Master of Arts in Teaching | MAT Degree Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
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Degree Options
Online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Lead the Way in Education with an Online Master of Arts in Teaching Degree
Are you looking to move into a new, rewarding teaching career? Or perhaps you already have a background in education. Conferring Liberty University’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree can help provide a path for you to advance your teaching skills. You can be more prepared to put your professional expertise to work in the classroom and potentially seek credentials for licensure.
Throughout our Master of Arts in Teaching degree, you’ll receive online content focused on theory, best practices, and methodology in teaching — then, you can put that knowledge into practice in the classroom during your practicums and student teaching.
- Liberty’s online MAT degree pairs advanced learning theory with an evidence-based practical methodology, so you can be better equipped to help children and young adults thrive academically at every point along their educational journey.
- 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 School of Education is committed to providing quality education based on the principles of God’s Word. You can learn to be a positive influence in the lives of young people in your school and community and make an impact for Christ!
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.
An MAT Degree That Works for You
Through Liberty’s master’s in teaching online, you can complete your coursework from the comfort of your home, gain hands-on experience with flexible scheduling, and gain a foothold for employment with a local school district during your student teaching. The online Master of Arts in Teaching offers a clear path for students seeking teaching licensure — and because it holds prestigious CAEP accreditation, you can be confident your degree has met rigorous educational standards.
Specifics for Our Master’s in Teaching Online
Our teacher education programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education and accredited under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation system. Graduates of Liberty’s teacher licensure program are eligible for licensure by the Commonwealth of Virginia in the teacher candidate’s approved specialization, other states by reciprocal agreement, and Association of Christian Schools International.
After satisfying all course and core competency requirements, completing all practicums associated with the program, and passing the required Virginia assessments, you can be eligible for a Virginia teaching license in elementary, middle, secondary, or special education. Your teaching license can be used to teach in public, private, and charter schools in Virginia or in one of the states that have Virginia teacher reciprocity agreements.
Check out the topics below to learn more about how Liberty’s master’s degree in teaching equips you for teacher certification.
Reciprocity
As a requirement for completion of this program, including student teaching and passing required licensure tests, the graduate of this program, regardless of state residency, must obtain a Virginia state teaching license. The Virginia teaching license may then be used for reciprocity in another state according to the regulations of that state.
Practicums and Student Teaching
Practicums allow you to learn alongside P-12 educators as you observe and integrate instructional strategies vital in today’s school system. These field experiences typically total at least 90 hours. Best of all, you can be in a setting that aligns with your program and licensure endorsement area!
Student teaching is the course that defines your final semester as you demonstrate all that you’ve learned during the program. You will be placed in an accredited school, completing hours under the supervision of a licensed Cooperating Teacher.
You will be in the classroom all day, every day for a full semester, reflecting a full-time teacher’s schedule. Your experience will begin with observing and assisting the Cooperating Teacher and then gradually assuming primary responsibility of the classroom.
Your student teaching is a full-time commitment and is often viewed as a four-month interview for potential employment. As such, you should plan to minimize extracurricular activity and/or other work commitments to focus on completing student teaching to your full potential. Prior classroom experience may not be used to fulfill your program’s student teaching requirement.
Content Competencies
The Master of Arts in Teaching is designed to equip you with the skills, methodologies, and practical experiences for becoming an effective teacher. Part of this educational journey is growing and excelling in the content you will be instructing in your own classroom! As part of your elementary, middle, or secondary education training, you will complete courses that provide instruction on the various content areas you will be teaching, whether that be English, mathematics, social studies, or a variety of other subjects.
Upon acceptance, we will evaluate all of your previous accredited coursework to determine if you fulfill any content competency areas through prior education. Based on the results of your evaluation, an Academic Advisor will assist you in creating a plan for fulfilling the remainder of your content competencies, whether that be through undergraduate classes, graduate coursework, or CLEP testing.
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Education.
- View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
- This program requires a background check.
- Students will complete a semester of student teaching.
- This program can help you achieve your initial teaching licensure.
- Our program may make you eligible for certification through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
- Review state-specific approval disclosures.
- Additional program details are available in the Online Graduate Advising Guide.
Why Choose Liberty’s Online Master of Arts in Teaching Program?
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue further studies in your area of specialization at the graduate level while becoming a certified teacher, Liberty University’s online master’s degree in teaching can help give you the necessary skills and knowledge you need to teach with excellence.
At Liberty, you’ll study online under industry-leading professionals with real-world teaching experience who provide personal examples and guidance for new teachers, as well as help for experienced teachers to hone their craft. And, like every graduate program offered by Liberty University’s School of Education, you’ll be learning from professors who teach from a biblical worldview and strive to encourage their students as engaged mentors.
