Program Overview
Discover NKU’s Online Moderate and Severe Disabilities Master’s Program
Develop the knowledge and skills to ensure that students with moderate and severe disabilities reach their learning potential by earning your Master of Arts in Education – Teacher as Leader in Moderate & Severe Disabilities (MSD) online from NKU. This 100% online program is designed to prepare you to work with students with intellectual disabilities that impede academic achievement and adaptive behavior skills.
Study how to assess students with MSD and learn how to design differentiated instruction based on their needs. You will also learn behavioral management skills for children with the most significant disabilities and how to collaborate with teachers and parents to develop effective strategies to enhance student learning.
Taught by the same dedicated faculty who teach on campus, this online master’s in education program will prepare you to work in a variety of roles, such as teaching in self-contained settings and resource classes as well as co-teaching with general education teachers.
In this online education master’s program, you will:
- Gain a strong foundation of special education theory, methods, and practical teaching experience
- Understand the field of special education, including legislation and litigation that has affected the rights of individuals with disabilities
- Learn the nature and needs of students with exceptionalities and the characteristics of students who have intellectual disabilities or orthopedic and/or health impairments
- Study principles of behavior analysis applied to curriculum, methodology, and management of students with disabilities
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?
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.*
Tuition
Pay for Your Online Education Program by the Course
Our MAEd – Teacher Leader – MSD 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 – Moderate and Severe Disabilities | $412 | $480 | Starts at $12,840* |
Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
*This does not include the additional hours needed for certification.
Ranked among the “Top Public Colleges” by Forbes, 2022
Calendar
When to Apply, When Classes Start, When Tuition Is Due
With six start dates a year, the MAEd – Teacher Leader – MSD online program is flexible and convenient. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, along with corresponding deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 05/08/2023 | 04/26/2023 | 05/01/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 05/08/2023 | 06/23/2023 |
| Summer 2 | 06/26/2023 | 06/14/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/22/2023 | 06/26/2023 | 08/11/2023 |
| Fall 1 | 08/21/2023 | 08/09/2023 | 08/14/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/2023 | 10/05/2023 | 10/10/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 10/18/2023 | 12/08/2023 |
| Spring 1 | 01/08/2024 | 01/02/2024 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/202$ |
| Spring 2 | 03/11/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/04/2024 | 03/08/2024 | 03/11/2024 | 04/26/2024 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
Read the Details of Our Admissions Criteria
The admission process is the first step to earning your degree online. Requirements of the MAEd – Teacher Leader – MSD online program include:
View full admission requirements
MAEd – Teacher Leader – MSD 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 an 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 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 Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Dive into the Online Master’s in Education – MSD Teacher Curriculum
For the MAEd – Teacher Leader – MSD online program, students who already hold certification and are seeking a non-certification degree must complete 12 courses for a total 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:
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:
EDS 551: Assistive Technology in the Classroom
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Evaluating for assistive technology; approaches and devices for communication, mobility, and sensory impairments; distances learning technology for transition to the community and post school careers.
EDG 653: Language Development of Students with Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Theories of language development; teaching functional communication skills; skills necessary for pre interactions; assistive technology and communication; teaching conversational skills.
EDG 665: Transdisciplinary Collaboration
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Knowledge of and skills in coordinating agencies and community services that provide opportunities for students with multiple disabilities.
EDG 668: Advanced Principles of Behavior Management
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Theoretical perspectives, measurement systems, ecological inventories, functional behavior assessment, and positive and proactive behavior intervention plans.
EDG 669: Diagnostic and Prescriptive Teaching
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 4
Assessing functional skills; formal and informal assessment; portfolio assessment; adaptive approaches; teaching self-care and independent living skills, language skills, motor skills, social skills, and career skills; community-based instruction, transportation and mobility; encouraging student self-determination; and teaching for skill generalization.
EDS 588: Professional Laboratory Experiences
Duration: 7 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:
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.
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.
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.
*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.
