Program Overview
What Our Online Ed.S. – Learning & Behavior Disorders Degree Offers You
Influence a positive future for children with disabilities and exceptionalities with the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders (LBD) online degree from NKU. This 100% online program is the only nationally recognized education program of its kind in Kentucky and enables you to earn Rank 1 teaching certification.
Become a mentor for new LBD teachers and develop research and leadership skills to evaluate teaching practices and curriculum as well as position yourself for leadership opportunities in your school or district. In this online teaching program, you also will learn skills to become a better educator for students with diverse learning needs in the general education classroom. The curriculum includes clinical experiences and an embedded capstone project.
In this online LBD Teaching program, you will:
- Study procedures and methods for remedial learning and behavior disorders, intellectual and orthopedic disabilities, and educational assessment techniques
- Conduct and report the results of a research project reflecting synthesis and application of knowledge acquired in prior coursework to address a specific educational issue
- Gain a working understanding of legislation and instructional practices relating to the education of students with exceptionalities
- Learn from the same experienced faculty who teach on campus
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?
Online Education Programs Also Available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of graduate education programs online. Check out our other quality online education programs.
Tuition
Find Out How and When to Pay Your Tuition
The Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – LBD online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders | $400 | $480 | $12,480* |
*This does not include any additional hours needed for certification.
NKU is ranked among “The Best Online Colleges in Kentucky” by TheBestSchools.org (2020)
Calendar
NKU Online Dates and Deadlines
The Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – LBD online program is convenient and flexible, featuring six start dates on an accelerated course schedule. View the calendar to find the best start date for you and be sure to note all corresponding deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | 08/22/2022 | 08/10/2022 | 08/15/2022 | 08/19/2022 | 08/22/2022 | 10/07/2022 |
| Fall 2 | 10/19/2022 | 10/06/2022 | 10/11/2022 | 10/14/2022 | 10/19/2022 | 12/09/2022 |
| Spring 1 | 01/09/2023 | 01/03/2023 | 01/05/2023 | 01/06/2023 | 01/09/2023 | 02/24/2023 |
| Spring 2 | 03/13/2023 | 03/01/2023 | 03/06/2023 | 03/09/2023 | 03/13/2023 | 04/28/2023 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
See What You Need to Know Before Applying
The admission process for the Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – LBD online program is streamlined to help you get started right away. Before you apply, please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state. The admission requirements include:
View full admission requirements
Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – LBD Online 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 coursework from accredited institutions. One transcript must show successful completion of a master's degree in education or in the content area of the applicant's teaching certificate.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in master's-level coursework
- Teaching Certificate: Submit a copy of current teaching certificate showing certification at the Rank 2 level or out-of-state equivalent. New teachers in Kentucky may submit a Kentucky Statement of Eligibility.
- Supplemental application
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
Read About Our Online Learning & Behavior Disorders Classes
For the Ed.S. – Teaching and Leading – LBD online program, students who already hold certification must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. For students seeking certification, an additional 19-21 credit hours are required, for a total of 49-51 credit hours.
Students must take the following courses. Note: EDG 702 and EDG 703 must each be taken twice.
EDG 667: Collaboration & Inclusive Practices
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Legislation and instructional practices relating to the education of students with exceptionalities. Course covers various methods of co-teaching as well as locating, adapting, and developing materials and methods for including students with disabilities in general elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms.
EDG 701: Supervision of Field & Clinical Experience
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the role of the cooperating teacher in developing and mentoring prospective teachers and interns and standards-based observation and feedback. This course includes a job-embedded requirement of supervising a student in field or clinical experience.
EDG 605: Introduction to Research Methods
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to education research enabling candidates to become effective consumers and users of research in education. It will improve candidates’ ability to apply research findings appropriately in school settings and will lay a foundation for an original action research project.
EDG 702: Research Based Teaching
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1.5
In this course students will conduct a comprehensive literature review on a topic that relates to a specific educational issue that impacts P-12 student learning and create a research-based design of an action research project that can be conducted and reported as their capstone project. Course will be taken twice.
EDG 703: Capstone in Action Research
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1.5
In this course students will conduct and report the results of an research project reflecting synthesis and application of knowledge acquired in prior coursework to address a specific educational issue leading to enhanced P-12 student learning, including data analysis, written summary of research findings, and poster presentation. Course will be taken twice.
Students pursuing LBD certification must take the following courses. Students who are already LBD-certified must choose five of the following courses. For EDG 630 and EDG 666, consult your advisor if you have taken similar courses previously.
EDG 664: Procedures and Methods for Remedial Learning and Behavior Disorders
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Instructional methods and techniques for designing and implementing effective teaching to meet the needs of students with mild disabilities.
EDS 572: Secondary Special Education Programs
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Characteristics of adolescents with learning and behavior disorders; educational programming for secondary students with mild disabilities.
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.
EDG 630: Language and Learning Across the Curriculum
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Current views of literacy; theories of literacy; approaches, methods, and materials of reading assessment, planning, and instruction. Required for standard elementary certification.
EDG 660: Learning and Behavior Disorders
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Definitions, etiological factors, assessment, and remedial approaches for learning and behavior disorders.
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.
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.
EDG 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 658: Assessment Techniques for P-12 Mathematics
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Learning hierarchies in mathematics, cognitive processes, assessment and instructional techniques; concepts of the elementary school mathematics curriculum.
EDS 588: Professional Laboratory Experiences
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3-6
Classroom field experience in added area of certification; individual project.
