Overview
Introduction
The School of Education, Human Development, and Consumer Sciences (SEHDCS) 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, referred to as the MASPE program, is to increase the diminished supply of special education teachers by targeting qualified college graduates, including those with degrees in fields other than education. MASPE instructors will guide students through an intensive training and clinical experience, enabling them to become certified special education teachers and obtain a Master’s degree. The program is recognized by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). It 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 guided on how to succeed in an electronic educational environment, and they are provided with 24/7/365 support in accessing course content, instructors, and colleagues, wherever internet service is available.
The MASPE program comprises a series of carefully designed, interactive, accelerated coursework and field experiences. Each semester of coursework consists of two eight-week sessions, delivered through a variety of instructional electronic modalities. The online program requires 200 hours of field experiences before the final clinical experience (Initial Traditional route only); 100 field hours as are necessary 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 take place in an accredited public school classroom that contains students with Individualized 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 obtain approval from the Teacher Education Committee (TEC).
Option 6 Track
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Fall) | 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 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Term 2 (Spring) | ||
| 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 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Term 3 (Fall) | ||
| ESP 524 | Instructional Assessment Meth | 3 |
| ESP 525 | Inclusion, Collaboration/Advoc | 3 |
| ESP 526 | Prescriptive Teaching | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Advanced Track
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Fall) | 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 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Term 2 (Spring) | ||
| 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 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Term 3 (Fall) | ||
| ESP 524 | Instructional Assessment Meth | 3 |
| ESP 525 | Inclusion, Collaboration/Advoc | 3 |
| ESP 526 | Prescriptive Teaching | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Term 4 (Spring) | ||
| ESP 574 | Practicum II Special Education | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
Initial Track
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Fall) | 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 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Term 2 (Spring) | ||
| 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 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Term 3 (Fall) | ||
| ESP 524 | Instructional Assessment Meth | 3 |
| ESP 525 | Inclusion, Collaboration/Advoc | 3 |
| ESP 526 | Prescriptive Teaching | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Term 4 (Spring) | ||
| ESP 575 | Practicum III Special Educ | 12 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |