Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities Online
This accredited online Ed.S. program designed for working professionals prepares you to help meet the demand for qualified educators who are passionate about serving students with significant needs.
Program Overview
Get to know our 100% online moderate & severe disabilities Ed.S. program
Follow your calling in a high-demand field with the Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities (MSD) online degree at NKU. This 100% online teaching program prepares you to ensure that students can thrive while overcoming advanced intellectual disabilities or behavioral challenges.
In this online CAEP-accredited education 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 for a broad range of community educational services such as tutoring, respite care, day habilitation programs, residential facilities, and more. The curriculum includes clinical experiences and an embedded capstone project.
In this online accelerated education program, you will:
- Learn to apply transdisciplinary collaboration methods with agencies outside of school
- Deepen your knowledge of diagnostic and prescriptive teaching while studying language development and assistive technologies
- Prepare for Rank 1 teaching certification in Kentucky
- Learn from the same experienced faculty who teach on campus
- Learn to apply transdisciplinary collaboration methods with agencies outside of school
- Deepen your knowledge of diagnostic and prescriptive teaching while studying language development and assistive technologies
- Prepare for Rank 1 teaching certification in Kentucky
- Learn from the same experienced faculty who teach on campus
As a graduate of this online MSD degree program, you will have the tools and knowledge you need for advanced educational roles, including:
- MSD Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- Resource Teacher
- Inclusion Teacher
- Intervention Specialist
- MSD Teacher
- 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.
The Northern Kentucky University College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Tuition
Learn more about our affordable tuition
The Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included in the total cost.
Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. For additional information, visit the Financial Aid section on our FAQ page.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total Program with Fees* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities | $412 | $480 | $12,840* |
*This does not include the additional hours needed for certification.
Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.
Tuition Breakdown:
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Ranked among the “Top Public Colleges” by Forbes, 2022
Calendar
When to apply, when classes start, when tuition is due
The moderate & severe disabilities Ed.S. 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
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 1/3/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/10/25 | 1/13/25 |
| Spring 2 | 3/17/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/10/25 | 3/14/25 | 3/17/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/5/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/12/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/30/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/23/25 | 6/27/25 | 6/30/25 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
Follow the steps to being admitted into our online moderate & severe disabilities program
The admission process for the Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program is streamlined to help you get started right away.
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
Ed.S. in Teaching and Leading – Moderate & Severe Disabilities 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 Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Read about our online Ed.S. – moderate and severe disabilities classes
For the Ed.S. 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.
Students must take the following courses.
Students pursuing Moderate & Severe Disabilities certification must take the following additional courses:
