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This Program is Perfect For

  • Current paraprofessionals who want formal training and eligibility for California Child Development Assistant or Associate Teacher permits.
  • Individuals seeking roles as paraeducators, instructional aides, or assistant teachers in inclusive and special education classrooms.
  • Recent high school graduates, parents, or caregivers ready to begin a professional pathway in special education.

Make an impact in inclusive and special education classrooms

With more than 850,000 students in California receiving special education services, schools urgently need well-prepared support professionals. The Special Education Teacher Assistant Certificate gives you with the knowledge, skills, and credentials to serve as a highly effective paraprofessional in today¡¯s diverse learning environments. Designed to meet California¡¯s growing workforce needs, this fully online program combines foundational early childhood education with specialized training to support children with disabilities.

This certificate stands apart.

This is one of the only programs in California to:

  • Integrate early childhood education coursework with specialized special education training.
  • Fulfill educational requirements for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing:
    • Child Development Assistant Permit.
    • Child Development Associate Teacher Permit.
  • Emphasize culturally responsive, inclusive teaching practices.
  • Prepare graduates to step directly into classroom roles.

This certificate provides an accessible, career-focused pathway into education ¡ª and prepares you to confidently support students with diverse learning needs in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. You won¡¯t just learn theory. You¡¯ll build practical, classroom-ready skills aligned with real school environments.

Certificate program objectives

  • Explain how child development, family dynamics, community factors, and cultural influences impact the growth and education of all children, including those with disabilities.
  • Understand the various definitions and characteristics of learning differences in students.
  • Apply differentiated educational strategies to support the instructional needs of children with disabilities.
  • Demonstrate competency in child development, family/community relationships, and early childhood curriculum to fulfill the education requirements for the Child Development Associate Teacher

Courses

Program Requirements

Take 5 courses (21 quarter units)

  • End with certificate of completion review.

View program schedule.

1. Required Course(s):

Introduction to Special Education in Early Childhood Settings
ECED.X320
$560 (Estimated Cost)
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Classroom Techniques for Special Education Assistant Teachers
ECED.X321
$560 (Estimated Cost)
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
ECE 8: Child Health, Safety and Nutrition
ECED.X308
$690 (Estimated Cost)
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter
ECE 4: The Young Child in the Family and Community
ECED.X304
$560 (Estimated Cost)
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter
ECE 1: Development in Early Childhood
ECED.X301
$560 (Estimated Cost)
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
Winter

2. Completion Review:

Early Childhood Education: Special Education Teacher Assistant Certificate Completion Fee
O-CE0423
You may enroll in this offering at any time.
Mar. 3, Tuesday, All Day
O-CE0423.(001)
Schedule
 

use this section type to create sections that are online and/or self-paced

Requisite knowledge

Minimum high school, tutors, people with a Certificate of Achievement from a community college, parents guardians of students with disabilities. Anyone is welcome to enroll in individual courses, provided they meet the specific prerequisites for each course.

Recommended course sequence

Flexible course sequence ¡ª Courses may be taken in any order provided the prerequisites are met.

Special Education Teacher Assistant credentialing

Current paraprofessionals pursuing formal training and eligibility for the CTC 

Licensure and Certification Policy¡ªThis is not a mandatory licensure (permit) for this field of practice. Please see our Licensure and Certification Policy to learn more.

Grade requirements

Please note that only letter grades of C or higher may be applied to a certificate, and in some programs, students may have more stringent requirements. Students in most employer- and government-sponsored payment programs, such as workforce development, as well as international students on F-1 visas, need to maintain a B average to meet their requirements.

See Grading and Credits Policy for further information.

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Establish Candidacy

1. Complete a Course

Complete at least one course in your selected program.

3. Complete Requirements

You must establish candidacy in the certificate program before enrolling in the Certificate Completion Review.

Instructors

Program Chair
Sharmila Roy

Sharmila Roy

Neurodiversity Expert | Program Chair

SHARMILA ROY, Ph.D., began her teaching journey in India and pursued further training in the United Kingdom before earning her doctorate in Special Education from the University of Buffalo in New York. She brings over three decades of expertise in special education to her role as program chair of the Special Education Teacher Assistant certificate program at °®¶¹´«Ã½ Silicon Valley Extension. Roy, a founding chair of the Educational Therapy certificate program and instructor at Extension since 2007 has been an integral global leader in trends in the growing field of neurodiversity. 

She works in private practice as an educational therapist in the San Francisco Bay Area providing customized support to students and has been a dedicated advocate for minority families navigating the complexities of the special education system. 

Roy has focused on enhancing math learning experiences for students with learning disabilities using Universal Design for Learning and multisensory structured instruction. Her specialization includes developing number sense in K-7th grade students and supporting executive function skills in middle to high school students and young adults. Her work as an educational therapist includes advocating for students with learning disabilities and she has supported many neurodivergent students attain accommodations in the classroom. 

She has contributed significantly to professional development for educators, allied professionals, parents, and organizations supporting struggling students and young adults. As a sought-after speaker, she has presented at Stanford University Department of Psychiatry (learning disorders), San Jose State University (executive functions for students with learning disabilities), and the Schwab Learning Center (how to pursue what you love). Roy is a Professional Board Member of the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

Certificate Program Advisory Committee

NINET MORADI, M.A.
Instructor, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Silicon Valley Extension Early Childhood Education: Supervision and Administration Program

SHARMILA ROY, Ph.D.
Chair/Instructor, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Silicon Valley Extension Educational Therapy Certificate Program

ROBYN STONE, M.A.
Coordinator, Santa Clara County Office of Education
°®¶¹´«Ã½ Silicon Valley Extension Early Childhood Education Program

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