Master of Arts in Education – Teacher as Leader in Moderate & Severe Disabilities Online
This online graduate program gives you the understanding and instructional tools to meet the needs of students who require significant support in an academic environment.
Program Overview
Discover NKU’s online moderate and severe disabilities (MSD) 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 MSD teaching 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
- 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
As a graduate of this M.A.Ed. online program, you will be prepared to serve in a variety of roles, such as:
- Behavioral Specialist
- Independent Practitioner
- Teacher Coach
- Department Lead
- Behavioral Specialist
- Independent Practitioner
- Teacher Coach
- Department Lead
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.**
Accreditation
The Northern Kentucky University College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Tuition
Pay for your online education program by the course
Our M.A.Ed. Teacher as Leader – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program features the same affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition for all students, no matter where you live.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total Program with Fees* |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A.Ed. Teacher as Leader – Moderate & Severe Disabilities | $412 | $480 | Starts at $12,840* |
*This does not include the additional hours needed for certification.
Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.
Tuition Breakdown:
“Top Public College”
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 M.A.Ed. Teacher as Leader – Moderate & Severe Disabilities online program is flexible and convenient. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, along with corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Fall 1 | 8/18/25 | 8/6/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/15/25 | 8/18/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/15/25 | 10/2/25 | 10/7/25 | 10/10/25 | 10/15/25 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
See the qualifications for our online MSD program
The admission process is the first step to earning your M.A.Ed. Teacher as Leader – Moderate & Severe Disabilities degree.
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 – 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 (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 Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Dive into our online moderate and severe disabilities (MSD) teaching program
For the M.A.Ed. – 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.
** 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.
