Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Learning and Behavior Disorders/Elementary Education (LBD/ELED) prepares future teachers to earn dual certification in special education and elementary education. Graduates will be qualified to teach in general elementary classrooms (K-5) or special education settings (K-12) for students with learning and behavior disorders, including specific learning disabilities, autism, and emotional/behavioral disorders.

Who is this Program For?

A bachelor's degree in Learning and Behavior Disorders/Elementary Education is ideal for students who are passionate about supporting children with special needs and fostering inclusive learning environments. This program prepares graduates for careers as special education teachers, elementary educators, behavior interventionists, and equipping them with the skills to create individualized educational plans and promote academic success for students with diverse learning needs.

Program Details

• Credit Hours: 120
• Credential: BA
• Accreditation: This program is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), recognizing our commitment to high standards in teacher preparation.
• Offered by: The College of Education

Admission Requirements

• Official High School Transcript with Pre-College Curriculum: View transcript requirements on the Undergraduate Admission webpage.
• Test Scores (optional): ACT or SAT scores can be submitted but are not required for university admission.

Application Requirements

• Completed applications include an official high school transcript, application fee ($50 domestic/$60 international) and optional official ACT/SAT score (the University of Kentucky is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the academic year).

Application Deadlines

Freshman

• Early Action: 12/01/2025
• Regular Decision: 02/15/2026

Transfer

• Fall Scholarship: 06/15/2026
• Fall: 08/01/2026
• Spring: 11/15/2025
• Summer: 04/15/2026

Curriculum

The Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD) and Elementary Education curriculum combines coursework in special education and elementary education with extensive field experiences and student teaching, equipping future educators with the skills to create supportive and effective learning environments. Students gain expertise in individualized instruction, behavior management, assessment, content, and inclusive teaching strategies tailored to diverse learners.

Sample Curriculum Plan

• Freshman Year:
  • Fall Semester:
    • UKCRCC1: UK Core - Comp. & Comm. I
    • MA 111: INTRO TO CONTEMP MATH
    • EPE 174: THE COLLEGE STUDENT
    • HIS 108: HISTORY OF THE U.S. THRU 1876
    • EDS 375: INTRO TO EDUC OF EXCEPTN CHILDREN
  • Spring Semester:
    • UKCRCC2: UK Core - Comp. & Comm. II
    • STA 210: INTRO TO STATISTICAL REASONING
    • HIS 109: HISTORY OF THE U.S. SINCE 1877
    • BIO 103: BASIC IDEAS OF BIOLOGY
    • BIO 111: GENERAL BIOLOGY LAB
    • EDS 513: LEGAL ISSUES IN SPEC ED
• Sophomore Year:
  • Fall Semester:
    • EDP 202: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING
    • MA 201: MATH FOR ELEM TEACHERS
    • SPED-EDS: EDS 547 or 516
    • UKCRGDY: UK Core - Global Dynamics
    • IECE-ELE3: Elective (3 hours)
  • Spring Semester:
    • MA 202: MATH PROB SOLV ELEM TCHR
    • EDS 301: INITIAL PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
    • EDS 505: PREPARING TO TEACH DIVERSE LEARNERS
    • EDS 526: INTRO SPEC ED ASSESS & PLAN
    • EDS 570: LEARNING AND BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES
    • SPED-EDS: EDS 547 or 516
• Junior Year:
  • Fall Semester:
    • EPE 301: EDUCATION IN AMERICAN CULTURE
    • LIS 510: CHILDRENS LIT & RELATED MATERIALS
    • EDC 432G: PHONICS AND READING FOUNDATIONS
    • UKCRACR: UK Core - Arts and Creativity
    • LBDE-GuidEle: Guided Electives
  • Spring Semester:
    • EDC 322: ELEMENTARY PRACTICUM
    • EDC 326: TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES IN ELEM SCHOOL
    • SEM 328: TEACHING SCIENCE IN THE ELEM SCHOOL
    • SEM 337: TEACHING MATH IN ELEM SCHLS
    • EDC 339: DESGNG A READING/ LANG ARTS PGM ELEM SCH
    • EDC 317: INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA
• Senior Year:
  • Fall Semester:
    • EDS 518: BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT IN APPLIED SETTINGS
    • EDS 528: READING/ LANGUAGE ARTS METHODS FOR LD
    • EDS 529: EDUCTNL PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS WITH LD
    • GCCR course
    • EDS 402: ADVANCED PRACTICUM IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
    • IECE-ELE3: Elective (3 hours)
  • Spring Semester:
    • EDS 551: STUDENT TEACHING: SPED/ELED

Licensure

If you plan to obtain professional licensure outside of Kentucky, please refer to the Licensure page to confirm whether the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in your state of interest.