Master of Arts in Teaching Degree Online

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Degree Options

Online,* 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Lead the Way in Education with an Online Master of Arts in Teaching Degree

Are you looking to move into a new, rewarding teaching career? Or perhaps you already have a background in education. Conferring Liberty University’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree can help provide a path for you to advance your teaching skills. You can be more prepared to put your professional expertise to work in the classroom and potentially seek credentials for licensure.

Throughout our Master of Arts in Teaching degree, you’ll receive online content focused on theory, best practices, and methodology in teaching – then, you can put that knowledge into practice in the classroom during your practicums and student teaching.

Liberty’s online MAT degree pairs advanced learning theory with an evidence-based practical methodology, so you can be better equipped to help children and young adults thrive academically at every point along their educational journey.
Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Our School of Education is committed to providing quality education based on the principles of God’s Word. You can learn to be a positive influence in the lives of young people in your school and community and make an impact for Christ!

Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.

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

An MAT Degree That Works for You

Through Liberty’s master’s in teaching online, you can complete your coursework from the comfort of your home, gain hands-on experience with flexible scheduling, and gain a foothold for employment with a local school district during your student teaching. The online Master of Arts in Teaching offers a clear path for students seeking teaching licensure – and because it holds prestigious CAEP accreditation, you can be confident your degree has met rigorous educational standards.

Specifics for Our Master’s in Teaching Online

Our teacher education programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education and accredited under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation system. Graduates of Liberty’s teacher licensure program are eligible for licensure by the Commonwealth of Virginia in the teacher candidate’s approved specialization, other states by reciprocal agreement, and the Association of Christian Schools International.

After satisfying all course and core competency requirements, completing all practicums associated with the program, and passing the required Virginia assessments, you can be eligible for a Virginia teaching license in elementary, middle, secondary, or special education. Your teaching license can be used to teach in public, private, and charter schools in Virginia or in one of the states that have Virginia teacher reciprocity agreements.

Check out the topics below to learn more about how Liberty’s master’s degree in teaching equips you for teacher certification.

Reciprocity

Practicums and Student Teaching

Practicums allow you to learn alongside P-12 educators as you observe and integrate instructional strategies vital in today’s school system. These field experiences typically total at least 90 hours. Best of all, you can be in a setting that aligns with your program and licensure endorsement area!

Student teaching is the course that defines your final semester as you demonstrate all that you’ve learned during the program. You will be placed in an accredited school, completing hours under the supervision of a licensed Cooperating Teacher.

You will be in the classroom all day, every day, for a full semester, reflecting a full-time teacher’s schedule. Your experience will begin with observing and assisting the Cooperating Teacher and then gradually assuming primary responsibility of the classroom.

Your student teaching is a full-time commitment and is often viewed as a four-month interview for potential employment. As such, you should plan to minimize extracurricular activity and/or other work commitments to focus on completing student teaching to your full potential. Prior classroom experience may not be used to fulfill your program’s student teaching requirement.

Content Competencies

The Master of Arts in Teaching is designed to equip you with the skills, methodologies, and practical experiences for becoming an effective teacher. Part of this educational journey is growing and excelling in the content you will be instructing in your own classroom! As part of your elementary, middle, or secondary education training, you will complete courses that provide instruction on the various content areas you will be teaching, whether that be English, mathematics, social studies, or a variety of other subjects.

Upon acceptance, we will evaluate all of your previous accredited coursework to determine if you fulfill any content competency areas through prior education. Based on the results of your evaluation, an Academic Advisor will assist you in creating a plan for fulfilling the remainder of your content competencies, whether that be through undergraduate classes, graduate coursework, or CLEP testing.

Degree Information

This program falls under the School of Education.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
This program requires a background check.
Students will complete a semester of student teaching.
This program can help you achieve your initial teaching licensure.
Our program may make you eligible for certification through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Review state-specific approval disclosures.
Additional program details are available in the Online Graduate Advising Guide.

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Master of Arts in Teaching Program?

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue further studies in your area of specialization at the graduate level while becoming a certified teacher, Liberty University’s online master’s degree in teaching can help give you the necessary skills and knowledge you need to teach with excellence.

At Liberty, you’ll study online under industry-leading professionals with real-world teaching experience who provide personal examples and guidance for new teachers, as well as help for experienced teachers to hone their craft. And, like every graduate program offered by Liberty University’s School of Education, you’ll be learning from professors who teach from a biblical worldview and strive to encourage their students as engaged mentors.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

Private Nonprofit University
600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Potential Careers for MAT Graduates

Elementary teacher
High school teacher
Middle school teacher
Special education teacher

Degree Options for Liberty’s MAT Online

When you think about your teaching career, what type of students do you picture yourself teaching? Your answer to this question is a vital part of deciding what type of licensure-track degree you want. At Liberty, we offer MAT degrees tailored to teaching elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as those who have learning disabilities.

Check out our online MAT program specializations to see which program best suits your future classroom:

Elementary Education

Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education is designed to lead to licensure in grades PreK-6 by providing you with the foundations required to successfully teach math, natural sciences, language acquisition, and reading skills. In addition to foundational elementary teaching skills, you will also learn the basics of understanding and executing curriculum.

The Elementary endorsement is available as a 36-credit hour program or in a 45-credit hour option, which offers additional flexibility to complete content competencies.