MAT Online – Middle Education Empower Young Minds
4
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
Middle school can be a challenging, formative time for many children. Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Middle Education online program is designed to meet the growing need for middle school teachers who know how to lead and inspire students.
Maybe you’re seeking initial teaching licensure, or perhaps you’re looking to launch a new career in education as a middle school teacher. Either way, our program can help equip you to pursue your career goals and make a positive difference in the lives of your students. You can gain the tools you need to help children and adolescents succeed in their educational journey.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Middle Education.
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.
In this program, you’ll take core courses that cover important topics in the field of education, including classroom management, instructional strategies, and theories of learning. The middle education specialization explores how to teach math, natural sciences, literacy, or social studies at the middle school level.
You can also learn how to plan and implement a curriculum that meets your students’ needs and allows them to thrive. By understanding the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of middle schoolers, you can provide the leadership and guidance they need to succeed in school and in life.
At the end of this program, you’ll complete a semester of student teaching to gain real-world experience in the field of education.
We strive to live out Christ-like characteristics and to use the power of faith and education to transform people and the world. Our online middle school program is designed to help you integrate ethical standards with your professional life. As a Liberty student, you can be equipped to grow academically, professionally, and spiritually.
We don’t just train educators – we train educators who want to make a positive impact on the next generation. We care about who you are and who you aspire to become. We want to help you reach your goals, so we’re making a master’s degree more affordable. 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.
Choosing Liberty means choosing a degree that fits your schedule. We’ve designed our online MAT degree program with your success in mind. With no set login times, you can complete your online courses whenever you need – as long as you meet your weekly deadlines.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
Visit our Degree Completion Plan (DCP) webpage or select one of the programs below for more information.
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.
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.
| Graduate Education Full Time | $430/Credit |
|---|---|
| Graduate Education Part Time | $645/Credit |
| Military Graduate | $290/Credit |
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.
All Tuition & Fees
Please note: Guidelines are subject to change in federal or state regulations for the licensure of school personnel.
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
Please see the Online Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
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:
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.
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
Available Benefits:
*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.
Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
If you’re wondering what the best master’s degree is for teachers, you’ll want to understand how a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and a Master of Education (MEd) can each impact your career prospects.
An MAT is designed to train students for a career in the classroom. With our MAT program, you can pursue initial teaching licensure and gain the practical, hands-on skills needed to be a middle school teacher. In contrast, an MEd can help you prepare for educational leadership roles outside the classroom. An MEd may be right for you if you already have your teaching license but want to earn a master’s degree. By pursuing Liberty’s MEd, you could work in school administration or in curriculum and instruction development.
Yes, students in this program obtain hands-on experience with in-person practicums and student teaching.
If you’re interested in earning an Education Specialist degree as well as your MAT, our online Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle Education Curriculum to Education Specialist (EdS) in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning is a great option.
Inner Navigation
Have questions?
*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.