Teaching in Special Education (M.A.T.) - Early Childhood Special Education & General Curriculum
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2022 through summer 2023. 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 each 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 General Curriculum (K-12) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Special Education & General Curriculum Concentration | ||
| EDEC 670 | Curriculum and Methods for Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDSP 519 | Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 534 | Individualized Programming and Curriculum 1 | 3 |
| EDLC 554 | Reading and Language Acquisition 2 | 3 |
| EDLC 651 | Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations | 3 |
| Special Education General Curriculum Courses | ||
| EDSP 524 | Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| EDSP 525 | Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 3 | 3 |
| EDLC 530 | Teaching Mathematics | 3 |
| EDLC 571 | Curriculum Fundamentals | 3 |
| Multiple Endorsement Courses | ||
| EDGT 585 | School of Education Gate 3 – Multiple Endorsements 4,5 | 0 |
| EDLC 588 | Initial Licensure Practicum I 2,3 | 0 |
| EDST 599 | Student Teaching: Multiple Endorsements | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
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Background check clearance required (EDGT 585, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 590, EDST 591, EDST 592, EDST 593, and EDLC 588 ).
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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.
| 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 | 0 |
| EDSP 588 | Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I 2,3 | 0 |
| EDSP 688 | Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II 2,3 | 0 |
| Total Hours | 0 | |
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Candidates should enroll in the Gate 3 course the semester prior to desired student teaching semester prior to desired student teaching semester. If 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 3course 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 590, EDST 591, EDST 592, EDST 593, and EDLC 588 ).
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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 Local 1,2,3 | ||
| Student Teaching Local – Own Classroom 1,2,3 | ||
| Student Teaching External 1,2,3 | ||
| Student Teaching External – Own Classroom 1,2,3 | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
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Background check clearance required (EDGT 585, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 590, EDST 591,EDST 592, EDST 593, and EDLC 588)
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Candidates will be assigned either EDST 590, EDST 591, EDST 592, or EDST 593. 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 590, EDST 591, EDST 592, or EDST 593 to count as part of their residency requirement.
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 51 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