ITEP Program

FAQ

Here are some commmonly asked questions. If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you as you explore the exciting new Integrated Teacher Education Program.

ITEP pathways include a preliminary mild to moderate support needs credential and preliminary extensive support needs (i.e., moderate/severe disabilities) credential. (Students seeking an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) credential so that they may teach in preschool settings will be eligible for the ECSE Added Authorization through ITEP.)

Licensure through ITEP authorizes you to teach and support students with disabilities in a variety of K-22 settings including: resource rooms, special education settings, general education inclusion and co-teaching settings, special schools, non-public, non-sectarian schools and agencies, alternative and non-traditional public school settings other than classroom, home hospital, state hospital, developmental centers, and juvenile correctional facilities.

  • Mild to moderate support needs (MMSN) includes specific learning disabilities; mild to moderate intellectual disabilities; other health impairments; serious emotional disorders; and authorizes service in grades K–12 and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.

  • Extensive support needs (ESN) includes autism; deaf-blindness; moderate to severe intellectual disabilities; multiple disabilities; serious emotional disorders; and authorizes service in grades K–12 and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.

If you would like to teach preschool students with disabilities you would have to complete the CPP ITEP program, then complete a program that would add an ECSE Added Authorization onto your Education Specialist credential that you earned here. Though CPP offers the Early Childhood Studies option, the ECSE credential program is not currently available.

ITEP is offered in a cohort model. Due to the intensive nature of the program, students are expected to take a full-load ranging from 15-18 units per semester, with additional courses required during summers at the end of years 2 and 3.

ITEP offers a blend of day and evening courses, with most courses during years 1, 2 and 3 during the day, and courses offered during evenings in year 4. Some classes are offered in summer.

ITEP offers a blend of face-to-face, hybrid and online courses, with most face-to-face courses offered during years 1-3 and most hybrid and online courses offered during summers and in year 4.

ITEP students must still apply (PDF) to the credential program at the end of their junior year. Priority admission is given to ITEP students and you must meet all the minimum qualifications of the credential program to apply. These qualifications include: competent language and writing skills, an overall 2.67 GPA, completion of 45 hours of early field work, subject matter verification and basic skills verification.

No, ITEP students may not seek intern teaching positions while in the program.

Candidates must complete the ITEP program and receive their preliminary Education Specialist credential to be eligible for the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Special Education program at CPP. However, qualified ITEP graduates will be given priority admission into the MA program during the MA application process.

This program has a very intensive and compacted timeline of courses so that you may graduate with a BA and credential in four years. Students may only select the ITEP program if they can take the 15-18 units required per semester as well as the required summer courses. Once admitted to the ITEP program, if you are not able to follow the cohort course sequence, or maintain a 2.67 GPA, you will be advised to change your major to either to Pre-Credential LS or Pre-Credential ECS.

There are no additional fees to be an ITEP student. Please see the current CPP tuition schedule for fees. 

In addition to grants, scholarships and loans available to undergraduates through the Financial Aid Office, ITEP students may be eligible for the TEACH grant, which provides financial aid to students who plan to teach in a high-need field in a low-income area. TEACH grant information.

Federal grants and scholarships are available during summer for qualified students. For complete details on financial aid, contact the financial aid office.

Limited and flexible part-time work during the ITEP program is feasible but full-time work is not.

If you are not able to meet the minimum 2.67 GPA required by the credential program by your junior year, you will not be admitted to the credential program. At that time, you will be advised to change your major to the LS or ECS pre-credential option and you are encouraged to reapply to the credential program after you have received your B.A. degree.