Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MAT) Alt Cert - SECP

Learn more about Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MAT) Alt Cert - SECP for P-12.

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The special education licensure program provides a strong foundation in general education content, special education theory and methods, and teaching experience. Extensive classroom experience allows students to develop the skills, competencies, and confidence for successful teaching, including strategies for inclusion, behavior management, social skill instruction, and modifying instruction in the general curriculum. Students also benefit from the supervision and mentorship of experienced practitioners and field supervisors. The program's special education professors are experienced practitioners who are experts in their fields as researchers, teachers, and administrators.

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View the general admission requirements and degree requirements for Moderate/Severe (MAT) here

M.A.T. in Special Education: Moderate and Severe Disabilities, P-12 (Alt Cert)

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Application Deadline: May 1st (Summer) | October 15th (Spring)

This program can be completed entirely online

Applicants to the program should have excellent academic credentials and successful experience working with children and/or adults with Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD). The Alternative Certification program requires that students who are admitted to this program become employed in an MSD classroom on a temporary provisional certificate. Classes start in the Summer each year, and admitted students must secure employment before the start of the Fall term. Those who are not employed, have the option to pursue the traditional version of this program, which requires field placements and student teaching. Completion of this degree/licensure program will only lead to certification as an MSD teacher (not an Elementary, Middle or Secondary content area teacher).

Licensure to teach students with moderate and severe disabilities prepares candidates to teach students with intellectual disabilities that impede academic achievement and adaptive behavior skills (e.g., communication, social behavior, and daily living activities). Elementary teachers work primarily with beginning or remedial skills in academic content (English language arts, math, science, and social studies) and adaptive behaviors. Middle Grades and Secondary teachers address these skills in addition to preparing students to transition to vocations or to post-secondary education. Students with moderate and severe disabilities may spend all or part of their time in traditional classroom settings, but may also receive special education instruction for part of the day in resource rooms, or in self-contained classrooms within the school. Students with moderate and severe disabilities may have intellectual disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, or other health impairments.

Who should apply?

  • Individuals interested in teaching students with moderate/ severe disabilities
  • Individuals with a bachelor's degree outside of the field of education
  • Individuals with strong academic credentials and experience working with children or adults with moderate and severe disabilities
  • Individuals who will simultaneously excel at meeting the complex demands of teaching and the rigorous standards of academic coursework.

Teacher education candidates should visit the Educator Preparation Program page and review the expectations listed under the "Review These Teaching Profession Expectations" section.

Please visit the Educator Preparation Program page and read items listed under "Admission Requirement Details" for more in-depth information regarding admission requirements for this program.


 

Students would primarily be certified to teach in a Moderate/Severe Disabilities (MSD) classroom in Kentucky.

The program leads to MSD certification only. Individuals completing this program would not be certified to teach in a typical classroom (Elementary, Middle or Secondary) unless they completed an additional certification program.

Before applying to the program, please contact Betty Hampton, Director of Graduate and Student Services, (502-852-0411 or betty.hampton@louisville.edu) to discuss the application process.

Department of Special Education
Brandon Gossett
Office: 502-852-0574
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292