You can focus on Special Education, Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD) at the graduate level in one of three ways. The first option combines certification courses with the Master of Arts in Education: Teacher as leader, you can also achieve a Rank 2 certification in Kentucky while also attaining your special education certification. Additionally, all earned credit hours over 30 may be applied to your Rank 1 certificate. The second option is a concentration is special education. If you would just like to know more about differentiating instruction, but don't want to pursue certification, you can choose the non-certification option for special education. This will allow you (with the approval of your advisor) to select four courses from a menu of special education courses. The knowledge gained can be directly applied to teaching all the students in your classroom, expanding your teaching toolbox. The third option is to pursue special education certification as a non-degree student. Those without current teaching certification can pursue this route.<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.