised fieldwork in inclusive and specialized learning environments
• Demonstrated ability to support students with mild to moderate support needs

All program requirements must be completed to qualify for recommendation.

4. Earn Your Credential

Upon successful completion, you can earn the California Preliminary Education Specialist Credential (Mild to Moderate Support Needs). This credential authorizes you to:

• Teach students with mild to moderate disabilities
• Work across K–12 settings, including general education and special day classes
• Provide targeted instruction and behavior support in inclusive environments

5. Expand Your Career Opportunities

Graduates of the online special education credential may also pursue additional authorizations, such as the moderate support needs credential or extensive support needs credential, or even add a single subject credential to broaden teaching opportunities.

Links and Downloads

School Performance Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

What Scholarship and Financial Aid Options are available?

Private and public scholarships are available to help offset the cost of education at Alliant, and institutional scholarships are offered to many candidates. Additional financial aid options, including loans, grants, federal work-study, and military aid, are available for those who qualify. Further details can be found in our Financial Options Guide.

Are there Grant Options?

Several grant options are available for eligible candidates, including the Alliant Pathway to Teaching Grant, CSAC – Golden State Teacher Grant Program (ca.gov), TEACH Grants | Federal Student Aid, and Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program (ca.gov)

Does graduation from this program prepare me for licensure exams?

This program thoroughly prepares candidates for teacher licensure exams, including the Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK), CSET, and TPA exams. You will undergo a teaching performance assessment, a crucial step toward earning your California teaching credential.

When does the program start?

The credential is an eight-week term program and is open for enrollment during each of those respective enrollment periods. You can find a copy of our eight-week term academic calendar here.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The preliminary special education teaching credential is a 27-credit program and takes a minimum of one year to complete, over five terms.

What types of internships are integrated into the early childhood special education program?

The first two terms of in-classroom monitoring require guided classroom observations. This is followed by “Student Teaching,” where you slowly take on the roles and responsibilities of a special early childhood education Teacher-of-Record (TOR). You gain practical knowledge in catering to students with mild/moderate disabilities and those with extensive support needs. 

Why Pursue a Special Education Certification

Among the common reasons why professionals apply for the certification are the job opportunities available in this high-demand field, the career and professional development it offers, the increased knowledge and skills useful across other areas of education, and sense of fulfillment in making a difference in the lives of the students with unique needs.

Does Alliant offer methodology courses so that I can add a teaching or content area to my teaching credential?

No, Alliant only offers full teacher preparation programs.