As a dedicated educator, you may be interested in pursuing positions where you will be teaching students with disabilities and exceptionalities or positions of leadership in curriculum and instruction development. Earning an online Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) will provide you with the skills and competencies required to meet your professional goals.
Northern Kentucky University has developed five Education Specialist (Ed.S.) programs for licensed teachers who have the desire to expand their influence in the field of education. Each program is:
- 100% online
- Offered with multiple start dates
- Convenient and accessible anywhere you have an internet connection
- Taught by the same faculty as on-campus programs
- Designed to prepare individuals for leadership roles with the potential to achieve higher earnings
Although the coursework in each program incorporates real-world experience and an embedded capstone project, each has a unique focus and distinct requirements. Your choices range from leadership in curriculum design and development to behavior analysis or special education — including programs focused on learning and behavior disorders and moderate and severe disabilities. With additional coursework, you can earn special education certification.
1. Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Curriculum & Instruction
NKU’s online Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Curriculum & Instruction program is designed for those interested in leadership in curriculum development and design. In as few as 18 months, the program will enhance your teaching practice by helping you develop strategies, effective teaching approaches, program evaluation methods, student assessment techniques and professional development skills. The program prepares you to construct curriculum that creates positive changes in student achievement at the local, regional, state and federal levels of education.
2. Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis
If you would like to broaden your skill set in working with students with autism, NKU’s online Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Autism & Applied Behavior Analysis program provides the expertise to help influence positive change for this group of learners. The program also provides a pathway to a Rank I designation on your Kentucky teaching certificate and to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), allowing you to work as a learning behavior specialist in environments beyond the public school system, such as institutions, community agencies or as an independent practitioner.
3. Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Special Education
NKU’s online Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Special Education program equips educators with the skills to make a positive impact on students with learning exceptionalities and to build toward a Rank I teaching certification in Kentucky. In this program, you will develop expertise in student assessment for those with learning and behavior disorders, customizing lesson plans for their success, applying appropriate methodology and management techniques, analyzing legal requirements and educational approaches, and learning applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques appropriate for all students.
4. Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities (MSD)
If your calling is to work with students with severe academic challenges, consider the online Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities (MSD) program. Core courses in this 100% online program include best practices in collaboration, inclusion and research, as well as a capstone project. Graduates of this program can partner with families of students with significant disabilities to improve their educational experience.
The program will prepare you to guide students toward overcoming significant intellectual disabilities or behavioral challenges. Upon completion of the program, you will be qualified for a Rank I teaching certification in Kentucky and ready for leadership roles in both academic and community settings, including tutoring, respite care, day habilitation programs and residential facilities.
5. Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders (LBD)
NKU’s online Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD) program allows individuals to directly impact educational models for students with disabilities and exceptionalities. This program prepares educators to become mentors for new LBD teachers.
You will develop research and leadership skills to assess teaching practices and curriculum as you take on a leadership position in your school or district. The program teaches procedures and methods for addressing learning and behavior disorders, intellectual and orthopedic disabilities, educational assessment techniques, and more.
Learn more about Northern Kentucky University’s online Education Specialist programs.
