SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's
Accelerate Your Path in Special Education
Start graduate-level learning early while working toward your bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and credential.
The SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program gives eligible undergraduate students an accelerated pathway into advanced study and credential preparation. In the Special Education pathway, you can begin earning graduate credit during your junior or senior year while building the skills to support students with disabilities in schools and communities. This program helps you save time, stay focused on your goals and move toward a meaningful career in special education with a clear academic plan.
The Department of Special Education (SPED) currently has joint SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Programs with the Departments of Child & Adolescent Development (CAD) and Kinesiology (KIN).
Graduate Studies SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's
Applying to the SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program
Why It Matters
You can earn graduate credit while in your junior and/or senior years.
You pay undergraduate tuition for up to 15 units of graduate level courses (12 units may be double counted towards the undergraduate degree), and can capitalize on your resources (Financial Aid, Scholarships etc.). Your graduate school application fee will be waived.
In this program, you pursue a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and credential simultaneously.
You will engage with graduate level peers and advanced coursework.
SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Programs
CAD + SPED (Early Childhood Special Education)
This SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program integrates the Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Early Care & Education with the Masters in Special Education plus the credential program in Early Childhood Special Education. The Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development (CAD): Concentration in Early Care & Education prepares students who wish to work primarily with young children (infants, toddlers, and preschoolers) and their families in settings such as preschools, child care centers, schools, and social service agencies. The Masters of Arts in Special Education (SPED) supports the mastery of a broad range of learning in inclusive, equitable special education support services, and fosters students’ development as practitioners, researchers, and educational leaders. The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) credential program prepares individuals to provide quality early intervention and early childhood special education to young children, from birth to kindergarten, who have been diagnosed with disabilities in partnership with their families. Graduates of this blended program will be prepared for a career in special education to pursue a variety of jobs, including teaching, early intervention, program administration, and non-profit work. The program also fulfills the Basic Skills Requirement and reduces the time and overall cost of the credential and graduate degree. This program has a unique application process since it also includes a credential.
Highlights
- Getting the most out of your time: Candidates save at least one semester in time/tuition and can take up to 15 graduate units at the undergraduate rate (up to 12 units can be double counted towards the bachelor’s and master’s degrees).
- Program curriculum builds in test waivers for Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST tests).
- Advising: Every student is assigned a ECSE faculty advisor.
- Experiences: Coursework, field experiences/ student teaching, and other related activities within the credential program have a foundation on inclusion and equity-centered practices, emphasizing service delivery that is asset-based, culturally-responsive, and interdisciplinary.
- Careers: Students are ready for special education career immediately upon graduation. Graduates of our program work as early interventionists (birth to age 3), educators within preschool, TK, and kindergarten classrooms, and more!
Degrees & Credentials
Earn the following after completing the program:
- B.A. degree in Child & Adolescent Development (concentration in Early Care & Education)
- M.A. degree in Special Education
- Birth-Kindergarten Credential in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Students should apply for the SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program after they have completed 60 units (typically after their sophomore year and during their junior year). During their senior year, students will be taking a combination of undergraduate and graduate level coursework.
Example Roadmap
- Early Childhood Special Education + CAD Roadmap
CAD + SPED (Extensive Support Needs)
This SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program integrates the Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential with the Masters in Special Education plus the credential program in Extensive Support Needs. The Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential prepares students who wish to become elementary school teachers or K-12 special education teachers. The Masters of Arts in Special Education (SPED) supports the mastery of a broad range of learning in inclusive, equitable special education support services, and fosters students’ development as practitioners, researchers, and educational leaders. The Extensive Support Needs (ESN) credential program prepares highly qualified teachers using research-based curricula and pedagogy to provide quality educational services to students, from transitional kindergarten through age 22, with significant disabilities. Graduates of this blended program will be prepared to teach students with disabilities in inclusive urban settings, interact effectively with families, and develop educational goals using a transdisciplinary team approach. The program fulfills the Basic Skills Requirement and the Subject Matter Competency Requirement and reduces the time and overall cost of the credential and graduate degree. This program has a unique application process since it also includes a credential.
Highlights
- Getting the most out of your time: Candidates save at least one semester in time/tuition and can take up to 15 graduate units at the undergraduate rate (up to 12 units can be double counted towards the bachelor’s and master’s degrees).
- Program curriculum builds in test waivers for Subject Matter Requirement (e.g., CSET Multiple Subjects test) and Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST tests).
- Advising: Every student is assigned a ESN faculty advisor.
- Experiences: Coursework, field experiences/student teaching, and other related activities within the credential program help you be equipped with a foundation on inclusion and equity-based education, emphasizing systematic, data-based approaches to instruction and collaboration with families, school professionals, and community partners.
- Careers: Students are ready for special education career immediately upon graduation. Graduates of our program work as special education teachers within elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, inclusion specialists, and more!
Degrees & Credentials
Earn the following after completing the program:
- B.A. degree in Child & Adolescent Development (concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential)
- M.A. degree in Special Education
- K-12 Credential in Extensive Support Needs (ESN)
Students should apply for the SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program after they have completed 60 units (typically after their sophomore year and during their junior year). During their senior year, students will be taking a combination of undergraduate and graduate level coursework.
