National University
School of Education
Department of Special Education

Who help children
•
learn
•
grow
•
succeed and THRIVE
•
Who are valuable assets
•
to the teacher, the
classroom, the
school, the district, and
the local community
Who are rooted in the
•
local community
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Student support in one-
•
on-one
shadowing, tutoring, coac
hing, mentoring, feeding,
holding, containing, etc. in
Special ed classrooms
•
General ed inclusion
•
Teacher support in
•
instructional
delivery, classroom
management, community
liaison
School support during
•
playground, recess, lunch
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in supporting
•
, teaching, encouraging,
and caring for students,
BUT
•
do so under a teacher’s
•
supervision, instruction
and guidance
LEGALLY.
•
You’re like teachers
•
without credentials…
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NCLB requires a teaching license and a Bachelor’s
•
degree
Otherwise it depends on your state!
•
In California, you need
•
A Bachelor’s degree in subject matter
•
• English, Math, Science, Social Sciences are most desired
• Interdisciplinary studies, languages, etc are acceptable
• Some new degree programs combine with a credential
A teaching credential
•
A teaching position (internships available)
•
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Good news (and bad news) is
•
That we have severe and persistent shortage of
•
special education teachers
That you have good chances for job security
•
Special ed services are mandated
•
You’re inoculated against the difficulties of the job
•
You’re generally very dedicated to the children
•
That paras who enter teaching tend to stay
•
That paras bring in the culture, knowledge and
•
concerns of the local community
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There are many program options including
•
Curriculum pathways (current sampling)
•
Certificates
•
• Autism certificate (handout)
• Early Childhood Special Education
Bachelor’s degree programs with credentials
•
• BA with a concentration in Early Childhood
Education
• BA in English with credential (handout)
• BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with credential
(handout)
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Continuation of Curriculum Pathways (current sampling)
•
Master’s degree programs
•
Masters of Arts in Teaching
•
Autism (handout)
•
Best Practices
•
Applied Behavioral Analysis
•
Early Childhood Special Education
•
National Board Certified Teacher Leadership
•
Masters of Sciences in Special Education
•
Deaf and Hard of Hearing with DHH credential (handout)
•
Masters of Education
•
Cross Cultural Teaching with credential
•
Best Practices
•
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Credential offerings (with internship options):
•
CA Mild/Moderate
•
Serves students with mild/moderate disabilities including
•
learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, mild mental
retardation
Meets Resource Specialist Program requirements
•
CA Moderate/Severe
•
Serves students with more profound disabilities or
•
greater level of need; can be pre-academic/life skills
based programs
CA Deaf and Hard of Hearing
•
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There are many instructional delivery options
•
including
Onsite instruction
•
• Traditional face-to-face model
Web-based instruction
•
• Instruction delivered from web to onsite NU centers
Online instruction
•
• Instruction delivered to your desktop at home or work
• Computer access also available at NU regional centers
Hybrid instruction
•
• Uses both onsite and online formats
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Mission Statement:
•
NU is dedicated
to making lifelong
learning
opportunities
accessible, challengi
ng, and relevant to a
diverse student
population
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2008 Factbook (pamphlet)
•
Unique one course a
•
month format
• Year round entry/exit
• Accelerated pace geared
towards the adult learner
• Relevant, up to date
content and delivery
Next Step (pamphlet)
•
Accreditations
•
• Application process
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Financial Aid
•
Federal, state, and local funding sources
•
Grants
•
• California Community College articulation agreement
• Para Pipeline (handout)
• PEBSE (handout)
Library System
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Student Concierge Service
•
Tech Support Center
•
*Recent stimulus bill = your Opportunity!
•
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Quality
•
Access
•
Relevance
•
Accelerated Pace
•
Affordability
•
Community
•
Contact: Joy Kutaka-Kennedy
•
jkutakak@nu.edu
•
408.236.1146
•
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