Graduate Education FAQs

All of the following programs are approved at state (EPSB) and national (CAEP) levels. They can be used to fulfill requirements for rank II and rank I.

Download the major sheets for each of the following programs

Master of Arts

MA programs are for certified teachers seeking to further their education. Each program can be used for rank II or rank I certification.

• Special Education: Learning & Behavior Disorders, P-12
• English as a Second Language, P-12
• Literacy Specialist, P-12
• Principal Licensure

Certification-only, Rank I

The following programs are for certified teachers who have already obtained their master’s degree and would like to add an additional certification area and/or obtain Rank I certification. A master’s degree is not conferred at the end of these programs.

• Special Education: Learning and Behavior Disorders, P-12
• English as a Second Language, P-12
• Literacy Specialist, P-12

The same pre-requisites for the Ed.S degree apply to the following certification-only programs.

• Instructional Supervisor
• Principal Licensure
• Director of Pupil Personnel

Master of Arts in Teaching

MAT programs are for students who hold a bachelor’s degree and would like to receive initial teaching certification. All of our MAT programs can be completed via Option 6 (Alternative Certification) or through the traditional route (where coursework is followed by a full semester of student teaching).

• Biology, 8-12 (degree in biology required)
• Chemistry, 8-12 (degree in chemistry required)
• Mathematics, 8-12 (degree in mathematics required)
• English, 8-12 (degree in English required)
• Social Studies, 8-12 (degree in social studies required)
• French, P-12 (degree in French required)
• Latin, P-12 (degree in Latin required)
• Spanish, P-12 (degree in Spanish required)
• Special Education: Learning & Behavior Disorders, P-12 (bachelor’s degree in any area is a sufficient prerequisite)
• English as a Second Language, P-12 (bachelor’s degree in any area is a sufficient prerequisite)
• Middle School Education (two content areas required: English, Math, Science, Soc. Stud. or LBD)
• Elementary Education P-5 (bachelor’s degree in any area is a sufficient prerequisite)

Education Specialist (Ed.S): Principal Licensure / Instructional Supervisor Certification/ Director of Pupil Personnel Licensure (Fall Start)

The Ed.S. Program includes three certifications in one program. It is designed for certified teachers who hold a master’s degree, have at least three years of successful teaching experience, and would like to pursue a school leadership role.

• Level I: 30 hour certification program
• Level II: Ed.S degree upon completion of 6 additional credit hours + 1 credit research project

Superintendent Certification Program

Asbury’s School Superintendent Certification program is designed for certified administrators who hold a master’s degree and have at least three years of school administration experience. Learn More

This varies by student, semester start, and program. All Graduate Education students attend part-time. Average completion time (including summer semesters):

• Master of Arts (programs for certified teachers)
  LBD (7-8 sem.), ESL, Literacy Specialist, (6 sem.) Principal (5-6 sem.)
• Master of Arts in Teaching (initial certification)
  LBD, Elementary (7-8 sem.), ESL, P-12 Spanish, French, Latin/Secondary/Middle School Ed (6-7 sem.) 
• Education Specialist/Principal Licensure/Instructional Supervisor/Director of Pupil Personnel
  Level I licensure (5 sem.), Level II Education Specialist Degree (7 sem.)
• Superintendent Certification (2 sem.)

Prerequisites for the Master of Arts programs

• Valid Kentucky teaching certificate
• Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA in your bachelor’s degree or advanced degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
• No additional exams are required for entrance into the program

Prerequisites for the Master of Arts in Teaching programs

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • For the MAT in ESL, LBD, or ELE a bachelor’s degree in any area will suffice.
  • For the MAT in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Social Studies, French, Latin, Spanish, or Middle School content areas (choose two) including English, Math, Social Studies, or Science, then a bachelor’s degree in the corresponding content area is required.
• Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA in your bachelor’s degree or advanced degree
• Passing score on the appropriate content area PRAXIS exam (if applicable).
  • For the MAT in any of the following content areas, you will need to pass the corresponding PRAXIS exam prior to admission:
    • Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Social Studies, French, Latin, Spanish, Middle School content areas (choose two) including English, Math, Social Studies, or Science. (English as a Second Language, Elementary Education, and Learning and Behavior Disorders students are exempt from this prerequisite)
    • Contact Asbury’s Graduate Education Admissions Department for more information.
• Passing score on the TOEFL exam if your first language is not English

Note: You must pass all required exams before being admitted. Asbury will not confer provisional acceptance pending exams.

Prerequisites for the Ed.S program and PLP, IS, and DPP certification programs

• Valid teaching certificate
• Master’s degree with a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA (a Kentucky 5th Year certification does not fulfill this prerequisite. You must hold a master’s degree.)
• Minimum 3 years of successful teaching experience in an EPSB-approved P-12 school
• No additional exams are required for entrance to the program

Prerequisites for the Superintendent Certification program

• Master’s Degree (3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale)
• Current qualifications for KY Teaching Certification
• Completion of Levels I and II preparation and certification for the position of school principal, or supervisor of instruction; OR for a candidate who completed preparation for principal prior to 1988, completion of the assessments for administration; and completion of at least three (3) years of full-time teaching experience, including at least 140 days per year.
• 3 Years of administrative experience in an EPSB-approved school

All Graduate Education programs are offered online with live weekly meetings hosted via Asbury Online. Most classes are offered in eight-week sessions, allowing for expeditious program completion.

