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This program provides preparation for students who wish to pursue careers in a P-12 school setting as teachers serving students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities. The School of Teacher Education, through the Exceptional Education program area, offers three concentrations within the MAE in Exceptional Education, MSD program:

• MSDO – Moderate and Severe Disabilities for those holding certification in any area other than Exceptional Education;
• MSDM – Moderate and Severe Disabilities for those holding previous certification in MSD; and
• MSDL – Moderate and Severe Disabilities for those holding Exceptional Education LBD certification.

Within each concentration, the student is expected to become competent in theory, research, and application of best teaching practices related to exceptional students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities and exhibit appropriate teacher disposition behaviors as indicated by the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Teacher Disposition Rating Form. All courses in the program carry critical performance indicators (CPIs) which 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.

Successful completion of a comprehensive examination or action research capstone project is required.  A GPA of 3.0 or higher in all graduate course work is required, with no grade lower than a “C.”

Note: To be eligible for a recommendation for teacher certification, students must document that they have received a passing scores on each required PRAXIS II examination. Students must pass all required PRAXIS II examinations before they may register for EXED 590.

Applicants must apply to and be accepted through the WKU Graduate Studies according to current admission requirements. Once admitted to Graduate Studies, students must then meet the requirements for admission into the MAE programs in Exceptional Education and the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

Admission To Program

Admission to all MSD concentrations requires the following: 

• Achieve a  GAP (GRE-V plus GRE-Q multiplied by undergraduate GPA) score of 2200 or higher on the GRE and a GRE Analytical Writing score of 3.5 or higher; Applicant is responsible for maintaining contact with the Graduate College (270-745-2446).
• Possess a current , valid teaching certificate (a copy of which must be submitted with the application),
• Submit an admission portfolio with your application to Graduate Studies. Portfolio needs to include an application letter; a philosophy of education; two letters of reference from college/university faculty; and two letters of reference from school personnel.
• Exhibit acceptable teacher disposition behaviors as indicated by the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Teacher Disposition Rating Form.
• All admissions materials must be received by March 1 for admission to the summer terms or May 1 for admission to the fall term for priority consideration.

Students who do not meet the previously stated requirements may seek admission through the following process:

1. Students who are WKU graduates and have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 may apply to be considered for admission without the GRE.  These students must submit a portfolio that includes the following: a) a letter of application that explains why they should be exempt from the GRE; b) a written philosophy of education; c) two references from faculty members that detail their potential as graduate students; and d) two references from public school teachers and/or administrators that address their dispositions to teach.
2. Students who are graduates of an accredited college or university and have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 may apply to be considered for admission without the GRE.  These students must submit a portfolio that includes the following: a) a letter of application that explains why they should be exempt from the GRE; b) a philosophy of education; c) two references from faculty members that detail their potential as graduate students; and d) two references from public school teachers and/or administrators that address their dispositions to teach.
3. Students who are graduates from an accredited college or university with a MA and have a graduate GPA of 3.0 may apply to be considered for admission without the GRE.  These students must submit a portfolio that includes the following: a) a letter of application that explains why they should be exempt from the GRE; b) a philosophy of education; c) two references from faculty members that detail their potential as graduate students; and d) two references from public school teachers and/or administrators that address their dispositions to teach.

All three Moderate and Severe concentrations – MSDO, MSDM, and MSDL - comprise 15 hours of core coursework and 18 hours of course work specific to their concentration for a total of 30 credit hours.

Students have the option of adding the Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate to any MSD concentration and may include 4 ASD Courses within their program of study. This may add additional credit hours to a full program.  The five Autism Certificate courses are EXED 610; EXED 612; EXED 615; EXED 618; and EXED 619.

EXED MSD Concentrations

Moderate and Severe Disabilities, Initial Certification        
Concentration Code: MSDO
This concentration is for those individuals who have prior teaching certification in any area except Exceptional Education. This 30-hour program consists of course work in the diagnosis and assessment of individuals with moderate and severe disabilities, prescriptive teaching, transition services programming, and research in Exceptional Education. This concentration is for those individuals who hold teaching certification in any area other than Exceptional Education.

Moderate and Severe Disabilities w/ previous MSD Certification   
Concentration Code: MSDM
This concentration is for those individuals who hold prior certification or a Statement of Eligibility for certification in Exceptional Education, Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD).  This 30-hour program consists of course work in the diagnosis and assessment of individuals with moderate and severe disabilities, prescriptive teaching, and research in Exceptional Education. This concentration is for those individuals who hold current and valid certification or Statement of Eligibility for certification in Exceptional Education, MSD.

Moderate and Severe Disabilities w/previous LBD Certification with Focus on Autism
Concentration Code: MSDL
This concentration is for those individuals who hold prior certification or a Statement of Eligibility for certification in Exceptional Education, Learning and Behavior Disorders. This 30-hour program consists of course work in the diagnosis and assessment of individuals with moderate and severe disabilities, prescriptive teaching, transition services programming, and research in Exceptional Education. This option is for those individuals who hold current and valid certification or Statement of Eligibility for certification in Exceptional Education, LBD.