Teaching in Special Education (M.A.T.) - General Curriculum (45 hr.) with Career and Technical Education - Transition & Special Needs (Add-On Endorsement)

Teaching in Special Education (M.A.T.) - General Curriculum (45 hr.) with Career and Technical Education - Transition & Special Needs (Add-On Endorsement)

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.

After completion of the required program coursework (including student teaching), content competencies (if applicable), and the passing of licensure tests, the graduate of this program would be eligible for a VA state teaching license with endorsements in Special Education General Curriculum and Career and Technical Education – Transition and Special Needs (Add-On).

Program Courses
EDLC 504Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning3
EDLC 623Principles of Behavior Management3
EDSP 521Foundations of Exceptionality3
EDSP 522Special Education and Disability Law3
EDSP 622Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education3
Gate & Field Experience Courses
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 Licensure 1,20
EDLC 588Initial Licensure Practicum I 3,40
EDSP 688Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II 4,50
Student Teaching Courses
EDST 587The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 43
Candidates will be assigned one of the following:3
EDST 560
Student Teaching - One Placement – Distance 2,4
EDST 561
Student Teaching - One Placement - Local 2,4
EDST 562
Student Teaching - Two Placement – Distance 2,4
EDST 563
Student Teaching - Two Placement - Local 2,4
EDST 564
Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Distance 2,4
EDST 565
Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Local 2,4
EDST 566
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Distance 2,4
EDST 567
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Local 2,4
EDST 568
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement - Two placement - Distance 2,4
EDST 569
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement – Local 2,4
Total Hours21
1

Candidates should enroll in the Gate 3 course the semester prior to desired student teaching semester. If a Fall student teaching semester is desired, candidates should enroll in the Gate 3 course during the prior Spring semester. If a Spring student teaching semester is desired, candidates should enroll in the Gate 3 course during the previous Fall semester. These courses are not offered in Summer terms.

2

Candidates will be assigned one of the following: EDST 560, EDST 561,EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, or EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580. 

3

EDLC 554 should be taken in the same semester as EDLC 588.

4

Background check clearance required (EDLC 554, EDLC 588, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569, and EDST 587).

5

EDSP 525 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 688.

General Curriculum Concentration
EDLC 530Teaching Mathematics3
EDLC 554Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction 1,23
EDLC 571Curriculum Fundamentals3
EDSP 524Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms3
EDSP 525Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 33
EDSP 529Employment, Community, and Independent Living3
Education or Special Education Elective 43
Education or Special Education Elective 43
Total Hours24
1

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

2

Background check clearance required (EDLC 554, EDLC 588 EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569, and EDST 587).

3

EDSP 525 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 688.

4

Choose a 500-600 level EDUC or EDSP course not already applying to the degree.

Note:

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

All applicable prerequisites must be met

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
EDGT 560 School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure 0
EDLC 504 Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning 3
EDSP 521 Foundations of Exceptionality 3
 Hours6
Second Semester
EDSP 522 Special Education and Disability Law 3
EDSP 524 Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms 3
EDUC or EDSP Elective 1 3
 Hours9
Third Semester
EDLC 554 Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction 2 3
EDLC 588 Initial Licensure Practicum I 2,3 0
EDLC 623 Principles of Behavior Management 3
EDSP 622 Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education 3
 Hours9
Second Year
Fourth Semester
EDGT 580 School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure 4 0
EDLC 530 Teaching Mathematics 3
EDSP 525 Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 3
EDSP 688 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II 2,3 0
 Hours6
Fifth Semester
EDLC 571 Curriculum Fundamentals 3
EDSP 529 Employment, Community, and Independent Living 3
EDUC or EDSP Elective 1 3
 Hours9
Sixth Semester
EDST 587 The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 2 3
Student Teaching Elective 2,4 3
 Hours6
 Total Hours45
1

Choose a 500-600 level EDUC or EDSP course not already applying to the degree.

2

Background check clearance required (EDLC 554, EDLC 588, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569, and EDST 587).

3

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

4

Candidates will be assigned one of the following: EDST 560, EDST 561,EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, or EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580. 

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