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.  

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Program 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
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 3,5	0
Student Teaching Courses
EDST 587	The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 3	3
Candidates will be assigned one of the following:		3
EDST 560	Student Teaching - One Placement – Distance 2,3
EDST 561	Student Teaching - One Placement - Local 2,3
EDST 562	Student Teaching - Two Placement – Distance 2,3
EDST 563	Student Teaching - Two Placement - Local 2,3
EDST 564	Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Distance 2,3
EDST 565	Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Local 2,3
EDST 566	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Distance 2,3
EDST 567	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Local 2,3
EDST 568	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement - Two placement - Distance 2,3
EDST 569	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement – Local 2,3
Total Hours		21

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, EDST 568, or EDST 569.  Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580.

³

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

⁴

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

⁵

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

Course List

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

¹

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

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.

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 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

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
First Semester		Hours
EDLC 504	Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning	3
EDGT 520	School of Education Gate 1 – MAT Initial Licensure	0
EDGT 560	School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure	0
EDSP 521	Foundations of Exceptionality	3
	Hours	6
Second Semester
EDLC 554	Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction 1	3
EDSP 519	Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities	3
EDSP 522	Special Education and Disability Law	3
	Hours	9
Third Semester
EDLC 623	Principles of Behavior Management	3
EDSP 534	Individualized Programming and Curriculum	3
EDSP 588	Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I 1,2	0
EDSP 622	Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education	3
	Hours	9
Second Year
Fourth Semester
EDEC 670	Curriculum and Methods for Early Childhood Education	3
EDGT 580	School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure 3	0
EDLC 651	Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations	3
EDSP 688	Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II 1,2	0
	Hours	6
Fifth Semester
EDST 587	The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 1	3
Student Teaching Elective 1,3		3
	Hours	6
	Total Hours	36

¹

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

²

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

³

Candidates will be assigned one of the following: 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.