Master of Arts in Education – Teacher as Leader in Learning & Behavior Disorders Online

This online master's program is designed to give you a solid foundation in the theory and pedagogy needed to support all learners, with an option to pursue certification.

Apply by 1/3/25
Start class 1/13/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

What our online learning and behavior disorders (LBD ) master’s program offers you

Grow your leadership impact on student learning in your classroom and school while serving students with learning and behavior disorders in the NKU Master of Arts in Education – Teacher as Leader in Learning & Behavior Disorders (LBD) online program.

Taught by the same dedicated faculty who teach on campus, this education master’s program promotes the knowledge and skill sets needed to advance the quality of services and educational programs for students with disabilities. Choose to achieve Rank 2 certification in Kentucky or select the non-certification option in special education and prepare to work as a leader and change agent in P-12 school settings.

In this online learning & behavior disorders program, you will:

  • Learn skills to become a better teacher for students with diverse learning needs in the general education classroom
  • Study the principles and procedures needed to plan instruction for students with learning or behavior disorders
  • Explore instructional methods and techniques for designing and implementing effective teaching to meet the needs of students with mild disabilities
  • Develop materials and methods for the inclusion of students with disabilities in general elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms
  • Learn skills to become a better teacher for students with diverse learning needs in the general education classroom
  • Study the principles and procedures needed to plan instruction for students with learning or behavior disorders
  • Explore instructional methods and techniques for designing and implementing effective teaching to meet the needs of students with mild disabilities
  • Develop materials and methods for the inclusion of students with disabilities in general elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms

As a graduate of this online program, you will have the tools and knowledge you need for advanced educational roles, including:

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Resource Teacher
  • Inclusion Teacher
  • Intervention Specialist
  • 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.

Some programs may be TEACH Grant eligible. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information.**

Total Tuition Starts At $12,840*
Program Duration 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).

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Need More Information?

Call 800-985-7215

Call 800-985-7215

Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

Our M.A.Ed. – Teacher Leader – LBD online program features the same affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition for all students, no matter where you live.

Tuition Breakdown:

Total Tuition Starts At $12,840*
Per Credit Hour $412
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“Top Public College”

Ranked among the “Top Public Colleges” by Forbes, 2022

Calendar

Explore important dates you need to know

With six start dates a year, the learning & behavior disorders online master’s program is flexible and convenient. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, along with corresponding deadlines.

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Fall 210/16/2410/3/2410/8/2410/11/2410/16/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/7/251/10/251/13/25
Spring 23/17/253/5/253/10/253/14/253/17/25
Summer 15/12/254/30/255/5/255/9/255/12/25
Summer 26/30/256/18/256/23/256/27/256/30/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 1/3/25
Class Starts 1/13/25
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Admissions

See the qualifications for our online LBD program

The admission process is the first step toward pursuing your M.A.Ed. Teacher as Leader – Learning & Behavior Disorders online.

Admission Requirements:

  • Official transcripts of all coursework from accredited institutions
  • 2.75 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Valid teaching certificate or out-of-state equivalent

M.A.Ed. Teacher as Leader – 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 (if applicable) coursework from accredited institution(s)
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA
  • Teaching Certificate: Submit a copy of current teaching certificate or out-of-state equivalent. New teachers in Kentucky may submit a Kentucky Statement of Eligibility.
  • Submit official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (general test) taken within the past five years
    • The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, and for applicants who have already earned a master's degree from an accredited institution
  • Teacher as Leader Admission Agreement: Print, sign, and submit the Teacher as Leader Admission Agreement to the Office of Graduate Education
  • 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

Advance your knowledge in the online master's in education – teacher as leader LBD classes

In order to earn the M.A.Ed. Teacher as Leader – Learning & Behavior Disorders online program, students not seeking certification must complete 10 courses, comprising 30 credit hours. For students seeking certification, an additional 18-21 credit hours are required—for a total of 48-51 credit hours.

Students must take the following courses:

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to school leadership. Students will engage in a thorough investigation of contemporary leadership research, scholarship, theory, and practice. This course will introduce the concept of “transformative” change in schools, classrooms, and in individuals. Participants will create personal and professional growth plans to enhance their effectiveness.
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
Research, theory, policy, and practice in multicultural and diversity education; recognizing race, class, gender, learning, and linguistic diversity within home, schools, and community settings; developing and demonstrating culturally relevant and responsive approaches to meeting the needs of students.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Orientation to the Master of Arts in Education program including graduate policies and procedures, selection of a specialization/endorsement, advising services, certification, educator dispositions, professional behaviors, online learning, and the action research sequence.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Research-based best practices and models of instructional design to meet the needs of all learners in a school setting.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 0.5
This course examines various aspects of conducting applied educational research. Students will complete a research project addressing a specific educational issue leading to enhanced P-12 student learning, including data analysis, written summary of research findings, and present their findings to faculty and peers. This class must be taken in the first 7-week of a semester and followed by 692.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 0.5
This course examines various aspects of conducting applied educational research. Students will complete a research project addressing a specific educational issue leading to enhanced P-12 student learning, including data analysis, written summary of research findings, and present their findings to faculty and peers. This course should be taken in the second 7-week period of the same semester in which 691 is taken.

Students must take the following courses:

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
Principles of behavior analysis applied to curriculum, methodology, and management of students with disabilities; behavioral teaching methods contrasted with alternative management techniques.
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
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 delves into critical issues of access and equity for contemporary US college students, examining the evolving demographics and characteristics of this population. Participants analyze challenges and opportunities, exploring strategies to enhance inclusivity and address disparities in higher education, fostering a deeper understanding of student experiences. 
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
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.

Students pursuing Learning & Behavior Disorders certification must take the following additional courses:

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
Principles, instruments, and procedures to place and plan instruction for students with learning or behavior disorders.
Duration: 7 Weeks 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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Information, skills, and resources for effective interaction with parents and families of children with disabilities.

** The maximum grant amount can vary by year. TEACH Grants are available to qualified applicants and require approved recipients to sign a service agreement for certain teaching service obligations for four academic years. If obligations are not met within eight years after graduation, the grant will turn into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that must be repaid with all accrued interest from the date of disbursement. For more information, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach or contact the NKU Financial Aid Office.

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