Enjoy the flexibility of online learning as your classroom comes to you! Kentucky State University's online Master of Arts degree program in Special Education with a specialization in Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD) will prepare you to teach students with special needs from kindergarten through 12th grade. The program provides the flexibility of completing academic work at any time of the day and week, while providing the rigor needed for you to become a great special education teacher. The accelerated nature of this program makes it attractive to serious adult learners who are seeking employment in the field of special education. This program is right for you if you are goal-oriented and have the technology skills to engage fully in online learning.
The program offers an Alternative Route (Option 6) teacher certification leading to certification in Master of Arts in Special Education in the field of Learning and Behavior Disorders (P-12) for students who are employed in the State of Kentucky. If you are employed out-of-state, you do not qualify for Option 6. Individuals who are already certified teachers prepare for advanced certification and individuals who are not certified teachers prepare for initial certification. Completion of this program leads to Rank II classification in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Applicants from areas outside of Kentucky are welcome to enroll with the understanding that, as a public university, this program prepares graduates for certification in Kentucky. Certification and teaching in other states might entail additional requirements.
The special education program curriculum consists of 11 three-credit-hour courses and a final semester of teaching full-time in schools. A full courseload for a graduate student is three courses (nine hours) per semester. Each semester is composed of two eight-week terms and each course is completed in one term. In addition, students complete field experiences in accredited schools throughout their matriculation.
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ESP 502 Legal and Parental Issues in Special Education 3 ESP 504 Theories of Reading & Educational Practices P-12 3 ESP 505 Teaching Mathematics to Children and Youth with Learning and Behavior Disorders 3 ESP 507 Introduction to Special Education 3 ESP 510 Curriculum and Methods in Learning and Behavior Disorders 3 ESP 511 Methods/Strategies Behavior Management 3 ESP 515 Research in Special Education 3 ESP 523 The individual with LD: Learning and Development Through the Lifespan 3 ESP 524 Instructional Assessment Methods 3 ESP 525 Inclusion, Collaboration and Advocacy 3 ESP 526 Prescriptive Teaching 3 ESP 574 Student Teaching (advanced certification) 6 ESP 575 Supervised Student Teaching (initial certification) 12 TOTAL CREDIT HOURS 33-45
Apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program after taking 12 hours of classes.
Verbal Reasoning: 150; Quantitative Reasoning: 143; Analytic Writing: 4.0 or Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Reading: 156; Writing: 162; Mathematics: 150