Potential Careers for MAT Graduates
- Elementary teacher
- High school teacher
- Middle school teacher
- Special education teacher
Degree Options for Liberty’s MAT Online
When you think about your teaching career, what type of students do you picture yourself teaching? Your answer to this question is a vital part of deciding what type of licensure-track degree you want. At Liberty, we offer MAT degrees tailored to teaching elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as those who have learning disabilities.
Check out our online MAT program specializations to see which program best suits your future classroom:
Elementary Education
Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education is designed to lead to licensure in grades K-6 by providing you with the foundations required to successfully teach math, natural sciences, language acquisition, and reading skills. In addition to foundational elementary teaching skills, you will also learn the basics of understanding and executing curriculum.
The Elementary endorsement is available as a 36-credit hour program or in a 45-credit hour option, which offers additional flexibility to complete content competencies.
There are several degree options to choose from:
Middle Education
Liberty University’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Middle Education program is designed to prepare you to confidently teach grades 6-8 in public or private schools. Prepare to lead your English, math, science, or social studies classroom by choosing courses that focus on your subject of choice. Each endorsement is available in a 36-credit hour option or a 45-credit hour option – which allows you flexibility to complete missing content competencies. Either way, you can gain the knowledge and skills you need to become an effective and dynamic middle grades educator.
There are several degree options to choose from:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
Secondary Education
Building a meaningful middle or high school teaching career requires more than just a teacher’s license. It requires patience, compassion — and specialization in a particular subject.
Our online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Education can give you just that with subjects available in both 36-credit-hour and 45-credit hour options.
Both formats can give you the knowledge and skills you need, but the 45-credit hour programs include flexibility to complete missing content competencies or take additional elective courses.
There are several degree options to choose from:
- Biology Education (6-12)
- Business Education (6-12)
- Chemistry Education (6-12)
- Computer Science Education (6-12)
- Earth Science (6-12)
- Engineering Education (6-12)
- English as a Second Language Education (P-12)
- English Education (6-12)
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education (6-12)
- Health and Physical Education (P-12)
- Mathematics Education (6-12)
- Music Education – Instrumental (PreK-12)
- Music Education – Vocal/Choral (PreK-12)
- Physics Education (6-12)
- Social Studies Education (6-12)
- Spanish Education (P-12)
- Theatre Arts Education (P-12)
- Visual Arts Education (P-12)
Special Education
Becoming a special education teacher requires more than what you can find in textbooks. It requires learning how to care for and nurture your students emotionally, socially, and spiritually. That’s why Liberty University offers you a variety of options if you are seeking to teach students with special needs. From early childhood to career and technical education transition, you can find options to serve the unique populations.
There are several degree options to choose from:
- Adapted Curriculum with CTE Add-On (36 hrs.)
- Adapted Curriculum and Early Childhood Special Education with CTE Add-On (45 hrs.)
- Early Childhood Special Education (36 hrs.)
- Early Childhood Special Education and General Curriculum (51 hrs.)
- General Curriculum (36 hrs.)
- General Curriculum with CTE Add-On (45 hrs.)
- General Curriculum and Adapted Curriculum with CTE Add-On (51 hrs.)
60-Hour MAT to EdS Degree Options
Designed so that you can graduate with both a master’s degree as well as a postgraduate degree faster than doing the 2 programs independently – and with lower costs! These programs can help you stand head and shoulders above the competition.
There are several degree options to choose from:
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.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
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 |
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Graduate Education Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Liberty’s Online MAT Programs
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 2.5 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.
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.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
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
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
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 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)
*Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is reciprocity?
Reciprocity is when a state board of education sees another state’s licensing requirements as equal or superior to its own.
How do I find placement for my student teaching?
In our Master of Arts in Teaching, we provide you with a team of placement coordinators dedicated to connecting you with a placement setting that fits your unique career path.
Our team has collaborated with schools in all 50 states, as well as many international schools.
What are the benefits of our master’s in teaching online?
If you pursue your initial teaching licensure through our online Master of Arts in Teaching, you can be in a better position to take advantage of the increased market demand for teachers.
While opportunities vary with location and population, students who complete our online teaching degree can complete initial licensure requirements with flexible scheduling.
Here are some additional benefits of our online teaching degree:
- Completing licensure track requirements through our online Master of Arts in Teaching provides marketability for teaching positions — both in private and public school settings.
- Completing Liberty’s MAT degree both enables students with limited previous teaching experience to enter the teaching profession and allows students with previous experience to pursue higher paid and/or administrative roles.
- 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).
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 our online MAT programs more affordable. 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.
Are there ways to specialize my degree?
You can customize your Master of Arts in Teaching online through your endorsement area, which will provide you with more focused training in a particular area of the education field. And with so many specializations available, there are numerous subjects and grade levels to choose from. As a Liberty student, you will have the opportunity to learn from professors who are passionate about teaching from a biblical worldview — and who look forward to encouraging and mentoring their students.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Degree Options
- State Requirements
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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