Education: Special Education (AA)

For students interested in exploring the field of special education, planning to transfer and earn a special education teaching credential, or interested in furthering their development as professionals already working in educational settings serving individuals with disabilities and other special populations.

40-50+ annually

The Cerritos College Education Department delivers a high-quality program that prepares students for careers supporting individuals with disabilities across educational, community, and human services settings. The Associate of Arts in Special Education responds to the growing demand for special education professionals, including instructional aides, paraprofessionals, behavior support staff, autism support professionals, and future Education Specialists, by providing students with foundational knowledge, practical skills, and an understanding of inclusive educational practices.

The program also provides a strong transfer foundation for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Education, Liberal Studies, Special Education, Psychology, Human Development, and related fields. With thoughtful planning, students can complete the Associate in Arts Degree while satisfying lower-division transfer preparation and positioning themselves for admission to state-approved Education Specialist Credential programs and other professional pathways serving individuals with disabilities.

1. Facilitate undergraduate access to fundamental knowledge and experiences important to working with individuals with disabilities.
2. Strengthen the preparation of those interested in careers supporting individuals with disabilities.
3. Develop an understanding of the theories, policies, and legal foundations upon which special education practices are based.
4. Evaluate best practices for creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible teaching and learning environments.
5. Provide a degree pathway for students interested in becoming Special Education teachers and related educational professionals.
6. Prepare students for employment as instructional aides, paraprofessionals, behavior support staff, autism support professionals, and other educational support personnel serving students with disabilities.

The Associate of Arts in Special Education prepares students for careers supporting individuals with disabilities in educational, community, and human services settings. The curriculum responds to the growing demand for special education professionals, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, behavior support staff, autism support professionals, and future Education Specialists by providing foundational knowledge of disability, inclusion, child development, educational technology, and evidence-based support practices.

Through coursework in special education, educational equity, child development, assistive technology, communication, and critical thinking, students develop the knowledge and professional competencies needed to support diverse learners and collaborate effectively with students, families, educators, and service providers. Specialized elective options allow students to further develop skills in areas such as developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, American Sign Language, intercultural communication, and services for children with special needs.

The program supports both immediate workforce entry and long-term career advancement. Graduates are prepared for employment in educational and community-based settings serving individuals with disabilities while also establishing a strong foundation for transfer and pursuit of the Education Specialist Teaching Credential. Through its emphasis on inclusion, accessibility, and evidence-based practice, the program contributes to addressing California’s critical shortage of special education professionals and strengthening the educational workforce pipeline.

The Associate of Arts in Special Education expands Cerritos College’s Education and Human Services offerings by providing a comprehensive degree pathway for students interested in working with individuals with disabilities and pursuing careers in special education. The degree complements the existing Associate of Arts in Education by offering specialized coursework focused on disability studies, educational equity, inclusive practices, assistive technology, and the legal and philosophical foundations of special education.

The program serves as a central pathway within the college’s special education curriculum and is designed to support both transfer preparation and workforce development. Students interested in becoming Education Specialists, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, behavior support professionals, autism support staff, and other disability-service professionals will benefit from the program’s interdisciplinary foundation. The degree also provides a strong academic base for students pursuing advanced study in special education, psychology, counseling, speech-language pathology, social work, and related fields.

The Associate of Arts in Special Education is designed to be stackable with the college’s Certificate in Special Education and the Autism and Neurodiversity Studies Certificate, allowing students to develop both broad and specialized expertise. While the certificates provide focused workforce preparation, the AA degree offers a more comprehensive educational foundation that integrates child development, educational technology, disability studies, critical thinking, communication, and general education coursework. This structure creates multiple entry and exit points for students while strengthening the Education and Human Services Learning and Career Pathway.

The program fills an important gap in the college’s curriculum by providing a dedicated degree pathway focused on special education and disability support. It aligns with regional workforce needs, supports California’s ongoing shortage of special education professionals, and strengthens the pipeline of future educators and disability-service professionals serving schools and communities throughout the region.

While several community colleges within the Los Angeles region offer coursework related to special education through Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or Education programs, relatively few offer a dedicated Associate of Arts degree in Special Education. Existing programs often emphasize early intervention, child development, or general teacher preparation rather than providing a comprehensive degree pathway focused specifically on disability studies, inclusive educational practices, educational equity, assistive technology, and preparation for careers supporting students with disabilities.

The Associate of Arts in Special Education at Cerritos College addresses this gap by providing specialized preparation for students interested in working with individuals with disabilities across educational and community settings. The degree supports both workforce development and transfer preparation, serving future Education Specialists, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, behavior support professionals, autism support staff, and other disability-service professionals.

The program complements rather than duplicates existing regional offerings. By integrating child development, educational technology, disability studies, inclusive education, and general education coursework into a coherent degree pathway, the program provides broader preparation than is typically available through existing Child Development or Education programs alone. As California continues to experience a shortage of special education personnel, the degree expands educational opportunities for students while strengthening the regional workforce pipeline dedicated to serving students with disabilities.

40-50+ Annually

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