Special Education, Concentration in Learning Behavior Disorders P-12 (MAT)

Admission Requirements

Candidates who meet the following criteria may be eligible to apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching program:

  1. Complete graduate application. This should be completed three to four weeks prior to the application deadline.
  2. Bachelor's Degree from Accredited College or University with a Minimum 2.75 Grade Point Average (official transcripts required)
  3. Grade of C or better in ENGL 102, or equivalent
  4. Grade of C or better in oral communication course
  5. TOEFL/IETLS/Duolingo
  6. Professional Writing Requirements
  7. Three Letters of Recommendation
  8. Acceptable interview
  9. Signed Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement/Statement of Understanding of Admissions Guidelines

Questions about admission should be directed to teacher@louisville.edu.

Admission is competitive. Candidates who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program.

Program Requirements

Student Characteristics
EDSP 540Introduction to Exceptional Children3
EDSP 675Characteristics, Needs, and Respones to Students with EBD3
Pedagogy
EDSP 512Methods for Students with Learning and Behavior Disorders3
EDSP 516Assessment Procedures for Students with Learning & Behavior Disorders3
EDSP 644Applied Behavior Analysis3
EDSP 518Teaching Reading Special Education P-123
Mid-Point Assessment
EDSP 647Teaching Mathematics to Students with Disabilities3
EDSP 614Transition Programs and Services for Children and Youth with Disabilities3
EDSP 607Student Teaching; Learning and Behavior Disorders3
EDSP 510Legal Issues in Special Education3
Minimum Total Hours30

Midpoint Assessment: Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, grade no lower than B-minus in all coursework; Exemplary or Target performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks to date (including EDSP 512, EDSP 516, and EDSP 644); Exemplary or Target performance on all rubrics; electronic documentation of 200 hours of diverse and approved field experiences. 

Degree Assessment: Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; no grade lower than B-minus in all coursework; Exemplary or Target performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance or better on all rubrics.

Certification Assessment: Satisfactory dispositions assessment; passing scores on required PRAXIS exams; completion of degree requirements.

Degree Candidacy: Students not enrolled during the semester in which they intend to graduate must register for degree candidacy as outlined in Academic Policies, Procedures, and Requirements.

Praxis Disclaimer: Teacher certification requirements are subject to change. Before registering for certification test(s), please refer to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) website at epsb.ky.gov/ or ets.org/praxis/ky  for current requirements.

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education program with a concentration in Moderate/Severe Disabilities P-12 prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure.  If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree. 

More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website:  https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).

For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: http://louisville.edu/online/About-Us (please scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the licensing disclosures tab).