Master Of Arts In Teaching MAT In Special Education
0
Credit Hours
Degree CAEP
Class Type
100% online,* 8-week courses
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
May 13, 2024
Accreditation
CAEP

Take Your First Steps Toward a Career in Special Education with a Master of Arts in Teaching

Are you excited about pursuing a career in the special education field and becoming a licensed teacher? If you are currently a teacher or you’re looking to make a career change, you can pursue your dream at Liberty. Our master’s in special education online degree sets a clear path for you to obtain your initial teaching licensure. Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Special Education program can help you achieve your career goals.

With core courses in learning theory and behavior management, you will study education assessment and intervention. You can also develop skills in building strategies for successful, inclusive classrooms. Our online master’s degree in special education can help give you the tools you need to help students be successful in the classroom.

At Liberty University, we created our online special education MAT degree program with your success in mind. Our program is designed to be completed in as little as 1.5 years and allows you to continue to work while earning your master’s degree. Our goal is to support you as both a student and a teaching professional.

Additionally, Liberty University’s online teaching degree in special education allows you to pursue multiple areas of study. Many students choose to pursue a dual endorsement to expand their marketability. For more information, please see our career section below.

Upon successful completion of Liberty University’s Virginia state-approved Master of Arts in Teaching program, you may apply for your teaching license in another state through reciprocity, which may or may not result in additional requirements based on your state’s Department of Education regulations.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.


Why Choose Liberty’s MAT in Special Education Online Degree Program?

Are you looking for a career that can help you make a positive impact in the lives of students with special needs? Do you want to learn how to approach challenging special education topics, such as how to teach special education math? If you’re interested in becoming a special ed teacher, we can help you!

Liberty’s MAT degree in special education can help provide you with the training you need. Our program is not just a special education teacher degree — we train educators who want to help students learn and grow. It’s who you are and who you aspire to become.

At Liberty University, we strive to use the power of faith and education to transform people and the world. When reviewing special education masters programs online, we know that you want to find a program that fits your values. Our 100% online special education program is designed to help integrate your faith into your professional life.

You can complete courses taught from a Christian worldview with cutting-edge techniques and information for teacher education. Plus, you can complete student teaching to gain hands-on experience prior to graduation.

Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). You can be confident that you’re receiving an education of the highest quality.

We want to help you reach your goals, so we’re making a master’s degree more flexible and affordable. Most of our courses are offered in an 8-week online format to allow you to work and earn your degree at the same time. You can add to your skill set, broaden your professional capacity, and make a bigger impact on your students with an online graduate degree in education from Liberty University. At Liberty University, our special education online teaching degree seeks to prepare you professionally and spiritually.

Common Questions

What education is required to become a special education teacher?
If you want to teach in a special education program, you need to meet specific requirements. You may have completed an unrelated bachelor’s degree or did not choose a special education focus in your education degree. Our licensure track Master of Arts in Teaching is designed to help you meet state licensure requirements in either case.

This program seeks to address essential special education topics to prepare you to work with students with special needs. You can also get the hands-on experience you need to fulfill state requirements for licensure.

How many credit hours is a masters degree in education? Why is there a 36-, 45-, and 51-hour track?
Liberty University offers masters in special education degrees with a 36- or 45-hour length.

The shorter 36-hour length allows you to complete your online special education credential in as little as 1.5 years. This length works best for students who are building on current licensure to expand their teaching in classrooms with moderately disabled or special needs students.

The 45-hour track provides additional room to pursue a second endorsement area, allowing you to gain additional training in another area such as elementary, middle grades, or high school teaching.

The 51-hour track offers you the opportunity to pursue dual endorsements along with an add-on endorsement. By choosing a 51-hour MAT, you’ll be able to earn an advanced licensure-track credential with a considerable amount of versatility. 


What Can You Do with a Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education?

The special education MAT program is designed to provide the training needed to teach special education in the classroom as a licensed teacher. Our degree also prepares students with special education expertise that can apply to many roles in education administration and program coordination.

