About the course

The Special Education Initial Certification in Learning and Behavior Disorders program, which will lead to a Master of Arts in Teaching, is for individuals who are seeking initial certification in LBD and may or may not be currently employed as a teacher of students with Learning and Behavior disorders. This option is for those individuals with no prior teacher certification in any area. This 36-hour program consists of coursework in induction to the profession of special education, the diagnosis and assessment of learning and behavioral disabilities, prescriptive teaching, managing behavioral disorders and positive behavior supports, research in special education, and special education law. If a student is currently employed or has verification of employment from a school district, the student may be eligible for a Temporary Provisional Teaching Certificate (CA-TP). If the student does not secure employment as the teacher of record in an LBD setting during the program, the student will be required to complete the equivalent of the state required student teaching experience in an unpaid position in an accredited Public School within WKU's service area. Graduates completing the equivalent of a student teaching experience will be eligible for a Statement of Eligibility for certification as a teacher of students with LBD. Students must submit passing scores on the Praxis II and be fully admitted to the professional education unit (teacher admissions) PRIOR to enrolling in SPED 590 Students must meet all state requirements for student teaching and initial certification. SPED 590 should be taken as the final course of the program. All courses in the program carry critical performance indicators (CPIs) that must be completed before the final course grade will be recorded. Each course?s CPI becomes a part of the portfolio that is reviewed at the end of each semester for progress through the program. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 4 Semester(s)Fees: US$34,308

Intake	Location
Spring (January), 2024	Bowling Green
Summer (May), 2024	Bowling Green
Fall (August), 2024	Bowling Green
Spring (January), 2025	Bowling Green
Summer (May), 2025	Bowling Green
Fall (August), 2025	Bowling Green
Spring (January), 2026	Bowling Green
Summer (May), 2026	Bowling Green

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for Western Kentucky University

Document completion of a bachelor’s degree with a major, or equivalent, in an approved subject area and from an accredited institution.

　　Present a letter of application (including professional goals). Document a cumulative overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or above (counting all course work, undergraduate or graduate) OR a GPA of 3.0 in the last 30 hours of course work (counting all course work, undergraduate and graduate).

　　Submit the state required passing score on the Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE).

　　Submit documentation to satisfy partial criteria for admission to professional education, including references, physical including TB test, signed commitment to uphold the code of ethics, and criminal background check.

　　Students who have not had an introductory-level special education course within the past ten years must complete SPED 516 The Exceptional Child Perspectives and Issues, as a deficiency prior to enrollment in any of the MAT courses for Special Education.

　　TOEFL: 79 (IBT), 56 (paper-delivered test), 550 (paper-based test)

　　IELTS: 6.5 (scores must be sent as hard copies from the British Council)

　　

English language requirements

　　6.5

　　Overall IELTS band score

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　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 79.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at Western Kentucky University. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

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