Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Special Education – General Curriculum Career and Technical Education (CTE) – Transition and Special Needs
Help Special Needs Students with Liberty’s Flexible 45-Hour M.A.T. in Special Education
If you want to teach and care for special needs students, you need specialized training and credentials. You can have a rewarding career helping special needs students and earn a grade-level specific credential with Liberty’s Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Special Education – General Curriculum Career and Technical Education (CTE) – Transition and Special Needs.
With the Career and Technical Education (CTE) – Transition and Special Needs add-on endorsement, you could prepare to work with students on transition planning, personal goals, and career or college readiness. With in-class experience, you can have the hands-on training and critical teaching knowledge you’ll need to be successful in your future classroom.
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 – General Curriculum 45-Hour Program?
Here are some of the specific subjects you will study throughout your program:
- Current trends in the education field
- Educational behavior and development
- Methods of teaching and classroom management
- Theories and methodologies of education
Through the M.A.T. in Special Education – General Curriculum, you will learn how to provide individualized education support and care for students with significant disabilities. You will learn to create lesson plans and provide intellectual stimulation for special needs students while encouraging growth.
With a CTE in Transition and Special Needs add-on endorsement, you could be more equipped to be a transition specialist in a K-12 school or district. The need for specialists who are able to formulate different college and career readiness transition strategies is ever-growing. As you pursue your degree, you can become more prepared to work in the special education field.
Through your practicums and student teaching, you will apply what you learn under the mentorship of an experienced special education educator in a classroom in your community.
Career Opportunities for M.A.T. in Special Education – General Curriculum 45-Hour Graduates
- Family support specialist
- Home-based service provider
- K-12 curriculum developer and manager
- Licensed special education teacher
- Special education consultant
- Teaching product developer
Highlights of the M.A.T. in Special Education
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.
- The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 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,* Liberty University’s M.A.T. online is available at one of the lowest tuition rates for this degree in the country.
- You can choose an additional endorsement area for initial licensure in elementary, middle grades, or secondary education for more flexibility.
- 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.
*Full-time status at the graduate level is defined as at least 9 credit hours per semester.
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)
Credit Hours

Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
CAEP










600+ Online Degrees
With over 600 online degrees, we have something that will accommodate your dreams and calling.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus
Our residential campus ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America. That commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well.
No tuition increase for 9 years
We want to help you pursue your goals – so while tuition rates at most universities have continued to increase over the years, the majority of our rates haven’t.
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Morgan Schlesselman, Master’s in Public Policy
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James, Master of Divinity