Start a rewarding career teaching students with our initial teacher certification in special education.
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Program Details
Next Start Date: 10/16/2023
Course Length: 8 Weeks
Estimated Length: 18 months
M.A. Special Education Initial Cert. Overview
Campbellsville University’s online master’s in special education will prepare you for a rewarding career as a special education teacher. You will learn the necessary skills and knowledge to work with students and gain certification to teach in Kentucky. Additionally, you will gain insight into modern trends that are changing special education, including those involving technology. The program is taught by faculty members who have real-world experience in special education.
Through our special education certification online program, you will learn fundamentals of teaching while learning the history of education, as well as the basics to special education while reviewing a case study. In addition, you will explore how to develop lesson plans that include safe behavior interventional strategies that will help improve a student’s behavioral challenges. The program examines curriculum methods for learning and behavioral disorders, behavior and classroom management, educational technology and how to create prescriptive teaching plans.
Available in either Traditional or Option 6, Option 6 is for special education teacher while completing coursework. With the traditional format, you will complete an additional 12 hours of student teaching in which you will complete a videotaped lesson and receive feedback from your professor and a supervising teacher.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Campbellsville’s education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and are approved by the Education Professional Standards Board of Kentucky (EPSB) for teacher education and certification. The fully online certificate offers the flexibility and convenience of being able to complete coursework when it best fits your schedule.
Course Map
The MA in special education alternative certification online program provides initial teacher certification in 39-48 credit hours and can take as little as 18 months to complete.
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Take all of the following:
ED 500: Human Growth and Development
This course is designed to familiarize pre-service teachers with theory and practice that identifies strategies for promoting the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth of children and adolescents. Three core developmental issues will be examined – the relationship between biological and environmental influences on development, universality and diversity of developmental changes, and the qualitative and quantitative nature of developmental change from a chronological perspective.
ED 502: Human Growth and Development
Students develop a TPA unit of study. They design a PowerPoint presentation based on Webliography, create a Microsoft Excel Grade Book, and develop different rubrics. Students are introduced to KTS 6 in Introduction to Education and Technology courses and located in multimedia classroom with access to personal computers with internet services. Web Quest assignments require use of the internet to create a website indicating how to use technology to help students learn. Also uses PowerPoint/World Wide Web/SmartBoard. The course requires reflection on assigned readings and collaboration in small groups regarding KTIP lesson plans and unit development. Finally, students will develop a professional growth plan.
ED 503: Introduction to Special Education
A three hour course where students are given a case study to review. Students will be expected to use the appropriate KDE eligibility form and the KDE IEP form to produce an accurate representation of the eligibility to support the correctly filled out IEP form for the student represented in the case study. Students will develop a Professional Growth Plan, use assistive technology from the KDE web site, reflection on field experience, and reflect on a professional growth plan.
ED 606: Educational Technology
This course explores instructional technology as hands on aids to teaching and learning. Included is instruction in the usage of various technologies with linked learning elements such as developmental and cognitive change in the classroom.
SED 504: Emotional Disturbances and Behavioral Disorders
Involves developing a lesson plan in a content area of choice. Write reflections of field experiences noting what effect the classroom had on creating and maintaining a positive learning environment. Include in the plan behavior interventional strategies to improve student/s behavioral challenges (as noted from field experience observations). Develop an IEP, an FBA, and a behavior intervention plan (BIP) for one student identified with emotional behavioral disorder with the theme being: managing students safely.
SED 505: Curriculum Methods in Learning and Behaviors Disorders (P-12)
Students will complete a unit of study with five lesson plans focusing on literacy in the content area. Students will address diversity and connect student learning to real life experiences.
SED 506: Behavior Management of Children and Youth with Learning and Behavior Problems
Develop a behavior management plan focused on creating and maintaining a positive learning climate. Student will write reflections on field experiences, collaborate with a general education teacher and parent to develop a behavior management plan for a student, including a Functional Behavioral Assessment.
SED 600: Theories of Reading and Educational Practices P-12
Develop two TPA lesson plans in consultation with the teacher in the field experience classroom; teach one lesson. Reflection on lesson taught.