Field-based clinicals are integral to each program of study:

• Master of Arts in Teaching
  • Option 6 (alternative certification) - Many clinical hours will be applied from the classroom teaching experience.* No student teaching will be required.
  • Traditional route to certification - Students fulfill clinical hours in approved Kentucky P-12 classrooms as school and course-embedded hours. A full semester of student teaching will be required as the culminating clinical assignment.
• Ed.S/PLP/IS/DPP
  • The principal licensure program offers both traditional and Option 6 routes to certification.*

* See "What is Option 6 (alternative certification)" below for more information.

Option 6 (alternative certification) is available to Asbury University students enrolled in the following programs:

• All Master of Arts in Teaching programs
• Principal Licensure (MA and Post Masters)
• Director of Pupil Personnel

When the student is admitted to the program, he/she will be provided with an acceptance letter noting eligibility for a Temporary Provisional Teaching Certification within the area the student is studying. When the letter is conferred, the student may pursue a teaching job in any EPSB-approved P-12 school. Once hired, the student will work with Asbury University's Certification Specialist and will be granted a Temporary-Provisional teaching certification. The Temporary-Provisional teaching certificate can be renewed only twice. For that reason, the student must complete the program within three years of beginning the Option 6 route to certification by holding to the signed course plan provided by the Graduate Education department at Asbury University. The KTIP year is also built into the program. Upon graduation, the student will be granted a 4-year Professional teaching certificate.

Traditional certification (which includes a full semester of student teaching) is available in all programs provided by the Graduate Education department.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Graduate Education Admissions Officer at (859) 858-3511, x2502 or GradEd@asbury.edu if you have any questions about how Option 6 works.

We can accept up to 9 credit hours of course substitutions for master’s programs and up to 6 credit hours for educational leadership programs (Principal, Instructional Supervisor, and Director of Pupil Personnel).

In order to receive course substitutions, you will need to request a substitution request form from the Admissions Officer at GradEd@asbury.edu prior to being accepted to your program. We will ask that you supply the completed form, a course description, and possibly a syllabus for each class you wish to transfer in. Each request will be reviewed, and the Admissions Officer will inform you as to whether the substitutions were approved or denied.

Graduate Program Tuition 

Most courses are also assessed a $30-50 technological flat fee. Initial teaching certification clinical courses are assessed additional supervisory fees.

Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) is available to those who qualify. For more information, please contact the Financial Aid Department at financial.aid@asbury.edu or 859.858.3511 x2195.

Though Asbury’s Graduate Education department does not provide scholarships, you may be interested in the Teach Grant. Additional funding options could be available for students pursuing a certification in Special Education. Contact the Graduate Education Admissions Department for more information.

For payment plans or direct payment information, please visit Student Accounts.

We offer open enrollment, but request that all application materials be received at least two weeks prior to the first day of the semester.

Spring

Application and Materials Due: December 15

Summer

Application and Materials Due: May 1

Fall

Application and Materials Due: August 1

You may apply online free of charge. After you apply the Graduate Education Admissions Officer will follow up with you regarding next steps.

Master of Arts / Master of Arts in Teaching:

• Character and fitness form (sent to the email provided after submission of your application)
• Reference waiver and contact information for three references: professional, personal, and employer* (part of the application)
• PRAXIS II exam scores (English as a Second Language, Elementary Education, and Learning and Behavior Disorders students are exempt from this prerequisite)
• Official transcripts required from the institutions that granted all undergraduate and graduate degrees. In addition, we require transcripts from any and all graduate level programs you have attended, even if a degree was not granted. Transcripts are to be sent directly from the granting institution to:
  Asbury University
  Graduate Education Department
  1 Macklem Drive
  Wilmore, KY 40390
• Copy of current teaching licensure (required of certified teachers only)
• Interview (a written interview form will be sent after all other materials have been received)

Ed.S: Principal/Instructional Supervisor/Director of Pupil Personnel Licensure

• Character and fitness form (sent to your email inbox as a linked form)
• Reference waiver and contact information for three references*: Principal, Superintendent OR master’s professor, and a colleague (please fill out the appropriate contact information before submitting your application)
• Official transcripts required from the institutions that granted all undergraduate and graduate degrees. In addition, we require transcripts from any and all graduate level programs you have attended, even if a degree was not granted. Transcripts are to be sent directly from the granting institution to:
  Asbury University
  Graduate Education Department
  1 Macklem Drive
  Wilmore, KY 40390
• Applicant letter with attached resume or curriculum vitae
  • 3-5 page max, double-spaced, documenting the following:
    • skills and understanding related to his/her ability to improve student achievement
    • evidence of ability to exhibit both leadership and an advanced knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
    • Personal Statement of career goals

• Interview - This will be scheduled for you when all items listed above are received

Superintendent Certification Program

• Written letter of recommendation from a supervisor/education agency representative attesting to applicant’s suitability for school leadership*
• Completed online application
• Official transcripts
• Character and Fitness Form (digitally sent after applying)
• University Screening Committee Interview

*When the admission department obtains your reference contact information, they will send out a link to our online reference form. The email will be sent to the address listed on your application for each reference. It is not necessary for you to request any recommendation letters.