The Special Education Initial Certification in Learning and Behavior Disorders program, which will lead to a Master of Arts in Teaching, is for individuals who are seeking initial certification in LBD and may or may not be currently employed as a teacher of students with Learning and Behavior disorders. This option is for those individuals with no prior teacher certification in any area. This 36-hour program consists of coursework in induction to the profession of special education, the diagnosis and assessment of learning and behavioral disabilities, prescriptive teaching, managing behavioral disorders and positive behavior supports, research in special education, 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 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. Students must submit passing scores on the Praxis II 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. All courses in the program carry critical performance indicators (CPIs) that must be completed before the final course grade will be recorded. Each course’s CPI becomes a part of the portfolio that is reviewed at the end of each semester for progress through the program.