The District Intern Preliminary Education Specialist Program prepares teachers for the California Preliminary Education Specialist Credential to serve students with mild/moderate support needs (MMSN) and/or extensive support needs (ESN) or students with disabilities from birth to age 5 (ECSE). As a requirement for entry into the program, prospective District Interns must attend a Pre-Service Orientation (160 hours)composed of a curriculum that focuses on individual modules that focus on teaching English Learners, reading and literacy, special education, classroom organization and management, and child development.

Requirements for the CA Preliminary Education Specialist MMSN and ESN Credential include earning passing scores on both Cycles of the California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA) and on the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) by the end of the Program.

Requirements for the CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential include earning passing scores on both Cycles of the California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA) and on the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) by the end of the Program.

CENTSE designation (Credentialed Educators Now Teaching Special Education-MMSN/ESN) must attend a Pre-Service Orientation (80 hours). The curriculum focuses on individual modules that include teaching English Learners, reading and literacy, special education, classroom organization and management, and child development.

The iCAAP Program is tuition-waived for those who serve the district for two additional years after culminating and being recommended for their preliminary credential.

The Preliminary Education Specialist Program incorporates:

• Current theory and practical application in Special Education.
• Examination of Special Education Curriculum and teaching strategies from a pedagogical perspective.
• Our highly-qualified Instructional Faculty delivers research-based courses aligned to the Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs) and LAUSD Initiatives, and are focused on developing each Intern’s classroom instruction and professional practice.
• Individualized Intern Portfolio Practicum is focused on Intern self-reflection. The process is supported by trained Instructional Faculty Lead Mentor (IFLM) coaches. The Portfolio Practicum includes a compilation of evidence indicating growth and development as a professional educator and includes collections of real-time video recordings of the classroom as well as coaching conversations. The intent of the Practicum is to utilize relevant knowledge of students, schools, families, community, and teaching practices to increase the Intern’s effectiveness in the classroom. The end product of the Portfolio Practicum is the Individual Development Plan (IDP) which is then used in the Teacher Induction program. 
• Full-time ongoing support from trained, like-credentialed, experienced Lead Mentors in similar subject areas, Teacher Advisers, and Specialists.

iCAAP offers RICA PREP workshops. Download a RICA Flyer by clicking here

Eligibility Requirements 

Non-Credentialed Teachers Program 

• Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university. 
• Official transcripts reflect a minimum GPA of 2.7. 
• Meet CA Basic Skills Requirement: Basic Skills Requirement (CL-667) (ca.gov) 

• Demonstration of Subject Matter Competence.*

  Special Education Intern candidate must demonstrate subject matter competence prior to being recommended for the intern credential through one of the following methods NOT required for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Subject Matter Requirements (ca.gov) Within the first 60 days of the Intern candidate’s admission, LAUSD will complete an assessment of each candidate’s standing in relation to demonstration of the subject matter competence requirement, including whether a coursework evaluation will be needed, and notify candidates of that standing: 

  1. Completion of a subject matter program approved by the Commission on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(i).
  2. Passage of a Commission-approved subject matter examination. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(ii).
  3. Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may count for purposes of this clause. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(iii).
  4. Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following, as applicable.
     • For education specialist credentials, either a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates or a liberal studies or other major that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282. See PSA 21-10. 
  5. A combination of the methods described in 1, 2, or 3 above that, together, demonstrate that the candidate has met or exceeded the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(v), and 44282 (b).
• U.S. Constitution (via exam or coursework). 
• LAUSD full-time eligibility. 
• Authorization to work in the U.S. 

Credentialed Educators Now Teaching Special Education (CENTSE) 

• CA General Education K-12 Preliminary or Clear Credential. 
• Meet CA Basic Skills Requirement: Basic Skills Requirement (CL-667) (ca.gov)  
• U.S. Constitution (via exam or coursework). 
• LAUSD full-time eligibility. 
•  Authorization to work in the U.S. 

All applicants interested in the District Intern Education Specialist Preliminary Credential who meet minimum program eligibility requirements should complete an online application by clicking "Apply Now" below: