MAT to EdS Dual Degree | Middle Education & School Curriculum

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

Gain Twice the Marketability with Liberty’s Online MAT in Middle Education to EdS in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning

Are you interested in earning a graduate degree and a teaching license? Perhaps you’re convinced that a career in education is for you – and you’d like to double down on your commitment to tomorrow’s leaders by completing a master’s degree and a doctoral-level credential in one fell swoop. If this sounds like you, Liberty University’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Middle Education Curriculum to Education Specialist (EdS) in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning is an excellent choice.

Historically, students haven’t always had the opportunity to pursue doctoral-level studies and graduate-level studies at the same time. In fact, the graduate-to-doctoral step is typically sequential – you might spend 3 or 4 years completing a master’s and an additional 2 earning your EdS.

Six years is a considerable amount of time – especially if you’re a working professional with bills to pay and a family to feed. At Liberty, we understand that you can’t put your life on hold to go back to school. That’s why our MAT to EdS track is designed to be completed quickly.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Middle 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 Dual MAT in Middle Education to EdS Program?

As a pioneer in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to design a flexible and affordable online degree program for busy people. Our MAT to EdS degree online is offered in mostly 8-week sections with no required intensives – allowing you to further your education without having to travel to a residential campus.

Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Earning a CAEP-accredited degree from a regionally accredited university like Liberty can help you command respect in the field of education.

Another benefit to this degree program is licensure. Oftentimes, universities require students to complete residential programs in order to become licensed teachers – but through our MAT to EdS degree online, you are able work towards earning a teaching license while taking mostly online courses. Though the practicums and internship embedded in this program require you to work in a classroom near you, the hands-on experience you gain through your field placements can serve as a valuable opportunity for you to put what you learn into practice.

What Will You Study in Our MAT to Online Education Specialist Degree

This dual degree program consists of 2 sections: the MAT in Middle Education Curriculum and the Education Specialist in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning.

In the MAT in middle grades section, you will study instructional strategies for diverse learners, principles of behavior management, and literacy instruction for grades PK-8. You will also study literacy across the curriculum, take a few elective courses and fulfill your content competencies, and explore procedures for instructional content. In the EdS section, you will study advanced educational philosophy and theories of learning. You will also study advanced tests and measurements, theory in curricular design, and the role of the reflective practitioner.

This dual degree program also allows you to gain valuable experience in real-world educational settings. As part of this online MAT to EdS program, you’ll complete 2 practicums at an approved location near you. You will also complete a student teaching placement. That way, you can graduate from this program a more confident, prepared professional whose knowledge of curriculum development and teaching methods is rooted in real-world experience.

Upon successful completion of this program, you will have earned both an MAT and an EdS – 2 valuable credentials that can help take your career to new heights.

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

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Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Our MAT to EdS Degree

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.

Please note: Guidelines are subject to change in federal or state regulations for the licensure of school personnel.

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

Will my doctoral-level credits be usable towards any other degrees?

Will this program provide any hands-on experience?

Are you ready to change your future?

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App Fee Waived This Week*

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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 Middle Education to EdS in School Curriculum Shaping Leaders of the Future

Gain Twice the Marketability with Liberty’s Online MAT in Middle Education to EdS in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Dual MAT in Middle Education to EdS Program?

What Will You Study in Our MAT to Online Education Specialist 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 Degree

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

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Military

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my doctoral-level credits be usable towards any other degrees?

Will this program provide any hands-on experience?

Are you ready to change your future?

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