M.A. Education: Special Education On-Campus
The M.A. Education: Special Education in California builds on the foundation of the bachelor’s degree students bring with them as well as their professional experience. Students in this master of special education program develop a sophisticated understanding of the social, political, and cultural contexts of child and human development, preparing them to be advocates for democracy, diversity, and inclusion in education at the school, district, and state level. Students who complete this special education master’s program are qualified to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in K-12 settings and to adults through age 22. Please note: All School of Education programs are taught in eight-week sessions: Fall I and II, Spring I and II, Summer 1 and II. All on-campus courses are “blended,” with 30 hours of face-to-face/in class instruction and 15 hours of online instruction.
Other M.A. Education Credentials
Join the Teacher Residency Program!
Pacific Oaks College, in partnership with AchieveKids, is offering its Teacher Residency program with a grant to help students earn a special education master’s degree AND a Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential! Participating organizations include AchieveKids, Beacon School, Campbell Union High School District, Creekside School, Institute for the Redesign of Learning (IRL), Ester B. Clark Schools, and The Help Group.
Through the Teacher Residency Program, students earn a master’s in special education while continuing to work as a para educator at a partner organization or school. The Residency Program includes a mentored clinical experience with increasing levels of responsibility throughout the program. This grant includes direct tuition support along with a special grantee tuition rate at Pacific Oaks College.
For students not in the Teacher Residency Program, Pacific Oaks offers financial aid and flexible payment options. Current tuition information is available through Admissions.
Review the information below to learn more or please contact [email protected].
- Teacher Residency Program Overview
- Teacher Residency FAQ
- Teacher Residency Sample Schedule and Course Sequence
Licensure
The California Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential – Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) qualifies candidates to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in K–12 settings and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22. All California teaching credentials follow a two-tiered process governed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Path to the Education Specialist Teaching Credential in California
Step 1. Complete a CTC-approved preparation program
The Pacific Oaks M.A. in Education: Special Education is a CTC-approved program that satisfies the educational requirements for the Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential. Upon completion, the program recommends graduates to the CTC for credentialing. Source: California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Step 2. Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
Candidates must satisfy California’s Basic Skills Requirement. Senate Bill 153 (2024) expanded pathways; some candidates may satisfy the BSR through a qualifying bachelor’s degree rather than the CBEST exam. Confirm your pathway with Pacific Oaks Admissions.
Step 3. Pass required subject matter exams
Preliminary Education Specialist candidates must pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects (Subtests I, II, and III) with proof of registration due by the end of the second term and satisfy California’s literacy instruction assessment requirements (such as the RICA or newly mandated CTC alternatives).
Step 4. Complete the Preliminary credential period
The Preliminary credential is valid for up to five years. During this period, the credential holder must complete a CTC-approved Induction program to earn the Clear (Level II) Education Specialist credential. More information is available through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
View a Teacher Credential Virtual Information Session Video
Learn about the Teaching Credentialing process for Elementary Education and Special Education teachers in California, and how the B.A., M.A., and Stand-Alone teacher education degree programs at Pacific Oaks College help prepare you to make a difference in the classroom. Hear about our approach to preparing you for your career and the way we support you to become a culturally-minded role model for your students.
Credentials Office
For more information to assist you in your journey to obtain your California Preliminary Teaching Credential, visit the Credentials Office page.
Sample Special Education Courses
SPED 563: Teaching Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities: Creating Inclusive Learning Environments
In this course, Special Education and Multiple Subject credential candidates will explore the impact of various disabilities on development and learning, and how different cultural settings can impact both exceptional groups of learners and students with disabilities. In addition, candidates will learn about the various laws that govern special education and students with disabilities, including the development and implementation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the role of a Case Manager. Emphasis is placed on how to create an inclusive educational environment that benefits all learners in a diverse classroom and school community. Candidates will learn how to collaborate effectively between the General Education and Special Education teachers using Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) principles to plan differentiated instructional strategies, integrate assistive technology when appropriate, and ensure meaningful access to curricula through accommodations and modifications.