Example Roadmap
- Extensive Support Needs + CAD Roadmap
CAD + SPED (Mild Moderate Support Needs)
This SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program integrates the Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential with the Masters in Special Education plus the credential program in Mild to Moderate Support Needs. The Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential prepares students who wish to become elementary school teachers or K-12 special education teachers. The Masters of Arts in Special Education (SPED) supports the mastery of a broad range of learning in inclusive, equitable special education support services, and fosters students’ development as practitioners, researchers, and educational leaders. The Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) credential program prepares individuals seeking teacher certification to work with students, from transitional kindergarten through age 22, including learning disabilities, English language learners with language/learning disabilities, emotional support needs, speech and language disabilities, autism, visual or auditory processing difficulties, and intellectual disabilities. Graduates of this blended program will be prepared to teach students with disabilities in inclusive urban settings, interact effectively with families, and develop educational goals using a transdisciplinary team approach. The program fulfills the Basic Skills Requirement and the Subject Matter Competency Requirement and reduces the time and overall cost of the credential and graduate degree. This program has a unique application process since it also includes a credential.
Highlights
- Getting the most out of your time: Candidates save at least one semester in time/tuition and can take up to 15 graduate units at the undergraduate rate (up to 12 units can be double counted towards the bachelor’s and master’s degrees).
- Program curriculum builds in test waivers for Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST tests).
- Advising: Every student is assigned an MMSN faculty advisor.
- Experiences: Coursework, field experiences/ student teaching, and other related activities within the credential program have a foundation on inclusion and equity-centered practices, emphasizing service delivery that is asset-based, culturally-responsive, and interdisciplinary.
- Careers: Students are ready for careers within special education immediately upon graduation. Graduates of our program work as special education teachers within elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, inclusion specialists, and more!
Degrees & Credentials
Earn the following after completing the program:
- B.A. degree in Child & Adolescent Development (concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential)
- M.A. degree in Special Education
- K-12 Credential in Mild Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)
Students should apply for the SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program after they have completed 60 units (typically after their sophomore year and during their junior year). During their senior year, students will be taking a combination of undergraduate and graduate level coursework.
Example Roadmap
- Mild Moderate Support Needs + CAD Roadmap
KIN + SPED (Orientation and Mobility)
Graduates of this integrated accelerated Bachelor's + Master's program will be able to complete their B.S. in Kinesiology (concentration in Exercise & Movement Science), M.A. in Special Education, and preliminary credential in Orientation & Mobility in 5.5 years.
The California Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential in Orientation & Mobility qualifies candidates to work at the California School for the Blind and in the California public school system. Graduates of this blended program will be prepared for a career in special education to teach orientation and mobility techniques to individuals with disabilities who have visually impairments and/or who are blind from infancy through adulthood in a variety of settings including public school systems and rehabilitation agencies.
Highlights
- Getting the most out of your time: Candidates save at least one semester in time/tuition and can take up to 15 graduate units at the undergraduate rate (up to 12 units can be double counted towards the bachelor’s and master’s degrees).
- Program curriculum builds in test waivers for Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST tests).
- Advising: Every student is assigned an Orientation & Mobility faculty advisor.
- Experiences: Coursework, field experiences, student teaching, and other related activities within the credential program help Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists teach children and adults who have visual impairments the specific orientation skills used to find one's way in the environment and the mobility skills needed to travel safely and efficiently at home, school, work, and in the community.
- Careers: Students are ready for special education career immediately upon graduation. Graduates of our program work as orientation and mobility specialists, and more!
Degrees & Credentials
Earn the following after completing the program:
- B.S. in Kinesiology (concentration in Exercise & Movement Science)
- M.A. degree in Special Education
- Credential in Orientation & Mobility
- Become an Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Students should apply for the SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program after they have completed 60 units (typically after their sophomore year and during their junior year). During their senior year, students will be taking a combination of undergraduate and graduate level coursework.
Example Roadmap
- 2022-2023 Example Roadmap
CAD + SPED (Visual Impairments)
This SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program integrates the Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential with the Masters in Special Education plus the credential program in Visual Impairment. The Bachelor of Arts in Child & Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential prepares students who wish to become elementary school teachers or K-12 special education teachers. The Masters of Arts in Special Education (SPED) supports the mastery of a broad range of learning in inclusive, equitable special education support services, and fosters students’ development as practitioners, researchers, and educational leaders. The Visual Impairment (VI) credential program prepares highly qualified teachers using research-based curricula and pedagogy to provide quality educational services to students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, birth through age 22. Graduates of this blended program will be prepared for employment as teachers of blind and low vision students, leaders and service providers in blindness organizations, or any role that requires expertise in differentiating teaching and learning for low incidence populations including visual impairments and deafblindness. The program fulfills the Basic Skills Requirement and the Subject Matter Competency Requirement and reduces the time and overall cost of the credential and graduate degree. This program has a unique application process since it also includes a credential.
Highlights
- Getting the most out of your time: Candidates save at least one semester in time/tuition and can take up to 15 graduate units at the undergraduate rate (up to 12 units can be double counted towards the bachelor’s and master’s degrees).
- Program curriculum builds in test waivers for Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST tests).
- Advising: Every student is assigned a VI faculty advisor.
- Experiences: Coursework, field experiences/ student teaching, and other related activities within the credential program have a foundation on inclusion and equity-centered practices, emphasizing service delivery that is asset-based, culturally-responsive, and interdisciplinary.
- Careers: Students are ready for careers as teachers of the visually impaired immediately upon graduation. Graduates of our programs are prepared for employment as teachers of blind and low vision students, leaders and service providers in blindness organizations, or any role that requires expertise in differentiating teaching and learning for low incidence populations including visual impairments and deafblindness.
Degrees & Credentials
Earn the following after completing the program:
- B.A. degree in Child & Adolescent Development (concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential)
- M.A. degree in Special Education
- K-12 Credential in Visual Impairments (VI)
Students should apply for the SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's Program after they have completed 60 units (typically after their sophomore year and during their junior year). During their senior year, students will be taking a combination of undergraduate and graduate level coursework.
Example Roadmap
- Visual Impairments + CAD Roadmap