Campbellsville University special education certification comes through an online Master of Arts in Special Education (MASE) with Initial Certification and Teacher Leader tracks, both approved by Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board. The program is accredited through CAEP and SACSCOC. Coursework covers autism, learning disabilities, and IEP development, alongside a School of Education tradition of international field experience in Belize.
Campbellsville University runs one of Kentucky’s established online special education programs through its School of Education, which reached full university status in 1996 after decades as a smaller college. The online Master of Arts in Special Education (MASE) prepares both new teachers and licensed classroom veterans for work with students who have IEPs, from mild learning disabilities to autism and traumatic brain injury.
A Kentucky School With Statewide Reach
Campbellsville is a private Christian university based in Campbellsville, Kentucky, with additional campuses and instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville, Owensboro, and Louisville. Campbellsville University special education certification is available to students anywhere in the state, since the MASE program is delivered entirely online.
Two Concentrations in the Online MASE
The MASE comes with two concentration options, and the right fit depends on where a candidate stands in their career.
Teacher Leader Concentration
This track is built for teachers who already hold a license and want a formal instructional leadership role. Coursework covers professional growth planning and leadership skills specific to special education, on top of a licensed Teacher Leader credential recognized by Kentucky schools.
Initial Certification Concentration
This track is for candidates who don’t yet hold a teaching license. It runs 39 to 48 credit hours and takes as little as 18 months to complete, leading to certification under Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board requirements for special education. Candidates choose between two formats: the traditional route, which includes 16 weeks of student teaching at the end of the program, or Kentucky’s Option 6 alternative certification, which lets candidates work as a provisionally certified teacher of record while completing a year of mentoring instead of student teaching.
Program Accreditation
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its education programs carry accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approval from Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) for teacher preparation and certification.
Faculty With Real Classroom Experience
Instructors in the program bring direct special education classroom experience, not just theory. Many have worked hands-on with students who have autism, intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and a range of developmental needs. That background carries into coursework on writing IEPs, developing district special education policy, and identifying funding sources like grants.
Why Kentucky Needs More Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers remain in short supply in Kentucky and nationally, and every student with an IEP requires a certified special education teacher involved in writing and implementing it. Meeting that demand depends on a steady pipeline of qualified candidates, which is where programs like Campbellsville’s MASE fit in. The two concentration options and the IEP-focused coursework are built around producing teachers ready to handle the paperwork and classroom demands special education requires from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What concentrations does Campbellsville’s online MASE offer?
The program offers a Teacher Leader concentration for already-licensed teachers moving into leadership roles, and an Initial Certification concentration for candidates who need to earn their teaching license.
Is Campbellsville University’s special education program accredited?
Yes. Campbellsville holds SACSCOC accreditation as a university, and its education programs carry CAEP accreditation along with EPSB approval in Kentucky.
Does the MASE lead to Kentucky teacher certification?
The Initial Certification concentration leads to certification through Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board. Candidates can complete it through a traditional route with 16 weeks of student teaching, or through Kentucky’s Option 6 alternative certification, which allows a year of mentoring instead. The Teacher Leader concentration is designed for candidates who already hold a teaching license.
Does Campbellsville offer an international field experience for special education students?
The School of Education has a history of leading trips to Belize where students and faculty work with local schools and orphanages. Availability varies by term and concentration, so check with an admissions counselor for current details.
Can I complete the program while working full time?
The MASE is delivered fully online, which is designed to let working teachers and career changers complete coursework around a full-time schedule.
- Two concentrations serve two different candidates — Teacher Leader is for already-licensed teachers moving into leadership, Initial Certification is for candidates who still need their license.
- Triple accreditation backs the program — SACSCOC at the university level, CAEP for the education program, and EPSB approval for Kentucky certification.
- An international field experience sets this program apart — the School of Education has a track record of leading trips to Belize, though availability varies by term.
- Kentucky has real demand for special education teachers — a persistent shortage means qualified candidates from programs like this one are needed.
Compare Campbellsville’s online MASE with other accredited special education programs to find the concentration, cost, and timeline that fits your goals.
