Master’s in Special Education – Early Childhood & General Curriculum Early Expert Intervention Leads To Lifelong Impact

51

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online,* 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Do you have a desire to reach those with special needs? Maybe you’d like to take the next step in your teaching career by earning a license, or perhaps you are just getting started in this exciting field. With a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education – Early Childhood Special Education and General Curriculum from Liberty, you can get the credentials you need to pursue your goals.

You want more than an education – you want to make an impact. At Liberty, we offer a training ground for developing strong leaders and an unmatched dedication to your success. With both early childhood and general curriculum endorsements, you can prepare to work with children with special needs of all ages – from their early years through 12th grade.

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.


Niche Best Colleges

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

What Sets Us Apart?

  • 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

We know that you are passionate about serving children with special needs – and we also know that you may have other commitments that prevent you from attending courses in person. That’s why at Liberty, our master’s in special education program is offered online with no set login times, which means that you can complete all of your practicums and student teaching at an approved school near you!

We believe that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality for flexibility – and at Liberty, you don’t have to. Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In addition, Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). As you complete your master’s in special education online at Liberty, you can be confident that you are receiving a world-class education.

Throughout your online special education degree program, you’ll find that our courses are taught by knowledgeable professors who have years of experience and advanced degrees to match. You’ll have the opportunity to study under faculty who are dedicated to your success – from your first day of class to graduation.


In our master’s degree in special education, you will take a wide variety of courses that are designed to help you serve children of all ages. Some of the topics covered in this degree include curriculum and methods for early childhood education, characteristics and medical aspects of severe disabilities, and individualized programming and curriculum.

Additionally, you will dive into topics like transition and assessment for exceptional learners, foundations in early literacy instruction, and principles of behavior management. One of the hallmarks of our master’s in early childhood special education is the opportunity to gain field experience through practicums and student teaching – which you can complete at an approved location near you! When paired with a degree from Liberty, field experience can help set you apart from other job candidates.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)


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.


Top 1% For Online Programs

Not sure what to choose?

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


Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Graduate Education Full-Time $415/Credit
Graduate Education Part-Time $615/Credit
Military Graduate $275/Credit

All Tuition & Fees


Ready to Apply?

Submit your application online or over the phone.


Military

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 – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
  • Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
  • 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.