The Child Development, Special Education ITEP concentration allows students to complete a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies and be recommended for a Preliminary Special Education Credential in four years. This unique program is a collaboration between the Department of Child Development and the Special Education Credential program in the School of Education. The total program is 133 units, which is 13 more than the bachelor’s degree only, but it is specifically designed to be completed in four years.
The Liberal Studies 63-unit core is the same for all Liberal Studies programs offered by Cal Poly Humboldt. Each concentration has very specific requirements. It is essential that students work with major advisors to make the determination of concentration during the students freshmen year. Students apply to the credential program in their third year. Students who are not admitted to the Credential Program or find new career paths can change their major to Child Development and Family Relationships or remain in the Liberal Studies, Child Development Elementary Education Concentration.
Admission Procedure
Students apply for admission to the Liberal Studies: Child Development Elementary Education Concentration. Students must apply during their junior year to take the special education credential courses.
Liberal Studies, Child Development, Special Education ITEP Concentration Admission Requirements
- An overall GPA of 2.67 or above in all baccalaureate course work.
- Junior status (earned 60 semester units)
- Satisfactory completion of all program core courses with a C- or better
- Pass with a C- or better U.S. Constitutions course (PSCI 110 or the U.S. Constitutions Test administered by the County Office of Education.
- Current CPR certification from the American Heart Association Course B or C, American Red Cross Community CPR, or equivalent training in adult, child and infant CPR.
- A Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- Satisfaction of Basic Skills Requirement (details are available on the School of Education website
- Demonstration of Subject Matter Competency (re: CSET Multiple Subjects)
- Complete ITP Admission Process: ITEP Program Application and Interview
Program admission requirements are subject to change based on the latest CTC and/or CSU credential requirements. Please consult the department for the latest information.
Additional Credential Requirements
The following are not program admission requirements, but are credential related requirements. Students will need to:
- Pay professional liability insurance fee, required by the CSU and local school districts prior to student teaching ($20)
- Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
- Pass the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA)