Alternative Certification in Special Education

Certification

Alternative Certification in Special Education

Missy Jones, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director

Purpose

The Alternative Certification in Special Education is designed to prepare individuals at the graduate level who do not currently hold teacher certification and have not completed a teacher preparation program, for a rewarding career as an educator working with children with disabilities. This is a non-degree teacher preparation and certification program at the graduate level and will lead to certification in either Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD) or Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD). Candidates who complete the alternative certification in special education program through NKU are eligible to apply a portion of this graduate coursework toward obtaining a Master of Arts of Education: Teacher as Leader.

Admission Requirements

Official transcripts from all institutions attended showing completion of at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework. Transcripts must include completion of a college level mathematics courses (not remedial level) with a C or better.
A criminal and federal background check.
Application
Upon being admitted, new teacher candidates will be expected to provide an offer of employment from a Kentucky school district in an LBD or MSD position, signed code of ethics for Kentucky School Personnel, College of Education, and the Council for Exceptional Children, curriculum contract, and mentorship agreement.

Learning and Behavior Disorders (P-12)

For LBD Certification: Completion of all courses (33 credit hours) and Praxis exams as required by KYEPSB

Moderate and Severe Disabilities (P-12)

If not certified in LBD (15 credit hours)

Candidate must complete the following courses or course equivalencies (15 credit hours) to pursue the moderate to severe certification:

If LBD certified (19-22 credit hours)

Moderate and Severe Disabilities for students who are currently LBD certified or have completed the prerequisite courses: