Special Education for Initial Certification, Master of Arts in Teaching
The Special Education Initial Certification program, which will lead to a Master of Arts in Teaching, is for individuals seeking initial certification in learning and behavioral disorders (LBD) or moderate and severe disabilities (MSD) and may or may not be currently employed as a teacher of students with LBD or MSD. This option is for those individuals with no prior teacher certification in any area. This 33-hour program consists of coursework in induction to the profession of special education, the diagnosis and assessment of disabilities, instructional strategies, data-based individualization, managing behavior and positive behavior supports, transition planning, 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 or MSD 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 or MSD.
Students must submit passing scores on the Praxis 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. Courses in the program carry key assessments that must be completed before the final course grade will be recorded. Performance on coursework and key assessments is reviewed at the end of each semester to measure progress through the program.
Intakes
- Jan
- May
- Aug
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Western Kentucky University (WKU) offers a range of job opportunities for international students, especially through on-campus employment, internships, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. The university has a strong career services center that supports students with resume building, interview preparation, and connecting with employers through job fairs and networking events. WKU’s location and industry connections also provide students with access to part-time jobs and full-time career opportunities in various fields such as business, technology, health sciences, and education.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
- Official transcript(s) of all college work attempted indicating the applicant has received an undergraduate degree in accounting from an accredited college or university with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25 (4.0 scale) for the terms in which the student completed the last sixty (60) hours of undergraduate coursework.
- Official Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score report with a minimum score of 500.
Evidence of ability to communicate in English
- TOEFL: 79 iBT (including the Home Edition and Paper Edition tests)
- IELTS: 6.5
- Successful completion of ESLi at WKU
- Completion of ELS Level 112
Note: English proficiency scores are not required if the applicant's country of citizenship in on this list
Adequate academic preparation in the field of specialization
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
- Duration: 02 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
35814 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 95 USD
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