Teaching in Special Education (M.A.T.) - Early Childhood Special Education
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2021 through summer 2022. 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
| 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 |
| EDUC 504 | Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 623 | Principles of Behavior Management | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Special Education Cognate | ||
| EDSP 519 | Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities | 3 |
| EDSP 534 | Individualized Programming and Curriculum 1,2 | 3 |
| EDUC 554 | Reading and Language Acquisition | 3 |
| EDUC 651 | Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations 2,3 | 3 |
| EDUC 670 | Curriculum and Methods for Early Childhood | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| 1 | EDSP 534 Individualized Programming and Curriculum (3 c.h.) must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 588 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I (0 c.h.) |
| 2 | Background check clearance required (EDUC 651 Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations (3 c.h.), EDSP 534 Individualized Programming and Curriculum (3 c.h.), EDSP 588 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I (0 c.h.), EDSP 688 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II (0 c.h.), EDST 587 The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education (3 c.h.), EDST 590 Student Teaching Local (3 c.h.), EDST 591 Student Teaching Local – Own Classroom (3 c.h.), EDST 592 Student Teaching External (3 c.h.), and EDST 593 Student Teaching External – Own Classroom (3 c.h.)) |
| 3 | EDUC 651 Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations (3 c.h.) must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 688 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II (0 c.h.) |
| 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 3,4 | 0 |
| Total Hours | 0 | |
| 1 | Candidates will be assigned either EDST 590 Student Teaching Local (3 c.h.), EDST 591 Student Teaching Local – Own Classroom (3 c.h.), EDST 592 Student Teaching External (3 c.h.), or EDST 593 Student Teaching External – Own Classroom (3 c.h.). Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580 School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure (0 c.h.). |
| 2 | EDSP 534 Individualized Programming and Curriculum (3 c.h.) must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 588 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I (0 c.h.) |
| 3 | Background check clearance required (EDUC 651 Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations (3 c.h.), EDSP 534 Individualized Programming and Curriculum (3 c.h.), EDSP 588 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I (0 c.h.), EDSP 688 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II (0 c.h.), EDST 587 The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education (3 c.h.), EDST 590 Student Teaching Local (3 c.h.), EDST 591 Student Teaching Local – Own Classroom (3 c.h.), EDST 592 Student Teaching External (3 c.h.), and EDST 593 Student Teaching External – Own Classroom (3 c.h.)) |
| 4 | EDUC 651 Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations (3 c.h.) must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 688 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II (0 c.h.) |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Student Teaching Courses | ||
| EDST 587 | The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 1 | 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 | |
| 1 | Background check clearance required (EDUC 651 Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations (3 c.h.), EDSP 534 Individualized Programming and Curriculum (3 c.h.), EDSP 588 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I (0 c.h.), EDSP 688 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II (0 c.h.), EDST 587 The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education (3 c.h.), EDST 590 Student Teaching Local (3 c.h.), EDST 591 Student Teaching Local – Own Classroom (3 c.h.), EDST 592 Student Teaching External (3 c.h.), and EDST 593 Student Teaching External – Own Classroom (3 c.h.)) |
| 2 | International candidates seeking a “student visa” to study in residence in the U.S. may use EDST 590 Student Teaching Local (3 c.h.), EDST 591 Student Teaching Local – Own Classroom (3 c.h.), EDST 592 Student Teaching External (3 c.h.), or EDST 593 Student Teaching External – Own Classroom (3 c.h.) to count as part of their residency requirement. |
| 3 | Candidates will be assigned either EDST 590 Student Teaching Local (3 c.h.), EDST 591 Student Teaching Local – Own Classroom (3 c.h.), EDST 592 Student Teaching External (3 c.h.), or EDST 593 Student Teaching External – Own Classroom (3 c.h.). Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580 School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure (0 c.h.). |
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 36 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