Resources and Opportunities

Stay on Track in SPED

This page is your go to hub for the resources you will use most as you move from admission to fieldwork to finishing your degree or credential.

Use the Program Handbooks to understand program requirements, policies, and key milestones, then head to Forms and Waivers for the petitions and paperwork that keep you progressing through each stage of your MA and credential pathway. When you are preparing for fieldwork, review the Student Teaching Guidelines so you know what to expect and how placements align with CTC standards. As you near completion, follow the steps for Applying for the Award of the Credential, check details for the SPED Master’s Exam if you are using it as your culminating experience option, and use Steps to Master’s Graduation to finish strong with the Division of Graduate Studies. If you need support along the way, contact the department by email or phone, or submit the Need Assistance form for help. 

Helpful Resources

Program Handbooks provide important tools to guide candidates through the hoops with detailed explanations of program requirements, curriculum, and competencies.  Professional standards are met through completion of courses and field work and consistently strong performance with increasing independence is expected.  In each program area, national and state standards provide targets for professional development for students in each area of Special Education.  Faculty work collaboratively with students to succeed in meeting professional standards through mentorship, feedback and evaluation. Students are responsible to become well acquainted with their specific handbook and program requirements.

Student Handbooks and Advising Manuals for the following programs:

Student Teaching Application Deadline

  • February 13 (Fall semester)
  • September 13 (Spring semester)

Students should plan on completing their student teaching during their last semester in the credential program. Students must have completed all their credential coursework and have no incompletes. Students must be enrolled full-time for a minimum of 12 units during the semester of student teaching. Students must apply for student teaching one semester prior to the semester when they intend to student teach. * Interns must also submit a student teaching application.

Special Education: The Student Teaching Application and program CAP forms must have the faculty advisor signature and each semester or proposed semester should be filled in. Additional requirements are listed below and on the Student Teaching Application. 

** Email complete packets in one email to Steve Macaris at smacaris@sfsu.edu by the due date listed above.

Important Information

* If you hold a credential or permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) make a copy and submit it along with your Student Teaching Application and CAP form in lieu of the documentation below. Valid Multiple-Subject, Single Subject, Education Specialist, and Intern credentials cover all preconditions listed below. Valid Emergency Credentials or Permits cover only the COC and TB requirements.

Student Teaching Backup Documentation

Please provide copies of the following material with your Student Teaching Packet. All items need to be completed or met prior to conducting your student teaching experience. 

  • Basic Skills Requirement (BSR): * (a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution, will automatically satisfy this requirement)
  • Subject Matter Requirement (SMR): Students may take the appropriate California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) exam to meet this requirement. Make certain to take all the applicable subsets in the category you choose. For more information on the tests, go to the CSET website. Students may also be eligible for a waiver. 
  • Certificate of Clearance (COC): Fingerprint Clearance via Live Scan and Commission on Teacher Credentialing online application.
  • Tuberculin Test (TB). Must be done within the two past years. Available at SFSU Health Center.
  • SFSU Unofficial Transcripts 
     

> Student Teacher Stipend Program Information (for Student Teachers) 

Once students complete the coursework and accompanying testing necessary to fullfill their credential requirements for their specific program area, they work with the Credentials Analysts to apply online for the Award of the Credential through the Graduate College of Education's Credential Office.

Award of the Preliminary Credential & CRS Credential

Students need to contact the Credential Analysts in the Credential & Graduate Service Center in Burk Hall 244, phone (415) 405-3594, or email credinfo@sfsu.edu. The application to apply for the award of the credential is now processed online. 

To communicate directly with a Credential Analyst:

  • Students whose last name begins (A-K) should email Myla Adeva at credexit@sfsu.edu
  • Students whose last name begins with (L-Z) should email Claudia Murcia at marxel@sfsu.edu

In addition to coursework, students may also need to meet the following requirements:

  • CPR
  • U.S. Constitution
  • Subject Matter Competency Requirement (SMR)
  • Literacy Requirement – Submit a copy of the official score report. See options below:
    • RICA (available until October 31, 2025), or
    • Foundations of Reading Exam (available beginning July 1, 2025), or
    • 2025–2026 version of the Literacy Cycle (available after September 23, 2025)

Finally, prior to applying for the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential final grades need to be posted and CalTPA exam scores need to have been received.   

NOTE: The Preliminary Education Specialist Credential is valid for five years; refer to your Preliminary Credential document, issued through CTC, for renewal requirements. California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) issues all credentials.

The Department of Special Education Master of Arts (MA) comprehensive exam procedures for Special Education students.

* Note:  This option is not available to students admitted and entering the Special Education Program beginning Fall 2025 and afterwards. Those student will need to take the SPED 890 seminar and option.  

Dates of SPED MA Exam

Spring 2026 Semester
Saturday through Sunday, March 7 - 8 
* Open book and notes format on Canvas beginning 8:00 am on March 7, and closing at 11:59 pm on March 8. 2026. 

Fall 2026 Semester
Saturday through Sunday, October 3 - 4
* Open book and notes format on Canvas beginning 8:00 am on October 3, and closing at 11:59 pm on October 4. 2026. 

Eligibility to take the Special Education Master's Comprehensive Exam

In order to be considered eligible to take the MA Comprehensive Exam, students need an approved Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE or PCE) proposal on file with the Graduate Division, which will be reflected in the Milestones section of the Student Services Center. The ATC and CE must be approved one semester prior to taking the culminating experience. Refer to the Division of Graduate Studies for current student deadlines.

  • Students must enroll in SPED 896EXM. This course has zero units. Returning students who are taking the exam after their grace period has ended must register for EDUC 499 for an additional tuition fee.
  • Students must meet the Pre-admission Writing Assessment (PWA) (also referred to as Written English Proficiency-WEP) requirements to be eligible to take the exam. 

Accommodations

*If accommodations are needed due to a disability, please contact Disability Programs Resource Center (DPRC) to register and establish accommodations. Please note that you are able to begin the registration process with DPRC by completing an online application using myDPRC, a digital database used to manage accommodations for students and professors. 

Study Guides

  • Some program areas provide study guides or hold an advising meeting prior to the examination date. Check with your program advisor.

After the Exam

  • Faculty readers will see only the exam # when evaluating examinations.
  • Examinations will be read and evaluated by a minimum of two faculty members.
  • A third reader will be arranged when exam results from two readers are in doubt or readers request assistance for a final decision.
  • The department will email a letter to each student to report the examination result. Allow 6-8 weeks to receive the results. 
  • Examination results will not be disclosed over the phone or to any other person besides the student.
  • After notification of examination results, students may set up an appointment with their faculty advisor to review the exam results. 
  • Upon successful completion, each examinee is responsible for submitting a Report of Completion (ROC). This will be found in the Student Center under the “To Do” section. This report will be submitted to the Graduate Division to document your culminating experience.
  • Follow the Steps to Graduation with the Division of Graduate Studies.

Upon successful completion of all program coursework, completion of culminating experience and filing appropriate forms, students may apply for graduation with the Division of Graduate Studies.

- Report of Completion
- More Steps to Graduation

Please visit The Division of Graduate Studies for more information.