MAT in Secondary Education to EdS in School Curriculum Fast-Forward Your Credentials With A Dual Degree
60
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
Students in middle and high school are at a critical point in their lives. Middle schoolers face many challenges as they transition into young adulthood, and high schoolers have to start making important decisions about the future – such as what career they want to pursue and what their plans are for college. As an educator, you have the opportunity to help these students make wise decisions and achieve success in their personal, professional, and academic endeavors.
Take the next step in your education career with Liberty’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Secondary Education Curriculum to Education Specialist (EdS) in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning. Through this online dual degree program, you can meet the requirements for earning initial teaching licensure in the state of Virginia while receiving advanced educational training at both the master’s and postgraduate level.
By pursuing your online Master of Arts in Teaching and Education Specialist degrees at the same time, you can finish these degrees faster than you would if you completed them separately – and you can earn valuable credentials that could help set you apart from the competition. Whether you want to teach at a public or private school, our Master of Arts in Teaching – Secondary Education Curriculum to EdS in School Curriculum and Instructional Planning can help bolster your knowledge of evidence-based classroom practices and teaching methods.
Partner with us and prepare to make a difference in the lives of the children you teach.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Secondary 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.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
At Liberty, we don’t just train educators – we train educators who want to make a positive impact on the next generation. We want to help you reach your goals, so we’re making our MAT to EdS more flexible, affordable, and accessible. Upon successful completion of required coursework, practicums, student teaching, and licensure exams, you can become eligible for a Virginia state teaching license.
Our MAT in Secondary Education degree to Education Specialist degree online is designed to fit your busy schedule. You can complete most of your assignments from the comfort of your home – and you’ll have the freedom to complete your practicum and student teaching requirements at an approved location near you. That way, you can get the practical, hands-on training and skills you need to become a licensed educator without leaving your area.
At Liberty, you won’t have to sacrifice quality for flexibility. Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Additionally, Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) – so you can rest assured that our degree programs are of the highest quality.
Typically, EdS programs require a master’s degree for admission – but by choosing this dual degree program, you can start your MAT and EdS at the same time with just a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, this program requires fewer credit hours than the individual MAT and EdS degrees combined – saving you time and money.
In this program, you’ll explore practical methods for teaching secondary students as well as dive into the theory and practice of curricular design and instructional planning. As you work through the program, you can complete the content competencies and field experience requirements needed to become a licensed educator.
Some of the topics you’ll study include instructional strategies for diverse learners, principles of behavior management, literacy, and instructional procedures. You’ll also dive into educational philosophy, theories of learning, curricular design, and advanced tests and measurements. The degree completion plan includes room for several elective courses, giving you the chance to personalize your degree and study topics that are most relevant to your desired career path. The elective courses can also be used to fulfill outstanding content competencies needed to achieve initial state teaching licensure – bringing you one step closer to becoming a licensed educator.
In addition to completing online courses, you’ll participate in practicum and student teaching placements at an approved location near you. That way, you can put your skills to the test and gain hands-on experience that can help you boost your résumé and graduate career-ready.
Degree Completion Plan
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.
| M.A.T. to Ed.S. Full-Time | $430/Credit |
|---|---|
| M.A.T. to Ed.S. Part-Time | $645/Credit |
| Military Graduate | $290/Credit |
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
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Lynchburg, VA 24515
Submit your application online or over the phone.
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).
Our MAT to EdS dual degree program is approved by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
This program is designed to help you pursue initial teaching licensure for grades 6-12.
This program may help you become eligible for certification through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Receive in-the-field training with 90 practicum hours and 1 semester of student teaching.
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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.