Special Education, Concentration in Moderate/Severe Disabilities P-12 (MAT)
Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education, Concentration in Moderate/Severe Disabilities P-12
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Special Education, Early Childhood and Prevention Science
Program Website
Academic Plan Code(s): SPE_MATMSD, SPE_MATMSO
Program Information
This program can be completed in a traditional classroom format or entirely online.
This program leads to Kentucky certification for Moderate and Severe Disabilities, grades P-12. Applicants to the program should have excellent academic credentials as well as successful experience working with children and/or adults with Moderate and Severe Disabilities. Completion of this degree/licensure program will lead to certification as an MSD teacher only (not an Elementary, Middle or Secondary content area teacher).
Students must complete weekly field hours in school or community placements that serve individuals with moderate and severe disabilities. Prior to the end of the program a 12-week student teaching placement must be successfully completed.
Admission Requirements
Candidates who meet the following criteria may be eligible to apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching program:
- Complete graduate application. This should be completed three to four weeks prior to the application deadline.
- Minimum Test Scores as required by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board.
Please note: when submitting test scores through ETS, use the general University of Louisville code, 1838. - Bachelor's Degree from Accredited College or University with a Minimum 2.75 Grade Point Average (official transcripts required)
- Grade of C or better in ENGL 102, or equivalent
- Grade of C or better in oral communication course
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo
- Professional Writing Requirements
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Acceptable interview
- 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Student Characteristics | ||
| EDSP 540 | Introduction to Exceptional Children | 3 |
| EDSP 594 | Foundational Concepts in Intellectual and Physical Disability | 3 |
| Pedagogy | ||
| EDSP 520 | Assessment of Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 609 | Moderate/Severe Disabilities Curriculum and Methods I | 3 |
| EDSP 611 | Moderate/Severe Disabilities Curriculum and Methods II | 3 |
| EDSP 614 | Transition Programs and Services for Children and Youth with Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 644 | Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| Midpoint Assessment | ||
| EDSP 518 | Structured Literacy for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| EDSP 546 | Behavior Analytic Approach to Communication | 3 |
| EDSP 570 | Autism: Introduction and Understanding | 3 |
| EDSP 608 | Student Teaching: Moderate and Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 647 | Teaching Mathematics to Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| Research | ||
| EDSP 639 | Education Research in P-12 Setting (must be taken in last 6 hours) | 3 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 39 | |
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 644, EDSP 520, EDSP 609, and EDSP 611); Exemplary or Target performance on all rubrics; positive recommendation from the Special Education Program Committee; electronic documentation of 200 hours of diverse and approved field experiences.
Exit 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; Exemplary or Target performance on all rubrics; positive recommendation from the Special Education Program Committee.
Certification Assessment: Exemplary or Target dispositions assessment; no grade lower than B-minus in all coursework; passing scores on PRAXIS exams; positive recommendation from the Special Education Program Committee.
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).
