Teaching (M.A.T.) - Elementary Education (45 hrs.) - Special Education General Curriculum

Teaching (M.A.T.) - Elementary Education (45 hrs.) - Special Education General Curriculum

Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2025 through summer 2026. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.

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 VA state teaching license. The VA teaching license may then be used for reciprocity in another state according to the regulations of that state. 

Program Courses
Initial Education Core Courses
EDLC 504Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning3
EDLC 510Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners3
EDLC 606Tests and Measurements3
EDLC 623Principles of Behavior Management3
Special Education Courses
EDSP 521Foundations of Exceptionality3
EDSP 524Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms3
EDSP 525Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 1,23
Professional Courses
EDLC 571Curriculum Fundamentals3
EDLC 632Literacy and Language Instruction3
Gate & Field Experience Courses
EDSP 545Practicum in Special Education for Add-On Endorsement – Elementary 1,20
EDGT 520School of Education Gate 1 – MAT Initial Licensure0
EDGT 560School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure0
EDGT 580School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure0
EDLC 588Initial Licensure Practicum I 1,30
EDLC 688Initial Licensure Practicum II 1,40
Student Teaching
EDST 586The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar-Elementary3
Choose one of the following: 3
EDST 560
Student Teaching - One Placement – Distance 1,5
EDST 561
Student Teaching - One Placement - Local 1,5
EDST 562
Student Teaching - Two Placement – Distance 1,5
EDST 563
Student Teaching - Two Placement - Local 1,5
EDST 564
Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Distance 1,5
EDST 565
Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Local 1,5
EDST 566
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Distance 1,5
EDST 567
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Local 1,5
EDST 568
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement - Two placement - Distance 1,5
EDST 569
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement – Local 1,5
Total Hours33
1

Background check clearance required (EDLC 530, EDLC 554, EDLC 588, EDLC 688, EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569; EDSP 525, EDSP 545).

2

EDSP 525 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 545 

3

EDLC 554 must be taken in the same semester as EDLC 588

4

EDLC 530 must be taken in the same semester as EDLC 688

5

Candidates will be assigned one of the following: EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562 or EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during Gate 3 Application.

Elementary Education Cognate
EDLC 530Teaching Mathematics 1,23
EDLC 554Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction 2,33
EDLC 634Teaching Science in the Elementary School3
EDLC 636Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School3
Total Hours12
1

Background check clearance required (EDLC 530, EDLC 554, EDLC 588, EDLC 688, EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569; EDSP 525, EDSP 545)

2

EDSP 525 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 545.

Notes

All applicable prerequisites must be met

All practicum courses should be completed before student teaching, and candidates should not plan to take practicum courses in summer terms.

Competencies must be met prior to student teaching. Refer to the Elementary Content Competency Chart.

All practicum courses should be completed before student teaching, and students should not complete practicum courses during the summer semester.

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete 45 hours
  • A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
  • 3.0 GPA
  • No more than two grades of C may be applied to the degree (includes grades of C+ & C-)
  • No grade of D or below may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
  • Degree must be completed within 5 years
  • Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student's anticipated graduation date

Program Offered in Online Format

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterHours
EDGT 520 School of Education Gate 1 – MAT Initial Licensure 0
EDLC 504 Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning 3
EDGT 560 School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure 0
EDLC 510 Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners 3
EDLC 623 Principles of Behavior Management 3
 Hours9
Second Semester
EDLC 588 Initial Licensure Practicum I 1,2 0
EDLC 554 Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction 1,2 3
EDLC 606 Tests and Measurements 3
EDLC 632 Literacy and Language Instruction 3
 Hours9
Second Year
Third Semester
EDSP 521 Foundations of Exceptionality 3
EDLC 634 Teaching Science in the Elementary School 3
EDLC 636 Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School 3
 Hours9
Fourth Semester
EDLC 688 Initial Licensure Practicum II 1,2 0
EDLC 530 Teaching Mathematics 1,2 3
EDLC 571 Curriculum Fundamentals 3
 Hours6
Third Year
Fifth Semester
EDSP 545 Practicum in Special Education for Add-On Endorsement – Elementary 1,2 0
EDGT 580 School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure 1,2,3 0
EDSP 525 Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 1,2 3
EDSP 524 Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms 3
 Hours6
Sixth Semester
EDST 586 The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar-Elementary 1,2 3
Student Teaching Elective 1,2,4 3
 Hours6
 Total Hours45
1

Course should not be taken in the summer semester

2

Background check clearance required

3

Course should be taken the semester before student teaching 

4

Candidates will be assigned one of the following: EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562 or EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during Gate 3 Application.

Oval 1AudioBackArrowCloseShapeFill 1ArrowShapeArrowMenuMagnifying GlassShapeVideoWordmark WTC simple light Created with Sketch.