Earn Your Master’s in Special Education (Option 6) Through UK Online

Beginning this Fall 2024, UK Online is introducing a new program for you to earn a Master’s in Special Education under Option 6. This is a great opportunity for teachers as there is a shortage of certified special education teachers in the state of Kentucky. Completing this degree online allows for flexibility to attend classes via Zoom in the evening, while still teaching in a classroom during the school day. At the conclusion of the program, teachers are eligible for certification in either Learning and Behavior Disorders, or Moderate to Severe Disabilities.

What is Option 6? 

Option 6 is specifically designed for educators in the state of Kentucky who are teaching under a temporary provisional certificate in a special education classroom, known as Option 6. This is the most commonly used alternative for pursuing a teacher’s certificate. Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to take the Praxis II exam to earn a special education certification. 

Steps to Get Into the Program 

There are a couple important requirements to be in this MAT special education Option 6 program. 

Requirements

• Must have a bachelor’s degree
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 3.0 GPA on the last 30 hours of credits 
• This program requires participation in lectures hosted online in the evenings 
• Must be an Option 6 participant, employed as a teacher in a special education classroom setting

Application and Deadlines 

• This program offers rolling admission, meaning candidates can apply throughout the year finding out in a couple of weeks if they are offered admission into the program for the upcoming Fall semester. 

Available Program Tracks

Our online MAT program for Option 6 teachers offers two speciality tracks:

Moderate to Severe Disabilities Track 

The Moderate to Severe Disabilities track in the MAT program focuses on teaching strategies to assist students with significant cognitive, physical, and adaptive challenges, requiring specialized, individualized instructional methods and supports for functional life skills and academic development. Program completion leads to MSD certification eligibility. 

Curriculum Overview:

• Emphasizes highly specialized, individualized instruction tailored to each student’s needs.
• Focuses on functional life skills, self-care, and communication, along with academic skills at a pace and level appropriate to the student’s abilities.
• Working with other professionals such as occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and physical therapists.
• Adaptations and modifications to meet the students’ unique needs.

Learning and Behavior Disorders Track

The Learning and Behavior Disorders Track in the MAT program concentrates on students with specific learning difficulties or behavioral issues, requiring targeted instructional strategies and behavioral interventions to improve academic performance and social-emotional functioning. Program completion leads to LBD certification eligibility.

Curriculum Overview:

• Specialized teaching techniques to address specific academic challenges and enhance learning strategies.
• Understanding emotional and behavioral disorders such as ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), or conduct disorder. 
• Understanding specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia. 
• Instruction and interventions focused on managing behavior, improving social skills, and addressing emotional needs.
• Emphasis on creating a supportive classroom environment, implementing behavior modification plans, and teaching social-emotional skills.
• Interventions to address the specific needs of each student, including accommodations and modifications to support academic achievement and behavior management.
• Strategies such as differentiated instruction, behavioral management plans, and collaboration with school counselors and psychologists.

Advantages of Earning this Degree Online

Flexibility  

Earning this degree online allows for much more flexibility; as an enrollee in this program you are not required to step foot on the university’s campus as all lectures and meetings are held via Zoom in the evenings. This also allows for you to earn their master’s degree while gaining classroom experience. 

Apply Skills Immediately 

Because this MAT program is online in real-time, the Zoom lectures allow you to collaborate, ask questions, and discuss results from your classroom experience with peers and professors. 

If you are an Option 6 participant, learn more about UK’s online Master of Arts in Special Education for Option 6 Teachers program.