Program Overview
A Glimpse of Our Online Alternative Certification – Moderate & Severe Disabilities Program
The Alternative Certification in Special Education – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program from NKU prepares you to hone the unique intellectual, physical, and social abilities of each student. Learn to adjust your teaching practice to support all students and help them receive the more equitable and inclusive educational experience they deserve.
This CAEP-accredited online alternative certification program is suited for teachers (with or without Learning & Behavior Disorder certification) seeking additional credentials and who aspire to effectively teach students with the highest need—a population that is rapidly growing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 15% of students in Kentucky have been assigned an Individualized Education Program (13% above the national average), meaning more school districts are looking to hire qualified special education teachers.
NKU's Alternative Certification – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program equips you with a broader special education perspective and advanced pedagogical instructional strategies that span a wide variety of disabilities, such as: intellectual disabilities, orthopedic impairments, other health impairments (speech/visual/hearing), and behavioral disorders. As part of the curriculum, you will be able to apply your knowledge to real-world settings in the field experience courses. This specialized online program prepares you to stand out as a certified teacher in the field of special education.
To fill the need for qualified special education teachers in Kentucky, students in the Alternative Certification – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program may apply for tuition assistance through Kentucky's Traineeship Program for special education.*
Plus, upon completion of this alternative certification online program, you will be eligible to apply a portion of your earned credit hours toward any of the five Master of Arts in Education – Teacher as Leader online graduate programs at NKU.
In this online Alternative Certification program, you will:
- Become fully certified to teach special education in the state of Kentucky
- Learn to adjust your instructional practices to accommodate the needs of students with intellectual disabilities, orthopedic disabilities and/or health impairments
- Gain an understanding of students' use of assistive technology for communication, mobility, sensory impairments, distance learning; and to transition into the community and post-school careers
- Learn to promote functional skills among students, such as language skills, motor skills, social skills, and career skills
- Examine legislation and instructional practices relating to the education of students with exceptionalities
- Review effective communication and collaboration techniques to use when working with parents and families of students with disabilities
- Explore the role and functionality of coordinating agencies and community services that offer opportunities for students with disabilities outside of the school
The educator preparation programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Tuition
Learn More about the Affordable Tuition as low as $6,420 at NKU
The Alternative Certification in Special Education – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative Certification in Special Education – Moderate & Severe Disabilities | $412 | $240-352 | $6,420-9,416 |
Ranked among the “Top Public Colleges” by Forbes, 2022
Calendar
Find out When to Apply, When Classes Start, When Tuition Is Due
With six start dates per year, the Alternative Certification in Special Education – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program is flexible and convenient. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, along with corresponding deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 05/08/2023 | 04/26/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 05/08/2023 | 06/23/2023 |
| Summer 2 | 06/26/2023 | 06/14/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/22/2023 | 06/26/2023 | 08/11/2023 |
| Fall 1 | 08/21/2023 | 08/09/2023 | 08/14/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/2023 | 10/05/2023 | 10/10/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 10/18/2023 | 12/08/2023 |
| Spring 1 | 01/08/2024 | 01/02/2024 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/202$ |
| Spring 2 | 03/11/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/04/2024 | 03/08/2024 | 03/11/2024 | 04/26/2024 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
Uncover What You Need to Know Before Applying
The admission process is the first step toward earning your degree online. Requirements for the Alternative Certification in Special Education – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program include:
View full admission requirements
Alternative Certification in Special Education – Moderate & Severe Disabilities Admission Requirements
- Complete online application for admission
- Pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alumni or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) coursework from an accredited institutions. Transcripts must include completion of a college-level mathematics course (cannot be at the remedial level) with a grade of C or higher.
- Minimum 2.75 GPA or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 30 credit hours, including undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Submit a Federal Criminal Background Check; a teaching certificate may be submitted in lieu of the background check (submit copy of current teaching certificate or out-of-state equivalent—new teachers in Kentucky may submit a Kentucky Statement of Eligibility)
- Supplemental application
Upon being admitted, new students will be expected to provide: an offer of employment from a Kentucky school district in an LBD or MSD position; a signed Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky Certified Personnel, the College of Education, and the Council for Exceptional Children; a curriculum contract, and a mentorship agreement.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
The Topics You'll Study in Online Moderate and Severe Disabilities Program Classes
In order to earn the Alternative Certification in Special Education – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online, you must complete five or six courses for a total of 15-22 credit hours (courses and credit hours dependent upon whether you are/are not LBD certified).
Students must complete the following courses (15 credit hours).
EDG 666: Introduction to Education of Students with Exceptionalities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Nature and needs of students with exceptionalities; overview of legal requirements and educational approaches.
EDS 561: Intellectual and Orthopedic Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Characteristics and educational programs for students who have intellectual disabilities or orthopedic and/or health impairments.
EDS 570: Working with Families of Students with Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Information, skills, and resources for effective interaction with parents and families of children with disabilities.
EDG 662: Educational Assessment of Learning and Behavior Disorders
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Principles, instruments, and procedures to place and plan instruction for students with learning or behavior disorders.
EDG 663: Behavioral Analysis Procedures for Students with Exceptionalities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Principles of behavior analysis applied to curriculum, methodology, and management of students with disabilities; behavioral teaching methods contrasted with alternative management techniques.
Students must complete the following courses (19-22 credit hours).
EDS 551: Assistive Technology in the Classroom
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Evaluating for assistive technology; approaches and devices for communication, mobility, and sensory impairments; distances learning technology for transition to the community and post school careers.
EDG 653: Language Development of Students with Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Theories of language development; teaching functional communication skills; skills necessary for pre interactions; assistive technology and communication; teaching conversational skills.
EDG 665: Transdisciplinary Collaboration
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Knowledge of and skills in coordinating agencies and community services that provide opportunities for students with multiple disabilities.
EDG 668: Advanced Principles of Behavior Management
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Theoretical perspectives, measurement systems, ecological inventories, functional behavior assessment, and positive and proactive behavior intervention plans.
EDG 669: Diagnostic and Prescriptive Teaching
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
Assessing functional skills; formal and informal assessment; portfolio assessment; adaptive approaches; teaching self-care and independent living skills, language skills, motor skills, social skills, and career skills; community-based instruction, transportation and mobility; encouraging student self-determination; and teaching for skill generalization.
EDS 588: Professional Laboratory Experiences
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3-6
Classroom field experience in added area of certification; individual project.
Tuition assistance is not guaranteed. To be eligible, students must be employed in a Kentucky public school district. For more information, visit kytraineeship.org.
