Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Special Education – Early Childhood Education
Prepare for a Rewarding Career Providing Individualized Education for Developing Minds
Teaching young children is a rewarding career that can return much more than a paycheck. Take your passion for teaching and help fill the critical shortage of special education teachers in the United States. If you are currently a teacher, or you’re looking to make a career change, we have the training you need. Our Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Special Education – Early Childhood Education degree sets a clear path for you to obtain your initial teaching licensure and get the additional specialization in early childhood education.
Additionally, Liberty University’s online teaching degree in early childhood special education will develop your skills in teaching preschool subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. You will learn to teach basic academic and life process skills to young children who can benefit from a devoted teacher.
Liberty University offers detailed information about the educational requirements for licensure programs. To see if this program aligns with your state, you can research requirements here: https://www.liberty.edu/statelicensure/
What Will You Study in Our M.A.T. in Special Education Degree?
- Current trends in the education field
- Educational behavior and development
- How to adapt curriculum content and methods to the maturity level of the young child
- The effects of environment on learning
- The principles of behavior management as applied to children and youth in the classroom setting
Topics covered within this program include educational behavior and development, theories and methodologies of education, current trends in the education field, and methods of teaching with classroom management. You will also learn how to make decisions about student progress, instruction, program, placement, and transitional services.
Through your practicums and student teaching, you will apply what you learn under the mentorship of an experienced special education educator in classrooms throughout your community.
Career Opportunities for M.A.T. in Special Education – Early Childhood Education
- Consultant
- Early childhood special educator
- Family support specialist
- General curriculum special education teacher
- Home-based service provider
Highlights of Our Master’s in Special Education Degree
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- Online undergraduate tuition rates have been frozen for the last 10 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
- While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have lowered tuition for our Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Education programs. At $415 per credit hour for full-time students (at least 9 hours per semester), Liberty University’s M.A.T. 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.
Military Benefits
Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to:
- Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/retirees
- Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
- Current Department of Defense employees
We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $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)
These rates are reflective of academic year 2024-2025. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours

Available Online
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
CAEP