Master of Arts in Special Education with Certification (LBD, P-12)
Introduction
The School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) offers an online program for the Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education with Certification in Learning and Behavior Disorders (P-12). The intent of this program, which is referred to as the MASPE program, is to increase the diminished supply of special education teachers by targeting qualified college graduates, including those whose degree is in fields other than education. MASPE instructors will guide students to move expeditiously through an intensive training and clinical experience, to become certified special education teachers, and obtain a Master’s degree. The program is recognized by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and provides students three different distinct routes for a special education certification (Option 6-Initial alternative certification, Initial traditional certification, and Advanced traditional certification). Option 6 – alternative certification opportunity for those who wish to serve as Temporary Provisional (CA-TP) certified teachers in Special Education classrooms throughout the Commonwealth. It is designed specifically to lead to teacher certification in the area of Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD, P-12). Initial traditional certification is designed for individuals who are not certified teachers but seek initial teaching certification in LBD. Advanced traditional certification is designed for individuals who are certified in another area may seek an “add-on” certification in LBD. When successful graduates of this program are employed as teachers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, they are classified and compensated as Rank II.
The MASPE program is founded on personal student support, high expectations, relevant and practical experiences, and distance learning technology. From the beginning, candidates are monitored in how to succeed in an electronic educational environment and they are provided 24/7/365 support in accessing course content, instructors, and colleagues from wherever internet service is available.
The MASPE program consists of a series of carefully designed, interactive accelerated coursework and field experiences. Each semester of coursework consists of two eight-week sessions that are delivered utilizing a variety of instructional electronic modalities. The online program requires 200 hours of field experiences prior to the final clinical experience (Initial Traditional route only); 100 field hours required for the Advanced program. The only difference in requirements for students with varying experiential backgrounds is the final clinical course.
All students except option 6 candidates are required to complete a practicum/student teaching experience (ESP 574 Practicum II Special Education or ESP 575 Practicum III Special Educ). Each experience must be in an accredited public school classroom which contains students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in the area of Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD). Each student must apply for permission to enroll in the Practicum/Student Teaching course and be approved by the Teacher Education Committee (TEC). Applications for Practicum/Student Teaching, including all supporting evidence, must be submitted to the SEHD office in Hathaway Hall Room 108 by the deadline of the semester prior to the semester he or she wishes to complete the practicum experience (Fall Deadline: October 15th; Spring Deadline: March 15th).
The following courses are required:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ESP 502 | Legal/Parental Iss in Spec Ed | 3 |
| ESP 504 | Theories Reading/Educ Pract | 3 |
| ESP 505 | Teach Math Child/Youth Lrn Dis | 3 |
| ESP 507 | Intro to Special Education | 3 |
| ESP 510 | Curr/Meth in Learn Behav Dis | 3 |
| ESP 511 | Meth/Strat Behav Management | 3 |
| ESP 515 | Research in Special Education | 3 |
| ESP 523 | Individual with LD | 3 |
| ESP 524 | Instructional Assessment Meth | 3 |
| ESP 525 | Inclusion, Collaboration/Advoc | 3 |
| ESP 526 | Prescriptive Teaching | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Practicum II Special Education (for advanced certification) | ||
| Practicum III Special Educ (for traditional initial certification) | ||
Check Point I: Admission to Master of Arts in Special Education (Initial Traditional route) EPP
- A completed online application
- A bachelor’s degree or advanced degree awarded by a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale; or A grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework;
- Once admitted to the program, the candidate will review, sign, and return page 2 of the Curriculum Ladder indicating that they have read the Praxis disclaimer and the Professional Code of Ethics.
