MAT in SPED – Adapted Curriculum & Early Childhood with CTE-Transition Teach With Heart and Unlock Potential

45

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online,* 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Do you have a passion for special education? Perhaps you’ve previously earned a non-licensure undergraduate degree in education, or maybe your bachelor’s degree covered a field that wasn’t education-focused. Either way, Liberty’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education – Adapted Curriculum and Early Childhood Special Education with a Career and Technical Education (CTE)-Transition and Special Needs add-on endorsement may be right for you. This early childhood special education degree is designed to prepare you to work with children who have mild and pronounced learning disabilities.

As an educator, it’s likely that you’ll meet students from different walks of life and teach pupils who have a variety of special needs. At Liberty, we affirm that every child has tremendous worth and value – and we believe that it takes a compassionate, driven, and prepared individual to serve children with learning disabilities. We also know that, at times, it can be challenging to piece together a degree program that makes you a versatile and well-rounded teacher. That’s where we can assist.

This degree program is designed to help you earn a teaching license with dual endorsements and an add-on endorsement – allowing you to become a valuable contributor in almost any education setting. Better yet, you’ll be able to pursue this degree from the comfort of home and complete your practicums and student teaching in your community – so you won’t have to relocate to further your education.

Upon successful completion of Liberty University’s Virginia state-approved Master of Arts in Teaching program, you may apply for your teaching license in another state through reciprocity, which may or may not result in additional requirements based on your state’s Department of Education regulations.

*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

As a pioneer in distance education since 1985, Liberty understands what it takes to design a flexible, affordable online master’s in teaching that pairs convenience with academic excellence. We don’t shortchange you when you pursue an online special education degree with us – we empower you by putting the academic credibility of a brick-and-mortar campus at your fingertips, no matter where you are located.

One major benefit to this MAT in Special Education is its versatility. When you’re an aspiring educator trying to position yourself for future success, it can be difficult to figure out which endorsements and coursework you need – especially when you’re trying to tailor your education to meet licensure requirements. At Liberty, we recognize this, which is why this degree program conveniently packages licensure requirements for adapted curriculum with a career and technical education add-on endorsement – meaning you can use this degree to serve students with special needs who have varying goals.

If you’re looking for a special education master’s degree that pairs K-12 licensure requirements in special education with specialized training in early childhood education and CTE for students with special needs, look no further than our online MAT in Special Education – Adapted Curriculum and Early Childhood Special Education with a CTE-Transition and Special Needs add-on endorsement.


This degree program consists of 3 main sections: core courses, adapted curriculum and early childhood special education courses, and field experience courses.

In the core courses, you will study foundations of exceptionality, special education and disability law, and assessment and evaluation in special education. You will also study educational philosophy, theories of learning, and principles of behavior management.

In the adapted curriculum and early childhood section of your degree, you will study the characteristics and medical aspects of severe disabilities. In addition, you will explore transition and assessment for exceptional learners, employment and independent living, and individualized programming and curriculum. You will also study language and literacy for diverse learners.

From there, you will dive into early childhood studies – focusing on curriculum and methods as well as foundations in early literacy instruction. The knowledge offered by the early childhood section of this degree can help you become a well-rounded educator who has a working knowledge of how to teach and mentor young children who have special needs.

Additionally, you will complete a resource seminar for special education as well as an additional student teaching course. Because this is an online degree, we don’t ask you to commute to Central Virginia for your student teaching. At Liberty, you can complete your practicums and 2 student teaching courses at an approved location near you.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)


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.