Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education – Special Education General Curriculum 45-Hour
Grow Your Career and Help Elementary Students with Special Needs by Earning Our 45-Hour MAT
Do you want to work with elementary students with special needs to overcome the challenges they face in school? Liberty’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education – Special Education General Curriculum 45-Hour program equips you for a rewarding career helping students with special needs at the K-6 grade levels.
Our special education program is also designed to meet the following rigorous standards to ensure you are ready for the classroom:
- Council of Exceptional Children (CEC)
- Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Model Core Teaching
- Virginia Department of Education for Special Education Adapted Curriculum K-6
With advanced special education training and in-class experience in your area, you will have the hands-on training and critical teaching knowledge you’ll need to be successful in your future classroom.
Liberty University offers detailed information about the educational requirements for licensure programs. To see if this program aligns with your state, you can research requirements here: https://www.liberty.edu/statelicensure/
What Will You Study in Our MAT in Elementary Education – Special Education?
- Current trends in elementary and special education
- Educational behavior and development
- Methods of teaching and classroom management
- Special education assessment and care
- Theories and methodologies of education
The MAT in Elementary Education provides an in-depth foundation of teaching practice and learning theory with essential studies in educational behavior and development, theories and methodologies of education, current trends in the education field, and classroom management.
Through your special education courses, you will learn how to provide individualized education support and care for students with significant disabilities, create lesson plans, and provide intellectual stimulation for special needs students while encouraging growth. You will also learn how to make decisions about student progress, instruction, program, placement, and transitional services.
As an online MAT student, you will complete a semester of student teaching at the end of the program. By working hands-on in the classroom under an experienced, licensed elementary school teacher, you will meet licensure requirements while developing your teaching style.
Career Opportunities for Graduates of the 45-Hour MAT in Elementary Education – Special Education
- Elementary education curriculum developer and manager
- Elementary school teacher
- Family support specialist
- Special education general curriculum teacher (K-6)
- Teaching product developer
Highlights of Our 45-Hour Master’s in Elementary Education Degree
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have lowered tuition for our Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Education programs. At $415 per credit hour for full-time enrollment (at least 9 hours per semester), Liberty University’s MAT online is available at one of the lowest tuition rates for this degree in the country.
- This program includes the requirements for teaching licensure endorsements in elementary education and special education.
- Pursuing our online Master of Arts in Teaching licensure track may make you eligible for the Federal TEACH Grant.
- Liberty University’s School of Education meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
- Because this is an online degree, you will have the opportunity to network with educators from across the country.
- This program may help you be eligible for certification through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Military Benefits
Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to:
- Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/retirees
- Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
- Current Department of Defense employees
We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve 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)
Credit Hours
Available Online
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
CAEP
