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The Master of Arts in Education: Learning and Teaching Mild to Moderate Support Needs is an innovative program that lets you earn a teaching credential while completing a master’s degree. Designed to prepare you to teach and support students with mild to moderate support needs in TK–12 settings through age 22, this program blends rigorous academic coursework and research-based practices with a focus on educational justice. You will balance coursework with hands-on fieldwork experiences, learning to design and adapt instruction, create positive behavior support plans, and conduct assessments.
With options to complete the program in person at the Redlands campus or online, you can choose the modality that fits your needs. This program will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and guidance needed to foster inclusive, equitable learning environments and meet California's state requirements for the Mild to Moderate Support Needs Preliminary Teaching Credential.
University of Redlands provides small class sizes and one-on-one interaction with faculty, fostering the development of interpersonal skills and overall academic success. School of Education professors care deeply about their students, supporting each individual in reaching their potential.
Students learn in a well-mentored cohort group and receive classroom training and field experiences that accentuate coursework and case studies. This close-knit community setting builds confidence and tactical teaching skills to be compassionate, effective special education teachers. Credential courses are offered in the evenings and online increasing access to this transformative program for students of all backgrounds.
At Redlands, coursework and fieldwork experiences are taken concurrently from the beginning and require you to think critically and reflectively about the theory-to-practice continuum. The curriculum will prepare you to support individuals with the following disabilities:
The program at Redlands culminates in an intensive fieldwork experience in special education, alongside a portfolio presentation that meets California’s Teacher Performance Expectations. Completing the program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher qualifies you for credential recommendation.
To view specific classes, program requirements, and coursework information, visit the current university catalog.
You can choose from three options to fulfill the fieldwork requirement of the program: student teaching, a teaching internship, or a teacher residency. Each option offers hands-on experience and close support as you work toward your California teaching credential.
Student teaching places you in one of our partner school districts, where you will work full time alongside a cooperating teacher for 14 weeks. You will receive guidance from University of Redlands as you develop your classroom management skills and instructional strategies.
A teaching internship allows you to seek a paid, full-time teaching position at a public school district or charter school and assume primary responsibility for a classroom. You will work closely with a district-assigned mentor teacher and a university supervisor from Redlands for at least 14 weeks while in the position. You may be eligible for this immersive option if you have previous teaching experience.
A teacher residency lets you build your teaching experience under the mentorship of an experienced educator for one full academic year. By working alongside your resident mentor teacher, you will apply theory to real-world situations and strengthen your instructional abilities in a supportive environment. Explore the Teacher Residency Program.
The coursework and field experience segments of the program are delivered in a prescribed sequence. Pathways are recommended for timely program completion. Learn more by viewing the pathway for your chosen modality:
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