MAT in Elementary Ed. to Education Specialist

Credit Hours

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

Jumpstart Your Teaching Career with an MAT in Elementary Education to EdS in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning

Do you have a desire to shape the future of our nation by inspiring the hearts and minds of students? Because childhood is an impressionable time, students need capable teachers who model good citizenship and inspire their pupils to become difference-makers. If that sounds like something you’re passionate about, then pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Elementary Education Curriculum to Education Specialist (EdS) in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning degree online at Liberty can help you take the next step in the world of education.

Whether you would like to switch careers or pursue positions of added responsibility, a dual degree program at Liberty can help you stand out from the competition.

As you prepare to take your education to the next level, you can be confident that Liberty’s education degree program has been designed with your – and your future students’ – success in mind.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Elementary Education Curriculum to Education Specialist (EdS) in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning.

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.

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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

Why Choose Liberty’s MAT to EdS Program?

At Liberty, we understand that you need a flexible, affordable online education program that challenges you to grow while allowing you to remain committed to your personal responsibilities. As you pursue Liberty’s MAT to EdS program, you can study and complete your degree requirements without having to travel to our campus. Additionally, your practicum and student teaching can be completed at approved locations near you. With this kind of flexibility, you can remain invested in your family and community while earning your MAT to EdS from the comfort of home.

In addition to the flexibility that Liberty offers, our MAT to EdS program is of the highest academic caliber. Our professors have advanced degrees in related areas of study and years of experience in their fields, so you can be confident that you are receiving a world-class education. Additionally, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). With recognition like this, you can confidently make an impact in the lives of your students.

What Will You Study in Our Dual MAT Program to EdS Degree?

Throughout Liberty’s Master of Arts in Teaching to Education Specialist degree program, you will study a variety of topics. Some of the topics you will explore include literacy instruction for grades PK-8, advanced tests and measurements, theories in curriculum design, and principles of behavior management. You will have the opportunity to blend theory and praxis as you apply what you have learned in an approved practicum and student teaching setting near you.

As you work through the courses in this degree, you can prepare to turn educational theory into practical, real-world experience. With the combined education of both our Master of Arts in Teaching – Elementary Education and our Education Specialist in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning, you can be better equipped to teach with distinction and purpose.

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

This program falls under the School of Education.
View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
This program requires a background check.
Complete at least 90 practicum hours and at least 1 full semester of student teaching prior to graduation.
This program can help you achieve your initial teaching licensure.
Upon completion of an eligible Graduate Education program, you may be eligible for certification through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Review the State-Specific Approval Disclosures.

Degree Completion Plan

State Licensure Requirements

Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

M.A.T. to Ed.S. Programs Full-Time	$430/Credit
M.A.T. to Ed.S. Programs Part-Time	$645/Credit
Military Graduate	$290/Credit

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Admission Information for Our MAT to EdS Online Program

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder*
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)

*Not applicable to certificates.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dual degree programs worth it?

Yes – we believe a dual degree is worth it! At Liberty, you can earn your master’s degree as well as your postgraduate degree at the same time. With credentials like these, you can stand out from others who may only have a master’s degree. Designed to meet licensure requirements in the Commonwealth of Virginia, your Master of Arts in Teaching can help you take your education career to the next level.

In addition, your Education Specialist degree can provide specialized knowledge in the field of education. As an education specialist, you may pursue curriculum design, standardized testing creation, or instructional planning. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of education by pursuing Liberty’s dual degree program and take the next step in shaping the future.

Does this program have any additional accreditation?

What are the benefits of pursuing a program like this online?

Will this program provide any hands-on experience?

Are you ready to change your future?

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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MAT in Elementary Education to EdS in School Curriculum Elementary Curriculum Mastery to Instructional Innovation

Jumpstart Your Teaching Career with an MAT in Elementary Education to EdS in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s MAT to EdS Program?

What Will You Study in Our Dual MAT Program to EdS Degree?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

State Licensure Requirements

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our MAT to EdS Online Program

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

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Military

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dual degree programs worth it?

Does this program have any additional accreditation?

What are the benefits of pursuing a program like this online?

Will this program provide any hands-on experience?

Are you ready to change your future?

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