Example Pathways for Future Special Education Teachers
There is no specific major that leads directly to a career as a special education teacher, so if you are interested in working with exceptional children, a career in special education could be for you. Below is information to support you in earning a teaching credential. Please note, there are MANY ways to become a special education teacher, the options below are just a few pathways.
Cuesta College Prospective Transfer Students
Starting your degree at Cuesta College is a great pathway to becoming a special education teacher. Below you will find resources to support your academic goals at each institutional level.
YEARS 1&2 |
CUESTA COLLEGE |
FIRST YEAR CUESTA STUDENT | LAST YEAR CUESTA STUDENT
Complete required courses in major of your choice* + meet either the IGETC or CSU-Breadth. See Cuesta’s program of study for your major. If you plan to attend Cal Poly, see Cal Poly Admissions Selection Criteria for Transfer Students page. |
YEARS 3&4
|
UNDERGRAD**
|
FIRST YEAR TRANSFER STUDENT | LAST YEAR TRANSFER STUDENT
You will need to meet the degree requirements for your declared major. As a Transfer Student, you will have courses completed from Cuesta to meet major/GE requirements. |
YEAR 5
|
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
|
FALL QUARTER | WINTER QUARTER | SPRING QUARTER
In the SOE credential program, you will start courses in summer quarter and have clinical practice (student teaching) in August. See details for the Special Education Program Coursework. |
*There are many degrees that can translate to earning your special education credential.
**It is common for transfer students to use three years at a university to complete their bachelor degree. Transfer students have catalog rights, see academic advisor for details.
GET TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Cal Poly’s CESAME has teaching opportunities for Cuesta College students. Email CESAME for more information!
-Cuesta College offers events and programs to support future teachers. See what options interest you at the Teacher Pathways resource page.
APPLICATIONS & FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
-Use Cal State Apply for Cal Poly Undergraduate program (fall)
-Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October, ends June.
-If applicable, complete CA Dream Act application, opens October, ends June.
CBEST TEST PREP (not required): Contact futureteachers@cuesta.edu for information.
BASIC SKILLS & SUBJECT MATTER RESOURCES: While earning your associate’s degree, you can check out the Cal Poly SOE’s resources for meeting the Basic Skills Requirement and Subject Matter Competence.
GET TEACHING EXPERIENCE:*
-Learn By Doing Lab
-TeAMS program
-MOST program
-STAR Program
More Opportunities:
-Educators of Color Club (Instagram: @educators_of_colorcp)
-Cal Poly Transfer Center
*The experiences listed here are at Cal Poly, but each university should offer teacher experience programs. Also, the CESAME programs are STEM focused, but are open to any major.
APPLICATIONS & FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
-Meet SPED program requirements (visit soe.calpoly.edu for specific details on credential program prerequisites)
-Cal State Apply for SPED program
-FAFSA or CA Dream Act
TEACHING SCHOLARSHIPS:
-TIER Residency Grant (application due by April)
START CLINICAL PRACTICE: Begin student teaching as the K-12 school year starts and learn with your cooperating teacher!
More Opportunities:
-Spanish Authorization for Bilingual Educators
-Students in the SABE program earn a bilingual authorization that can be added to any CA teaching credential.
Allan Hancock College Prospective Transfer Students
Starting your degree at Allan Hancock College is a great pathway to becoming a special education teacher. Below you will find resources to support your academic goals at each institutional level.
YEARS 1&2 |
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE |
FIRST YEAR HANCOCK STUDENT | LAST YEAR HANCOCK STUDENT
Complete required courses in major of your choice* + meet either the IGETC or CSU-Breadth. See AHC’s program requirements for your major. If you plan to attend Cal Poly, see Cal Poly Admissions Selection Criteria for Transfer Students page. |
YEARS 3&4
|
UNDERGRAD*
|
FIRST YEAR TRANSFER STUDENT | LAST YEAR TRANSFER STUDENT
You will need to meet the degree requirements for your declared major. As a Transfer Student, you will have courses completed from AHC to meet major/GE requirements. |
YEAR 5
|
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
|
SUMMER QUARTER | FALL QUARTER | WINTER QUARTER | SPRING QUARTER
In the SOE credential program, you will start courses in summer quarter and have clinical practice (student teaching) in August. See details for the Special Education Program Coursework. |
*It is common for transfer students to use three years at a university to complete their bachelor degree. Transfer students have catalog rights, see academic advisor for details.
GET TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Cal Poly’s CESAME has teaching opportunities for Cuesta College students. Email CESAME for more information!
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE OFFERS PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT FUTURE TEACHERS:
-California Mini-Corps Program (for Spanish/English bilingual students)
-Future Teachers Club, advisor Alice Caddell - acaddell@hancockcollege.edu
APPLICATIONS & FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
-Use Cal State Apply for Cal Poly Undergraduate program (fall)
-Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October, ends June.
-If applicable, complete CA Dream Act application, opens October, ends June.
BASIC SKILLS & SUBJECT MATTER RESOURCES: While earning your associate’s degree, you can check out the Cal Poly SOE’s resources for meeting the Basic Skills Requirement and Subject Matter Competence.
GET TEACHING EXPERIENCE:*
-Learn By Doing Lab
-TeAMS program
-MOST program
-STAR Program
More Opportunities:
-Educators of Color Club (Instagram: @educators_of_colorcp)
-Cal Poly Transfer Center
*The experiences listed here are at Cal Poly, but each university should offer teacher experience programs. Also, the CESAME programs are STEM focused, but are open to any major.
