You can focus on Special Education, Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD) at the graduate level in various ways. The first option for those holding special education teaching certification in learning and behavior disorders (LBD). This option involves taking 19 credit hours in special education which focus on teaching students with moderate and severe disabilities combined with the core courses in the Master of Arts in Education: Teacher as leader, This is a way to achieve Rank 2 teaching certification in Kentucky while also attaining your special education certification in moderate and severe disabilities. For those with a valid teaching certificate but no certification in special education – learning and behavior disorders, you may earn your certification in MSD by taking the prerequisite courses (15 hours) and then the 19 credit hour course sequence in MSD. This option can also be combined with the Master of Arts in Education: Teacher as Leader.<br><br>The Education Specialist in Teaching and Leading allows you to earn Rank 1 certification in Kentucky. This program consists of a 15-semester-hour core and a selected area of concentration of 15 semester hours. You may choose to add an additional endorsement or certification to your current teaching certificate, or pursue additional advanced coursework in your initial teaching area. You must have completed a master's degree and hold a Kentucky Rank 2 teaching certificate (or equivalent from another state). The Education Specialist degree in Teaching & Leading is for teachers who wish to enhance their teaching, leadership and mentoring skills. This program would engage students in learning and practicing principles and skills of collaboration, mentorship, and research-based practice, leading to improved skills for graduates, the teacher candidates under their influence, and the P-12 students in their classrooms. Program completers would be eligible for rank change (Rank 1) in Kentucky. The program requires 30 credit hours of graduate level coursework earned beyond the Master's degree and initial teacher certification. Kentucky Teacher Standards, Advanced Level, are met through an action research project and other program experiences.