Here are some areas that may be open to you as a licensed teacher in special education:

Special Education Teachers

Teachers in this field often apply their skills to multiple levels of education to help schools meet the needs of special needs students.

With a dual endorsement, you may also meet licensure requirements for elementary, middle grades, and secondary education.

Instructional Coordinators

With expertise in curriculum and teaching methods, instructional coordinators apply what they know about the teaching process to help schools make their learning process better.

In addition to your other teaching experience and training, you can use a special education focus to help schools develop effective special needs education.

Adding Multiple Endorsements
You may also choose to pursue a dual endorsement. By choosing the specialization below that fits your desired path, you can graduate with licensure in special education and another endorsement area. Recommended areas are elementary education, middle grades, or secondary education.

If you need additional content competencies to meet for your additional endorsement area, you can potentially fulfill them through the 45-hour MAT program. Please note that you may also require additional steps for licensure. For more information about dual endorsements, please contact one of our admissions counselors at (800) 424-9596.


What Will You Learn in Our Master’s of Special Education Online?

Becoming a special education teacher requires more than what you can find in textbooks. Through your special education classes, you can learn to teach lessons and provide intellectual stimulation for special needs students. This program trains you on the best approaches to education topics for students with mild to severe disabilities. You can learn how to build special education programs for learning disabilities and assess the needs of students with special needs.

You can also learn how to care for and nurture your students emotionally, socially, and spiritually. You can study educational behavior and development, theories and methodologies of education, current trends in the education field, and methods of teaching with classroom management.

Each child is a unique individual created by God. Becoming a special education teacher can help you teach them in a way that meets their needs. Therefore, our courses are taught from a Christian perspective by educators equipped with years of experience teaching in the field of special education. You can learn how to apply a biblical worldview to your classroom in Christian, private, public, or homeschool settings.

Featured Courses

Specializations
Highlights
Degree Information
Military Benefits
Careers
Admission Requirements

Benefits of an Online Special Education Teaching Degree

  • We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. Earning your online MAT in Special Education degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
  • While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have lowered our tuition for our Master of Arts in Teaching program. At $415 per credit hour for full-time, Liberty University’s MAT online is available at one of the lowest tuition rates for this degree in the country.

  • Pursuing our online Master of Arts in Teaching licensure-track may make you eligible for the Federal TEACH Grant.
  • Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
  • Because this is an online degree, you will have the opportunity to network with educators from across the country.
  • Receive real-world experience with your required in-person practicums and 1 semester of student teaching. 

Master of Arts in Teaching Degree Information

 Apply Now    Request Info

Military Benefits

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe. Whether you are a current service member, discharged or retired from service, or the spouse of a service member or veteran, we are here to support you through every step of the journey.

As a thank-you for your dedication and service to our country, Liberty is honored to serve and support you in your pursuit of online education by offering the following benefits:

  • The discounted tuition rate of $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
  • Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)
  • 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

What Career Can You Pursue with a Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education?

  • The Special Education MAT program is designed to provide the training needed to help you find opportunities to teach special education in the classroom as a licensed teacher!
  • If you need additional content competencies to meet for your additional endorsement area, you can potentially fulfill them through the 45-hour MAT program. Please note that you may also require additional steps for licensure. For more information about dual endorsements, please contact one of our admissions counselors at (800) 424-9596.

Admission Requirements for Online Graduate Programs

Applicants must have a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA or above for admission in good standing. Please visit our admission requirements page for more detailed admissions-related information.

All applicants must submit the following:

  • Admission application
  • Application fee*
  • Official college transcripts
  • Unofficial college transcripts may be accepted with a completed official transcript request form**
  • Proof of English proficiency (for applicants whose native language is other than English)

*There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required.

**An official transcript is needed within 60 days of acceptance or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first.

Liberty University offers the following specializations for the M.A.T. in Special Education:

Adapted Curriculum

Early Childhood Education

General and Adapted Curriculum

General Curriculum