Special Education, Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.)

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Dr. Mary Jo Krile, Graduate Coordinator

The School of Education also offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts in Education in Special Education and Rank 1. 

General Information

Options for the Master of Arts in Education in Special Education include Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Learning and Behavior Disorders,  and Moderate to Severe Disabilities. The Master of Arts in Education in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education is also offered as a non-teaching option (for those who do not hold a teaching certificate) and advanced study (for those who already hold IECE certification). Candidates should consult with a graduate advisor for the desired certification program as early as possible.

Admission Requirements

For clear admission to all MAEd program options the student must meet admission requirements for the Graduate School plus the following program requirements:

  • an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall or a 3.0 in the last 30 hours completed.

Program Admissions

MAEd Option A: Advanced Study

Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Teaching with Teacher Leader Endorsement
  • Valid teaching certificate in IECE.
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Non-teaching
  • Prerequisites for entering the IECE non teaching option are a bachelor’s degree in an education related discipline from an accredited institution;
  • Prerequisite course work (completed or equivalent):
SED 104Special Education Introduction3
or SED 800 Exceptional Learners General Education Class
CDF 235Child Development: Conception-Eight Years3
or CDF 741 Infant-Toddler Development and Group Care

MAEd Option B: Adding Certification

Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD)
  • Prerequisites: KY Teaching Certificate in P-5, P-12, 5-9, 5-12, or Secondary for Classroom Teachers;
  • Successful completion of equivalent coursework for:
SED 104Special Education Introduction3
or SED 800 Exceptional Learners General Education Class
Choose from one of the following:3
EMG 447
Disciplinary Literacy in the Middle Grades
EMG 806
Reading Instruction for Middle School
ELE 820
Literacy Foundation P-5
MAE 201Mathematical Concepts for P-9 I3
MAE 202Mathematical Concepts for P-9 II3
MAE 302Mathematical Concepts for P-9 III3
or ELE 822 Mathematical Foundations P-5
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)
  • Prerequisites: KY Teaching Certificate in P-5, P-12, 5-9, 5-12, or Secondary for Classroom Teachers;
  • Successful completion of equivalent coursework for:
Choose from one of the following:
EMG 447
Disciplinary Literacy in the Middle Grades
EMG 806
Reading Instruction for Middle School
ELE 820
Literacy Foundation P-5
MAE 201Mathematical Concepts for P-9 I3
MAE 202Mathematical Concepts for P-9 II3
MAE 302Mathematical Concepts for P-9 III3
or ELE 822 Mathematical Foundations P-5
SED 104Special Education Introduction3
or SED 800 Exceptional Learners General Education Class
ASL 101American Sign Language I3
ASL 102American Sign Language II3
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE)
  • Prerequisites: KY Teaching Certificate in P-5, P-12, 5-9, 5-12, or Secondary for Classroom Teachers;
  • Successful completion of equivalent coursework for:
SED 104Special Education Introduction3
or SED 800 Exceptional Learners General Education Class
Moderate to Severe Disabilities (MSD)
  • Prerequisites: KY Teaching Certificate in P-5, P-12, 5-9, 5-12, or Secondary for Classroom Teachers;
  • Successful completion of equivalent coursework for:
Choose from one of the following:
EMG 447
Disciplinary Literacy in the Middle Grades
EMG 806
Reading Instruction for Middle School
ELE 820
Literacy Foundation P-5
MAE 201Mathematical Concepts for P-9 I3
MAE 202Mathematical Concepts for P-9 II3
MAE 302Mathematical Concepts for P-9 III3
or ELE 822 Mathematical Foundations P-5
SED 104Special Education Introduction3
or SED 800 Exceptional Learners General Education Class

Program Requirements

CIP Code: 13.1001

Advanced Study in Special Education

Curriculum for students pursuing Advanced Study in Special Education: available as either Teaching (Option B) or Non-teaching (Option A)

Core Courses
ETL 805Research Methods for Education Professionals3
ETL 806Teacher Leader Capstone1
EDF 804Teaching and Leading with Technology2
SED 808Special Education Early Childhood Survey3
SED 825Language and Literacy of Students with Disabilities3
SED 837Applied Behavior Analysis for Students with Disabilities3
SED 897Practicum in Special Education3
Exit Requirement
GRD 877MMAED Spec Ed Written Comp0
Total Hours18

Specialized Certification Areas

Curriculum emphasis areas for students pursuing additional certification (Option B):

Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD)

Required Courses
SED 812Introduction to Special Education Assesment3
SED 817Behavior Disorders3
SED 845Special Education Transition/Collaboration3
SED 856Graduate Methods and Materials3
Total Hours12

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)

Students pursuing Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) as a specialized Certification Area MUST complete ASL 101 and 102 as a pre-requisite to the program. 

Required Courses
SED 738Language of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing3
SED 780Audiology for Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing3
SED 781Speech for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing3
SED 830Survey of Education of Deaf and HoH3
SED 850Assessment/Progress/Methods, D/HH3
Total Hours15

Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE)

Required Courses
CDF 741Infant-Toddler Development and Group Care3
SED 802Advanced Early Childhood Intervention Programs3
SED 811IECE Assessment3
SED 827Early Childhood Special Education Partnerships3
Total Hours12

Moderate to Severe Disabilities (MSD)

Required Courses
SED 819Moderate and Severe Disabilities Introduction3
SED 821Moderate and Severe Disabilites Technology and Research-Based Strategies3
SED 823Moderate and Severe Disabilities Methods3
SED 845Special Education Transition/Collaboration3
Total Hours12

Curriculum for students NOT pursuing additional certification (Option A):

Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) Non-teaching or Teaching

Required Courses
CDF 741Infant-Toddler Development and Group Care3
SED 802Advanced Early Childhood Intervention Programs3
SED 811IECE Assessment3
SED 827Early Childhood Special Education Partnerships3
Total Hours12

Additional Information Regarding Exit Requirements

The following are exit requirements for Master of Arts in Education in Special Education candidates:

  • Program GPA: Candidate must earn an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, with no grade below a C.
  • Key Assessments: Candidates will have opportunities to demonstrate professional growth through key assessments covering major program components. Successful completion of all key assessments and evaluation in the College’s digital portfolio database is required.
  • Oral presentation of Capstone Research project and approval by graduate faculty advisor in ETL 806 Teacher Leader Capstone.
  • GRD 877M MAED Spec Ed Written Comp
  • GRD 877M MAED Spec Ed Written Comp: Deaf and Hard of Hearing candidates must provide evidence of
    completion of ASL 101 & 102 or the equivalent to successfully complete the GRD 877M review.
  • For Option B, adding certification and/or rank change candidates must pass the appropriate PRAXIS II Exam for new area of certification.
  • Candidates seeking licensure in another state should follow the guidelines established by the state’s licensing agency.

PRAXIS Disclaimer: Kentucky educator certification requirements are subject to change. Before registering for the test(s), please check the Education Professional Standards Board website at www.epsb.ky.gov for current test requirements and current cut scores. You may also contact the Division of Professional Learning and Assessment at (502) 564-5846. EKU is not responsible for providing test codes to candidates.