Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders Online

This online Ed.S. program prepares you for advanced roles in the field of special education working to address the needs of academically and behaviorally challenged students.

Apply by 10/8/26
Start class 10/21/26 Apply Now

Program Overview

What is the online Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders program at Northern Kentucky University?

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.

What skills will I gain from the online Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders program?

  • 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
What skills will I gain from the online Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders program?+
  • 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

What careers can you pursue with an online Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders program?

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Resource Teacher
  • Inclusion Teacher
  • Intervention Specialist
What careers can you pursue with an online Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders program?+
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Resource Teacher
  • Inclusion Teacher
  • Intervention Specialist

Online education programs also available:

Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of graduate education programs online. Check out our other quality online education programs.

Total Tuition Starts At $13,140*
Program Duration In as few as 18 months
Credit Hours As few as 30

Accreditation

CAEP Accredited

The Northern Kentucky University College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 800-985-7215

Call 800-985-7215

Tuition

How much does the online Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders program cost?

The Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Required Fees Total Program with Fees*
Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders $422 $ $13,140*

*This does not include the additional hours needed for certification.

Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.

Tuition Breakdown:

Total Tuition Starts At $13,140*
Per Credit Hour $422
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Recognized among the "Top Public Schools" by U.S. News & World Report, 2025

Calendar

How often does the online Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders program offer new start dates?

The Ed.S. – Learning & Behavior Disorders 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.

View full calendar +

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Fall 18/24/268/12/268/17/268/21/268/24/26
Fall 210/21/2610/8/2610/13/2610/16/2610/21/26
Spring 11/11/271/2/271/5/271/8/271/11/27
Spring 23/15/273/3/273/8/273/12/273/15/27
Summer 15/10/274/28/275/3/275/7/275/10/27
Summer 26/28/276/16/276/21/276/25/276/28/27

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 10/8/26
Class Starts 10/21/26
Apply Now

Admissions

What are the admission requirements for the online Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders program?

The admission process for the Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders online program is streamlined to help you get started right away.

Review the link here to determine eligibility of this program in your state.

Admission Requirements:

  • Official transcripts of all coursework from accredited institutions
  • Teaching certificate or out-of-state equivalent
  • 3.0 GPA or higher in all master's-level coursework
View all admission requirements +

Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders Online Admission Requirements

  • Complete online application for admission
  • Pay $40 non-refundable application fee
    • If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from accredited institution(s). 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 Education
302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099

[email protected]

Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.

Courses

What courses are in the online Ed.S. in Teaching & Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders curriculum?

For the Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Learning & Behavior Disorders 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.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks 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. This course should be taken in the second 7-week period of the same semester in which 704 is taken.
Duration: 7 Weeks 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. This class must be taken in the first 7-week of a semester and followed by 705.
Duration: 7 Weeks 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.
Duration: 7 Weeks 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.
Duration: 7 Weeks 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.
Duration: 7 Weeks 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. This class must be taken in the first 7-week of a semester and followed by 703.
Duration: 7 Weeks 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. This course should be taken in the second 7-week period of the same semester in which 702 is taken.

Students pursuing LBD certification must take all of the following courses. Students who are already LBD-certified must choose five of the following courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
Focuses on the development and implementation of a positive and proactive behavior intervention plan using on-going progress monitoring and data-based decision-making to determine intervention effectiveness. Candidates will utilize research-based strategies to demonstrate positive changes for students with mild to moderate disabilities. This is the second in a two-course sequence. Prerequisite(s): EDG 638
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
Principles of behavior analysis applied to individualized interventions for self-regulation skills of students with mild to moderate disabilities.  The focus is on writing problem definitions and functional behavior assessment for positive behavior intervention planning. This is the first half of a two- course sequence.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Information, skills, and resources for effective interaction with parents and families of children with disabilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks 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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Learning hierarchies in mathematics, cognitive processes, assessment and instructional techniques; concepts of the elementary school mathematics curriculum.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Definitions, etiological factors, assessment, and remedial approaches for learning and behavior disorders.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Principles, instruments, and procedures to place and plan instruction for students with learning or behavior disorders.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Instructional methods and techniques for designing and implementing effective teaching to meet the needs of students with mild disabilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Nature and needs of students with exceptionalities; overview of legal requirements and educational approaches.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Characteristics and educational programs for students who have intellectual disabilities or orthopedic and/or health impairments.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Characteristics of adolescents with learning and behavior disorders; educational programming for secondary students with mild disabilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3-6
Classroom field experience in added area of certification; individual project.

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