APPLICATIONS & FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
-Meet SPED Program Requirements (visit soe.calpoly.edu for specific details on credential program prerequisites)
-Cal State Apply for SPED program
-FAFSA or CA Dream Act
TEACHING SCHOLARSHIPS:
-TIER Residency Grant (application due by April)
START CLINICAL PRACTICE: Begin student teaching as the K-12 school year starts and learn with your cooperating teacher!
More Opportunities:
-Spanish Authorization for Bilingual Educators
-Students in the SABE program earn a bilingual authorization that can be added to any CA teaching credential.
Community College Prospective Transfer Students
Starting your degree at a community college (CC) is a great pathway to becoming a special education teacher. Below you will find resources to support your academic goals at each institutional level.
YEARS 1&2 |
COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
FIRST YEAR CC STUDENT | LAST YEAR CC STUDENT
Complete required courses in major of your choice* + meet either the IGETC or CSU-Breadth. See your CC’s program of study for your major. If you plan to attend Cal Poly, see Cal Poly Admissions Selection Criteria for Transfer Students page. |
YEARS 3&4
|
UNDERGRAD*
|
FIRST YEAR TRANSFER STUDENT | LAST YEAR TRANSFER STUDENT
You will need to meet the degree requirements for your declared major. As a Transfer Student, you will have courses completed to meet major/GE requirements. |
YEAR 5
|
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
|
SUMMER QUARTER | FALL QUARTER | WINTER QUARTER | SPRING QUARTER
In the SOE credential program, you will start courses in summer quarter and have clinical practice (student teaching) in August. See details for the Special Education Program Coursework. |
*It is common for transfer students to use three years at a university to complete their bachelor degree. Transfer students have catalog rights, see academic advisor for details.
GET TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Cal Poly’s CESAME has teaching opportunities for Cuesta College students. Email CESAME for more information!
APPLICATIONS & FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
-Use Cal State Apply for Cal Poly Undergraduate program (fall)
-Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October, ends June.
-If applicable, complete CA Dream Act application, opens October, ends June.
BASIC SKILLS & SUBJECT MATTER RESOURCES: While earning your associate’s degree, you can check out the Cal Poly SOE’s resources for meeting the Basic Skills Requirement and Subject Matter Competence.
GET TEACHING EXPERIENCE:*
-Learn By Doing Lab
-TeAMS program
-MOST program
-STAR Program
More Opportunities:
-Educators of Color Club (Instagram: @educators_of_colorcp)
-Cal Poly Transfer Center
*The experiences listed here are at Cal Poly, but each university should offer teacher experience programs. Also, the CESAME programs are STEM focused, but are open to any major.
APPLICATIONS & FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
-Meet SPED Program Requirements (visit soe.calpoly.edu for specific details on credential program prerequisites)
-Cal State Apply for SPED program
-FAFSA or CA Dream Act
TEACHING SCHOLARSHIPS:
-TIER Residency Grant (application due by April)
START CLINICAL PRACTICE: Begin student teaching as the K-12 school year starts and learn with your cooperating teacher!
More Opportunities:
-Spanish Authorization for Bilingual Educators
-Students in the SABE program earn a bilingual authorization that can be added to any CA teaching credential.
Transfer Students Currently Enrolled at Cal Poly
Continuing your degree at Cal Poly is a great pathway to becoming a special education teacher. Below you will find resources to support your academic goals at each institutional level.
YEARS 3&4
|
UNDERGRAD*
|
FIRST YEAR TRANSFER STUDENT | LAST YEAR TRANSFER STUDENT
You will need to meet the degree requirements for your declared major. As a Transfer Student, you will have courses completed to meet major/GE requirements. |
YEAR 5
|
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
|
SUMMER QUARTER | FALL QUARTER | WINTER QUARTER | SPRING QUARTER
In the SOE credential program, you will start courses in summer quarter and have clinical practice (student teaching) in August. See details for the Special Education Program Coursework. |
*It is common for transfer students to use three years at a university to complete their bachelor degree. Transfer students have catalog rights, see academic advisor for details.
GET TEACHING EXPERIENCE:*
-Learn By Doing Lab
-TeAMS program
-MOST program
-STAR Program
More Opportunities:
-Educators of Color Club (Instagram: @educators_of_colorcp)
-Cal Poly Transfer Center
*The experiences listed here are at Cal Poly, but each university should offer teacher experience programs. Also, the CESAME programs are STEM focused, but are open to any major.
BASIC SKILLS & SUBJECT MATTER RESOURCES: While earning your bachelor’s degree, you can check out the Cal Poly SOE’s resources for meeting the Basic Skills Requirement and Subject Matter Competence.
APPLICATIONS & FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
-Meet SPED Program Requirements (visit soe.calpoly.edu for specific details on credential program prerequisites)
-Cal State Apply for SPED program
-FAFSA or CA Dream Act
TEACHING SCHOLARSHIPS:
-TIER Residency Grant (application due by April)
START CLINICAL PRACTICE: Begin student teaching as the K-12 school year starts and learn with your cooperating teacher!
More Opportunities:
-Spanish Authorization for Bilingual Educators
-Students in the SABE program earn a bilingual authorization that can be added to any CA teaching credential.