SED 601: Prescriptive and Instructional Strategies
Develop a prescriptive teaching plan. It must include KY Core Academic Standards for English/language arts; must include accommodations/modifications for student with disabilities, gifted and talented students and for students whose primary language is not English. Develop a standards-based unit of study with five lesson plans focusing on a content area of choice that can be implemented in a collaborative setting. Include strategies for all diverse learners. Students will give PowerPoint Presentations, use
ERIC to search for professional articles on RtI, and design a leadership projectSED 602: Classroom Management
Create a classroom management plan to address the needs of all diverse learners.
Collaborate with general education teacher to develop a classroom management plan.SED 603: Teaching Mathematics to Children and Youth with Learning Behavior and Disorders
Develop a unit of study based on information from an informal assessment. Teach one lesson during the field experiences. Collaborate with general education teacher and parent to develop a plan for intervention in the area of math based on the informal assessment
SED 604: Assessment and Instructional Methods
Develop a unit assessment plan. Research and assess the function of standardized and informal assessment tools. Research standardized diagnostic tools for diverse learners.
ED 605: Research Methods and Procedures
Utilize ERIC Search for research paper.
SED 606: Introduction to Learning Disabilities
This course consists of writing three lesson plans for students with learning disabilities. Include accommodations/modifications needed based on assessment data. Complete an IEP based on the State Approved IEP form and meet the instructions in the Guidance Document for Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development.
ED 607: Graduate Practicum/Seminar
Create a portfolio based on the ten KY Teacher Standards. Complete professional portfolio. Update Professional Growth Plan. Collaborate with parents at ARC meetings Collaborate with school psychologists and other assessment personnel. Academic Portfolio Review and revise professional growth plan. Implement a leadership project.
ED 608: Student Teaching
Videotaped lesson with feedback from professor and supervising teacher. Formative and summative assessments with evaluation analysis including student work. Professional portfolio documentation: communication of IEP goal/objectives and ongoing progress, newsletters, parent conferences. Reflection journals will be required, and well as reflections on lessons taught in the public school setting. Student will reflection and evaluate video teaching and attend school-based professional development workshops, as well as parent conferences.
Admissions Requirements
In order to apply to Campbellsville University’s accredited special education certificate online, prospective students must submit or complete the following:
- Complete the online application
- Official Transcript Request Form (via Adobe Sign). In most cases, this will allow us to request your transcripts on your behalf.
- All official college transcripts from each college or university previously attended and currently attended
- 2.75 overall GPA from their undergraduate studies or a 3.0 in their last 30 hours
- Submit three names and email addresses of three professional and/or academic references to your enrollment counselor for School of Education requirements
*Some additional requirements will be requested upon acceptance into the program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Special education certification online costs $319 per credit hour. In order to help students afford their education, Campbellsville University’s staff is available to work with students to discover available financial aid options.
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Students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what scholarships, grants, loans and payment plans are available for them. There are numerous options available, and not all financial aid is based on need.
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A maximum of 12 credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university can be transferred into this program.
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Campbellsville University is a military-friendly school and a proud member of the Yellow Ribbon program. Students who are currently serving at home or abroad or are veterans can further their education in a conducive online environment.
Careers in Special Education
A career as a special education teacher earns a median salary of $58,980 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and employment is expected to increase by 8 percent through 2026. While most special education teachers typically work a traditional 10-month school year with summers free, some work year-round.
Why CU Online?
Focused on Your Growth
Our well-rounded education in the arts and sciences is central to our goal of fostering your personal and professional growth.
Faith-Based Education
Founded in 1906 as a Christian university, we welcome diverse perspectives and prepare students to become Christian servant leaders.
Affordable and Convenient
Campbellsville seeks to provide an affordable education for its students. Our online degree programs are in a convenient format, so you can study whenever and wherever you want.
Accreditation
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.
Benefits of Learning Online
Campbellsville University offers several dynamic online degrees so that students can continue their education and hone their skills. Campbellsville’s online campus has been recognized as one of the best by numerous outlets. The institution’s faculty members have real-world experience in their fields, so students can get a glimpse of working in their prospective career. Students can also conveniently fit online coursework into their busy schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
- Yes. We offer a generous transfer policy for our online degree programs. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
- Yes. You will have to complete the FAFSA form, and we will then determine your eligibility for any financial aid. Visit our financial aid page to learn more about your options, which include scholarships and grants.
- You can apply to our online degree programs through the online application form. Remember to submit official copies of your high school and/or college transcripts, along with any other required documentation that is specific to your degree program. You can visit the admissions process page to learn more about what to expect throughout the process.