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), content competencies (if applicable), and the passing of licensure tests, the graduate of this program would be eligible for a VA state teaching license 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Core Courses
EDLC 504	Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning	3
EDLC 623	Principles of Behavior Management	3
EDSP 521	Foundations of Exceptionality	3
EDSP 522	Special Education and Disability Law	3
EDSP 622	Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education	3
Total Hours		15

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Early Childhood Special Education Cognate
EDEC 670	Curriculum and Methods for Early Childhood Education	3
EDLC 554	Reading and Language Acquisition	3
EDLC 651	Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations 1,2	3
EDSP 519	Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities	3
EDSP 534	Individualized Programming and Curriculum 1,3	3
Total Hours		15

¹

Background check clearance required (EDLC 651, EDSP 534, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 587, EDST 590, EDST 591, EDST 592, and EDST 593)

²

EDLC 651 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 688

³

EDSP 534 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 588

Course List

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, EDST 591, EDST 592, or EDST 593. Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580.

²

EDSP 534 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 588

³

Background check clearance required (EDLC 651, EDSP 534, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 587, EDST 590, EDST 591, EDST 592, and EDST 593)

⁴

EDLC 651 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 688

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Student Teaching Courses
EDST 587	The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 1	3
Choose one of the following:		3
EDST 590	Student Teaching Local 1,2,3
EDST 591	Student Teaching Local – Own Classroom 1,2,3
EDST 592	Student Teaching External 1,2,3
EDST 593	Student Teaching External – Own Classroom 1,2,3
Total Hours		6

¹

Background check clearance required (EDLC 651, EDSP 534, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 587, EDST 590, EDST 591, EDST 592, and EDST 593)

²

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.

³

Candidates will be assigned either EDST 590, EDST 591, EDST 592, or EDST 593. Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580.

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

Program Offered in Online Format