Overview
Follow your calling in a high-demand field with the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities (MSD). This 100% online program prepares you to ensure that students can thrive while overcoming advanced intellectual disabilities or behavioral challenges.
In this program, you will develop new teaching techniques and strategies along with behavioral management skills for children with the most severe academic impairments. Gain credentials for leadership roles in schools or a broad range of community educational services such as tutoring, respite care, day habilitation programs, residential facilities, and more.
Deepen your knowledge of diagnostic and prescriptive teaching while studying language development and assistive technologies. Learn to apply transdisciplinary collaboration methods with agencies outside of school. The curriculum includes clinical experiences and an embedded capstone project. Learn from the same faculty who teach on campus, and prepare for Rank I teaching certification in Kentucky.
Courses
In order to earn the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. For students seeking certification, an additional 19-22 credit hours are required, for a total of up to 52 credit hours.
To see the full list of online courses for this program, view courses.
Admissions
Take the first step toward achieving the degree you've been dreaming of. We streamlined the process to make it as quick and easy as possible for you. Admission requirements for the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program include a minimum 3.0 GPA and a valid Rank II teaching certificate.
To learn more about the admission requirements for this program, view admissions.
Please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.
Tuition
Tuition for the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program starts at $12,480, depending on the total number of credit hours required. The graduate application fee is $40. Tuition is the same for students living inside or outside Kentucky and can be paid by the course. All fees are included in the total tuition cost.
To learn more about the tuition for this program, view tuition.
Calendar
With multiple start dates each year, the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program is convenient and accessible. After selecting the desired start date, students should consider deadlines for completing an application, turning in all required documentation, registering for classes, and paying tuition.
To see the full calendar of upcoming start dates for this program, view calendar.
[close-]Courses
For the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program, students who already hold certification must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. For students seeking certification, an additional 19-22 credit hours are required, for a total of 49-52 credit hours.
Students must take the following courses. EDG 702 and EDG 703 must be taken twice to receive full credit.
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 must take the following courses.
EDS 588: Professional Laboratory Experiences
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3-6
Classroom field experience in added area of certification; individual project.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
Students who do not hold LBD certification must take the following additional courses.
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 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.
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 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 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.
Admissions
The admission process is the first step toward earning your degree online. Find out the requirements for the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online, what additional materials you should send, and where you need to send them.
Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities Online 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 regionally 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 II level or out-of-state equivalent. New teachers in Kentucky may submit a Kentucky Statement of Eligibility
- Supplemental application
If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Or email documentation to graduate@nku.edu
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215 800-985-7215.
[close-]Tuition
The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing an Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online. The tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities | $400 | $480 | $12,480* |
*This does not include any additional hours needed for certification.
[close-]Calendar
For the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities Online
| First Starts | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Registration Deadline | Document Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day | Registration Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 01/13/20 | 01/02/20 | 01/09/20 | 01/06/20 | 01/13/20 | 02/28/20 | 10/31/19 |
| Spring 2 | 03/16/20 | 03/04/20 | 03/12/20 | 03/09/20 | 03/16/20 | 05/01/20 | 10/31/19 |
| Summer 1 | 05/11/20 | 04/29/20 | 05/07/20 | 05/04/20 | 05/11/20 | 06/26/20 | TBD |
| Summer 2 | 06/29/20 | 06/17/20 | 06/25/20 | 06/22/20 | 06/29/20 | 08/14/20 | TBD |
