Professional Studies in Education - CSU, Chico

The Level II Education Specialist Credential Program

Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities

• Introduction
• Eligibility
• Program Overview
• How to Apply

Introduction

The CSU, Chico Professional Level II Education Specialist program design fosters collaboration and shares the responsibility among the candidate, the university advisor, and the employer’s representative(s) to develop a level II professional credential induction plan (IIP) for the support and professional development of each beginning teacher. The level II credential induction plan is based on the preliminary induction plan developed in level I. The design of the curriculum at this advanced level further extends the course work and field work that candidates began at the preliminary level and simultaneously addresses the individual needs of the developing professional teacher. This individualized program of studies, including the university- and non-university components, addresses the California State Special Education standards for advanced levels of knowledge and skill appropriate to the credential. It also permits the new educator to explore in depth defined areas of interest.

Eligibility

The CSU, Chico Level II Education Specialist Credential Program is available to holders of the Preliminary Level I Education Specialist Credential. A level II candidate enrolled in the CSU, Chico program, who already possesses a level I credential, has five years to complete the level II preparation program including the individual induction plan. 

Level II candidates must hold a special education teaching position in our service area to attend the CSU, Chico Level II Education Specialist Program. The service area includes school districts and county offices of education in the following counties: Butte, Colusa, Del Norte (moderate/severe only), Glenn, Humboldt (moderate/severe only), Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, and Yuba.

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Program Overview

The Professional Level II Education Specialist Program includes three components:

• The Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program
• CSU, Chico professional level II course work
• Two years of full-time special education teaching experience with the Preliminary Level I Credential

The Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program (BTSA) is an exciting program of support and skill building designed to meet the credentialing needs of beginning teachers.

The goals of the BTSA program include

• Enhance instructional abilities
• Improve working conditions and job satisfaction by reducing professional and geographic isolation
• Recruit and retain the best teachers
• Strengthen communication and working relationship between the K-12 system and teacher training institutions in the region
• Provide the best educational experience for school children

Semester Course Work

The CSU, Chico Professional Level II Program course work begins in the spring semester and continues to the fall semester. This structure allows for a logical scope and sequence of the course work that enhances the professional quality of the instruction being delivered. The Professional Level II program sequence is outlined below.

The Special Education Level II classes are offered either online or as full day seminars.