The following courses are required to graduate
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ESP 502 | Legal/Parental Iss in Spec Ed | 3 |
| ESP 504 | Theories Reading/Educ Pract | 3 |
| ESP 505 | Teach Math Child/Youth Lrn Dis | 3 |
| ESP 507 | Intro to Special Education | 3 |
| ESP 510 | Curr/Meth in Learn Behav Dis | 3 |
| ESP 511 | Meth/Strat Behav Management | 3 |
| ESP 515 | Research in Special Education | 3 |
| ESP 523 | Individual with LD | 3 |
| ESP 524 | Instructional Assessment Meth | 3 |
| ESP 525 | Inclusion, Collaboration/Advoc | 3 |
| ESP 526 | Prescriptive Teaching | 3 |
| ESP 575 | Practicum III Special Educ (70 Days of Student Teaching) | 12 |
Check Point II: Admission to Clinical Practice
- Completion of all course work with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above;
- 200 field hours recorded in KFETS and documentation to support the field hours;
- Pass Praxis II
- Dispositions Assessment/Field Experience Assessments
- Any other requirements set by the program
Check Point III – Program Completion
- Cumulative GPA 3.0
- Successful Completion of a clinical practice course (70 days)
- Complete CA-1 for KY License
- Program Evaluation and Dispositions Assessment
- Completion of Exit Survey
After Program Completion
- Alumni Follow-up Survey
Check Point I: Admission to Master of Arts in Special Education (Option 6 route) EPP
- A completed online application
- A bachelor’s degree or advanced degree awarded by a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale; or a grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework;
- Job offer from a Kentucky school for an LBD classroom assignment.
- Once admitted to the program, the candidate will review, sign, and return page 2 of the Curriculum Ladder indicating that they have read the Praxis disclaimer and the Professional Code of Ethics.
The following courses are required to graduate:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ESP 502 | Legal/Parental Iss in Spec Ed | 3 |
| ESP 504 | Theories Reading/Educ Pract | 3 |
| ESP 505 | Teach Math Child/Youth Lrn Dis | 3 |
| ESP 507 | Intro to Special Education | 3 |
| ESP 510 | Curr/Meth in Learn Behav Dis | 3 |
| ESP 511 | Meth/Strat Behav Management | 3 |
| ESP 515 | Research in Special Education | 3 |
| ESP 523 | Individual with LD | 3 |
| ESP 524 | Instructional Assessment Meth | 3 |
| ESP 525 | Inclusion, Collaboration/Advoc | 3 |
| ESP 526 | Prescriptive Teaching | 3 |
- Option 6 students will receive Mentor, Principal and University Observations before graduation
Check Point II – Program Completion
- Completion of all course work with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above;
- Pass Praxis II;
- Cumulative GPA 3.0;
- Complete CA-1 for KY License;
- Program Evaluation and Dispositions Assessment;
- Completion of Exit Survey.
After Program Completion
- Alumni Follow-up Survey
Check Point I: Admission to Master of Arts in Special Education (Advanced) EPP
- A completed online application
- Hold a statement of eligibility or an initial certificate issued by Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).
- If you hold an initial certificate from another state earned through an approved program and have taught for at least 2 years under that certificate, please contact EPSB and inquire about KY certification.
- If you hold an initial certificate from another state earned through an approved program and have not taught for at least 2 years under your certification, please contact EPSB for options regarding KY certification.
- A minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale or a grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and/or graduate coursework;
- Once admitted to the program, the candidate will review, sign, and return page 2 of the Curriculum Ladder indicating that they have read the Praxis disclaimer and the Professional Code of Ethics.
The following courses are required to graduate:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ESP 502 | Legal/Parental Iss in Spec Ed | 3 |
| ESP 504 | Theories Reading/Educ Pract | 3 |
| ESP 505 | Teach Math Child/Youth Lrn Dis | 3 |
| ESP 507 | Intro to Special Education | 3 |
| ESP 510 | Curr/Meth in Learn Behav Dis | 3 |
| ESP 511 | Meth/Strat Behav Management | 3 |
| ESP 515 | Research in Special Education | 3 |
| ESP 523 | Individual with LD | 3 |
| ESP 524 | Instructional Assessment Meth | 3 |
| ESP 525 | Inclusion, Collaboration/Advoc | 3 |
| ESP 526 | Prescriptive Teaching | 3 |
| ESP 574 | Practicum II Special Education | 6 |
Check Point II: Admission to Clinical Practice
- Completion of all course work with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above;
- 100 field hours recorded in KFETS and documentation to support the field hours;
- Pass Praxis II
- Dispositions Assessment/Field Experience Assessments
- Any other requirements set by the program
Check Point III – Program Completion
- Cumulative GPA 3.0
- Successful Completion of a clinical practice course
- Complete CA-1 for KY License
- Program Evaluation and Dispositions Assessment
- Completion of Exit Survey
After Program Completion
- Alumni Follow-up Survey