Program Overview
Grow your 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 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 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
The educator preparation programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Have questions or need more information about our online 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.*
Tuition
Our MAEd – Teacher Leader – LBD online program features the same affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition for all students, no matter where you live.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Education – Teacher Leader – Learning & Behavior Disorders | $400 | $480 | Starts at $12,480* |
*This does not include the additional hours needed for certification.
NKU has been ranked among “America’s Top Colleges” by Forbes magazine for 11 years in a row (2019).
Calendar
With six start dates a year, the MAEd – Teacher Leader – LBD online program is flexible and convenient. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, along with corresponding deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| First Starts | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2 | 10/14/20 | 10/01/20 | 10/06/20 | 10/09/20 | 10/14/20 | 12/04/20 |
| Spring 1 | 01/11/21 | 01/04/21 | 01/06/21 | 01/08/21 | 01/11/21 | 02/26/21 |
| Spring 2 | 03/15/21 | 03/03/21 | 03/08/21 | 03/11/21 | 03/15/21 | 04/30/21 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
The admission process is the first step toward pursuing your MAEd – Teacher as Leader in Learning & Behavior Disorders online. Requirements include:
View full admission requirements
MAEd – Teacher as Leader in Learning & Behavior Disorders Online Admission 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 (if applicable) coursework from regionally accredited institutions
- 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 a regionally 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 Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
In order to earn the MAEd – Teacher Leader – LBD online, 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:
EDG 607: Orientation to MAED Teacher as Leader
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 0
Orientation to the Master of Arts in Education Teacher as Leader 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.
EDA 602: Leadership in Schools, Organizations, and Community
Duration: 7 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.
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 606: Leadership in a Diverse Society
Duration: 7 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.
EDG 615: Instructional Design and Curriculum
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Research-based best practices and models of instructional design to meet the needs of all learners in a school setting.
EDG 691: Applied Action Research I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 2
(Students will repeat this course for a total of 2 credit hours: two 7-week sessions)
Methods and skills needed to design, conduct, interpret and apply action research to address issues in classrooms and schools through data driven decision making; develop a research proposal related to a specific P-12 educational issues, secure permission from a local educational agency to conduct research, comply with regulations related to human subjects research, and develop an implementation plan for the proposed research project.
EDG 692: Applied Action Research II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
(Students will repeat this course for a total of 1 credit hour: two 7-week sessions.)
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.
Students must take the following courses:
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 630: Language and Learning Across the Curriculum
Duration: 7 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.
EDG 660: Learning and Behavior Disorders
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Definitions, etiological factors, assessment, and remedial approaches for learning and behavior disorders.
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 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.
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.
EDG 664: Procedures and Methods for Remedial Learning and Behavior Disorders
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Instructional methods and techniques for designing and implementing effective teaching to meet the needs of students with mild disabilities.
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 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.
EDS 572: Secondary Special Education Programs
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Characteristics of adolescents with learning and behavior disorders; educational programming for secondary students with mild disabilities.
EDG 658: Assessment Techniques for P-12 Mathematics
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Learning hierarchies in mathematics, cognitive processes, assessment and instructional techniques; concepts of the elementary school mathematics curriculum.
EDS 588: Professional Laboratory Experiences
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3-6
Classroom field experience in added area of certification; individual project.
*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.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/teach or contact the NKU Financial Aid Office.