SPED 552: Communication and Collaboration: Developing Student, Family, and School Community Partnerships
The SPED 552 course will explore the spectrum of interpersonal and interactive collaboration and communication skills, including problem-solving, empathetic listening, mediation, and conflict resolution. Specifically, candidates will learn how to communicate, collaborate, and consult effectively with students with or without disabilities, their parents or primary caregivers, general and special education teachers, and transdisciplinary Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members. Skills as a Case Manager will be practiced in this course. Also included will be effective communication strategies with IEP team members, counseling strategies, co-teaching techniques, and cross-cultural issues, which are integrated throughout the course. Strategies will be analyzed and evaluated to create a plan which will be reviewed for application to use with students in need of a Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
Admissions Requirements
- Completed Application for Admission
- Application fee
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
- Personal statement
- Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST)
- Proof of registration or payment for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET: Multiple Subjects; i.e., Subtests I, II, and III) with test dates in the first six months of initial enrollment is due by the end the second term from the start date of the program.
- Letter of recommendation required for students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.5
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
For more information about the admissions process for Teacher Credentialing, contact the Credentials Office.
Pacific Oaks College prepares M.A. in Special Education graduates for in-demand careers working with students with mild to moderate disabilities. The data below is drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024.
Salary
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm
Employment Outlook
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. Pacific Oaks College is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions counselor.
What is the focus of the Master’s Degree in Education: Mild/Moderate Special Education program?
The M.A. in Education: Special Education at Pacific Oaks prepares graduates for teaching roles with students with mild to moderate disabilities in California's K–12 public school system and in adult education settings through age 22.
The program develops a sophisticated understanding of the social, political, and cultural contexts of child and human development, and includes coursework in IEP development, case management, inclusive learning environments, family communication, and collaboration across school teams.
Graduates are qualified for the California Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential – Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN), the credential required to teach students with disabilities in California public schools.
How long does it take to complete the special education graduate program?
The program can be completed in 1 1/2 years full-time or 2 1/2 years part-time, requiring 43 credits for completion. All School of Education programs at Pacific Oaks are taught in eight-week sessions (Fall I and II, Spring I and II, Summer I and II), allowing students to progress through the program in a structured sequence while completing fieldwork in real California classrooms.
How much does a master's in special education cost in California?
Tuition for Pacific Oaks' M.A. in Education: Special Education varies and is available through the Admissions office. The program also offers the Teacher Residency Program in partnership with organizations including AchieveKids, Beacon School, and Help Group, which includes direct tuition support and a special grantee tuition rate.
This grant-supported pathway is designed specifically to reduce the cost of earning both a master's degree and a Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential simultaneously. Contact [email protected]for eligibility and current grant availability.
What is the Teacher Residency Program and who is eligible?
The Teacher Residency Program is a grant-supported partnership between Pacific Oaks College and organizations including AchieveKids, Beacon School, Campbell Union High School District, Creekside School, , , and Help Group.
Students in the program earn the M.A. in Education: Special Education while continuing to work as para educators at a partner organization, with a mentored clinical experience and increasing levels of classroom responsibility throughout the program.
The grant includes direct tuition support and a special grantee tuition rate. Eligibility is determined by partner organization employment. Contact [email protected] for current availability.
Can the M.A. Education: Special Education program be completed online?
Yes, the program is offered both on campus in Pasadena and online, providing flexibility for students.
What are the admission requirements for the special education master’s on-campus programs?
Admission requirements include a completed application, a bachelor’s or associate's degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3, a current resume or CV, a personal statement, and at least one letter of recommendation. Additional requirements apply for non-native English speakers.
Does this program qualify me to teach students with mild/moderate disabilities?
Yes. Graduates of the Pacific Oaks M.A. in Education: Special Education who complete the program's credential requirements are qualified to sit for the California Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential – Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN), issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
This credential authorizes teaching students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K–12 and in classes primarily for adults through age 22. The Preliminary credential is valid for five years, during which the holder must complete a CTC-approved Induction program to earn the Clear credential.
What types of fieldwork are involved in this master's degree in special education?
The master of special education program in California combines classroom learning with fieldwork experiences in more than 25 schools, providing practical, hands-on learning.
Are there other credentials offered alongside the special education master’s degree?
Yes, alongside the master’s degree, students can also earn a Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential through the Teacher Residency Program.
What licensure does this special education graduate program provide?
Graduates earn the California Preliminary Education Specialist Credential, qualifying them to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Are there any special programs or grants available for students?
The Teacher Residency Program offers a unique opportunity with a grant to help students earn both a master’s degree and a Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential.
What is the job outlook for special education teachers?
Despite a projected 1% employment decline from 2024 to 2034, about 37,800 openings for special education teachers are projected each year, on average, largely from the need to replace teachers who retire or leave the profession.
The median annual wage for special education teachers was $64,270 in May 2024, with the top 10% earning more than $103,290. California consistently employs one of the highest concentrations of special education teachers in the country.