Middle Grades Education (RANK1)

Rank 1 Program in Middle Grades Education Advanced Practitioner
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (ED)
Department:  Elementary, Middle and Secondary Teacher Education
Program Website 
Academic Plan Code(s): MSEDRK1MAP

Program Information

Rank 1 programs are not degree programs.

Rank 1 programs are planned graduate level programs designed for Kentucky teachers seeking rank change for salary purposes. They are recognized only in the state of Kentucky. By state regulation, Rank 1 status is 60 credit hours of approved graduate credit including a master's degree.

Teachers who complete a Rank 1 program may obtain a Rank change for salary purposes in Kentucky. Through a Rank 1 program, teachers may increase their depth of knowledge in their teaching areas or in additional areas of certification, as appropriate.

Admissions Requirements

Students may apply to the program by first going to the Graduate School website. Admission requirements include the following credentials:

• Graduate application.
• Official transcripts with a GPA of 2.75 in the Bachelor's degree and a GPA of 3.0 in the master's degree.
• Applicants who have attended a college or university outside of the United States are also required to submit an evaluation of their transcript through either World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). Please note that transcript evaluations can sometimes take several weeks.​
• All applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit official TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test. English proficiency can also be met by submitting official IELTS scores of at least 6.5 overall band score from the academic module exam or official Duolingo overall score of 105.  Students holding a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States may be exempt from this requirement.
• Teaching certificate in Middle Grades Education and a master's degree/Rank II
• Signed Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement

Please have transcripts sent to:

University of Louisville
Graduate School, Admissions
Houchens Building, Suite 105
Louisville, KY 40292

If transcripts are sent electronically, please have them sent to the following e-mail: gradadm@louisville.edu.

Rank 1 Requirements

(For teachers who have earned a master's degree)

Up to fifteen (15) credit hours of graduate credit may be transferred to the Rank 1 program, as long as the student will have completed 60 credit hours of approved graduate credit including a masters degree at the end of the Rank 1 program. Transfer credit must be officially accepted by the advisor and final acceptance is dependent upon receipt of official transcripts.

In the Rank 1 program, at least fifteen (15) credit hours of new graduate coursework must be taken at the University of Louisville.

To complete the program, students must have minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average. No grade lower than B-minus will be accepted.

Midpoint Requirement

Candidates are required to submit a mid-point performance assessment to their faculty advisor at the completion of fifteen (15) credit hours of coursework. The faculty advisor will assess the candidate's performance assessment, which must be at the Exemplary or Target level.  The performance assessment must address content, classroom environment, teaching, assessing, and reflection, using an artifact (such as a video), to document professional learning.

Exit Requirements:  Hallmark Assessment Task for EDAP 681 or equivalent project that demonstrates proficiency in the Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards.

*

 Course project must address all of the Kentucky Academic Standards.