CSU Chico’s RiSE: A Unique Masters of Arts in Education Residency Program for Aspiring Special Education Teachers
Did you know that of the more than 200 California school districts, 75% experience teacher shortages? In fact, there is such a shortage of teachers that many schools admit to hiring teachers with substandard credentials or permits. If you’ve thought about getting your masters and credential to become a special education teacher, there is no better time than today.
The Residency in Secondary Education (RiSE) program at Chico State offers an innovative 18 month graduate curriculum that combines a Master of Arts in Education, a teaching credential in special education, and a hands-on teaching residency with a mentor. The program equips residents with the education and professional experience they need to emerge as leading candidates for mild/moderate or moderate/severe special education positions.
But it’s not just the top-notch education, field experience, 100% alumni job placement rate, and fact that it’s one of the only 24 federally funded Masters of Arts in Education programs in the United States that draws aspiring teachers to RiSE. It’s also the collaborative cohorted environment, strong support from the faculty, community involvement, and exceptional professional development opportunities.
Here’s why the RiSE program at CSU Chico is ideal for aspiring special education teachers:
A unique co-teaching experience
The RiSE co-teaching residency differs from traditional student teaching in significant ways. RiSE students begin working with their mentor teachers prior to the opening of the school year and work full-time, four days per week at the school site for the entire academic year.
Residents assume responsibility for co-planning and co-teaching with their mentors from day one, and participate with their mentors in a variety of classroom-, school- and district-related activities. They are, in effect, additional faculty members in the classrooms and at the schools where they are assigned, helping to make classroom decisions and sharing the responsibility and accountability for student learning.
The rewards of residency
Because of its highly ranked program and student success rate, Chico State is one of the 24 Masters of Arts in Education schools in the US to receive the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant from the United States Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement. This prestigious grant makes it possible for the university to provide a living stipend of up to $25,000 to individuals who have been admitted to the RiSE Program.
Currently, the university is collecting applications for grants for the upcoming school year, which will be the very last year this stipend will be offered.
What RiSE special education students are saying
The RiSE in Special Education program receives rave reviews from its students for its strong community, hands-on professional experiences, and ongoing support from professors and staff.
“RiSE has challenged me to be a better student and teacher. I have never committed myself to such an intense endeavor, but RiSE has proven to be just as rewarding as it is stressful. After spending one entire school year in a teaching residence, I believe I will be adequately prepared for the profession I am eager to join. I could not imagine getting my credential any other way.”
- Julia Bick, special education resident and co-teacher at Las Plumas High School, Oroville USD, Butte County
“I’m in my first semester, doing the mild to moderate education specialist pathway, and so far it’s been an amazing experience. Even before relocating to Chico from Nevada, the staff was super helpful with giving me all the information I needed, getting me set up for all the prerequisites, and helping me apply to the program step-by-step.
It was such a great feeling to be accepted since RiSE is such an intense and competitive program. Now I’m really looking forward to having my co-teaching placement in fall for a whole school year — an experience that most Masters in Education graduates don’t get in other programs.
The best part of the program is hands-down the support network, and the strong relationships I’ve built with other residents in my cohort, students in the classroom, teachers, and the community in general. I can tell everyone really wants me to succeed. I have five kids, and the support I receive from the faculty is invaluable in making me feel like I can excel, especially since the program itself is so rigorous.”
- Tara West, current RiSE special education resident
Apply today
RiSE is accepting applications for its special education program for fall 2017. This is the last year that the $25,000 financial grant for residents will be offered, so be sure to apply soon. You can find more enrollment and application details here.