Teaching in Special Education (M.A.T.) - Adapted Curriculum & Early Childhood Special Education with CTE-Transition & Special Needs (Add-On Endorsement)
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2023 through summer 2024. 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 in required endorsement area), 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 Adapted Curriculum (K-12), CTE-Transition & Special Needs, and Early Childhood Special Education (0-5 years).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| EDSP 521 | Foundations of Exceptionality | 3 |
| EDSP 522 | Special Education and Disability Law | 3 |
| EDSP 622 | Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education | 3 |
| EDLC 504 | Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning | 3 |
| EDLC 623 | Principles of Behavior Management | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Adapted Curriculum & Early Childhood Special Education Concentration | ||
| EDSP 519 | Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 525 | Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 1 | 3 |
| EDSP 529 | Employment, Community, and Independent Living | 3 |
| EDSP 534 | Individualized Programming and Curriculum 2 | 3 |
| EDLC 651 | Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations | 3 |
| Early Childhood Courses | ||
| EDEC 670 | Curriculum and Methods for Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDLC 554 | Reading and Language Acquisition | 3 |
| Multiple Endorsement Courses | ||
| EDGT 585 | School of Education Gate 3 – Multiple Endorsements 3,4,5 | 0 |
| Candidates will be assigned one of the following: | 3 | |
| Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Distance 4,6 | ||
| Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Local 4,6 | ||
| Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement - Distance 4,6 | ||
| Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement – Local 4,6 | ||
| Total Hours | 24 | |
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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.
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Background check clearance required (EDGT 585, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, and EDST 569).
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Candidates will be assigned either EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, or EDST 569) Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580/EDGT 585.
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Candidates will be assigned either EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, or EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580/EDGT 585.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Gate & Field Experience Courses | ||
| EDGT 520 | School of Education Gate 1 – MAT Initial Licensure | 0 |
| EDGT 560 | School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure | 0 |
| EDGT 580 | School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure 1,2 | 0 |
| EDSP 588 | Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I 3,4 | 0 |
| EDSP 688 | Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II 4,5 | 0 |
| Total Hours | 0 | |
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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.
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Candidates will be assigned either EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, or EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580/EDGT 585.
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Background check clearance required (EDGT 585, EDSP 588, EDSP 588, EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, and EDST 569).
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| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Student Teaching Courses | ||
| EDST 587 | The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Student Teaching - One Placement – Distance 1,2 | ||
| Student Teaching - One Placement - Local 1,2,3 | ||
| Student Teaching - Two Placement – Distance 1,2 | ||
| Student Teaching - Two Placement - Local 1,2,3 | ||
| Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Distance 1,2 | ||
| Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Local 1,2 | ||
| Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Distance 1,2 | ||
| Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Local 1,2 | ||
| Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement - Distance 1,2 | ||
| Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement – Local 1,2 | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
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Background check clearance required (EDGT 585, 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).
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Candidates will be assigned either EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562, or EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, or EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580/EDGT 585.
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International candidates seeking a “student visa” to study in residence in the U.S. may use EDST 561 or EDST 563 to count as part of their residency requirement.
Notes:
- Competencies must be met prior to student teaching. Please refer to the Elementary/Middle Content Competency Chart
- All practicum courses should be completed before student teaching and students should not complete practicum 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