Teaching in Special Education (M.A.T.) - Early Childhood Special Education

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

Core Courses
EDLC 504Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning3
EDLC 623Principles of Behavior Management3
EDSP 521Foundations of Exceptionality3
EDSP 522Special Education and Disability Law3
EDSP 622Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education3
Total Hours15
Early Childhood Special Education Cognate
EDEC 670Curriculum and Methods for Early Childhood Education3
EDLC 554Reading and Language Acquisition3
EDLC 651Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations 1,23
EDSP 519Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities3
EDSP 534Individualized Programming and Curriculum 1,33
Total Hours15
1

Background check clearance required (EDLC 651, EDSP 534, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 587, EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, and EDST 569)

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

Gate & Field Experience Courses
EDGT 520School of Education Gate 1 – MAT Initial Licensure0
EDGT 560School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure0
EDGT 580School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure 10
EDSP 588Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I 2,30
EDSP 688Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II 3,40
Total Hours0
1

Candidates will be assigned either EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, or EDST 569.  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 560, EDST 561, EDST 562EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, and EDST 569)

4

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

Student Teaching Courses
EDST 587The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 13
Candidates will be assigned one of the following:3
Student Teaching - One Placement – Distance 1,3
Student Teaching - One Placement - Local 1,2,3
Student Teaching - Two Placement – Distance 1,3
Student Teaching - Two Placement - Local 1,2,3
Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Distance 1,3
Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Local 1,3
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Distance 1,3
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Local 1,2,3
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement - Distance 1,3
Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement – Local 1,2,3
Total Hours6
1

Background check clearance required (EDLC 651, EDSP 534, EDSP 588, EDSP 688, EDST 587, EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, EDST 569)

2

International candidates seeking a “student visa” to study in residence in the U.S. may use EDST 561 and EDST 563 to count as part of their residency requirement.

3

Candidates will be assigned either EDST 560, EDST 561, EDST 562EDST 563, EDST 564, EDST 565, EDST 566, EDST 567, EDST 568, or EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580.

Note:

  •  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 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 SemesterHours
EDGT 520 School of Education Gate 1 – MAT Initial Licensure 0
EDLC 504 Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning 3
EDGT 560 School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure 0
EDSP 521 Foundations of Exceptionality 3
 Hours6
Second Semester
EDSP 519 Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities 3
EDSP 622 Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education 3
EDLC 554 Reading and Language Acquisition 3
 Hours9
Second Year
First Semester
EDSP 588 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I 1,2 0
EDSP 534 Individualized Programming and Curriculum 1,2 3
EDLC 623 Principles of Behavior Management 3
EDSP 522 Special Education and Disability Law 3
 Hours9
Second Semester
EDSP 688 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II 1,2 0
EDGT 580 School of Education Gate 3 – MAT Initial Licensure 1,3 0
EDLC 651 Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations 1,2 3
EDEC 670 Curriculum and Methods for Early Childhood Education 3
 Hours6
Third Year
First Semester
Student Teaching Elective 1,2 3
EDST 587 The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 1,2 3
 Hours6
 Total Hours36
1

Should not be taken during the summer semester

2

Background check clearance required

3

Should be taken the semester before student teaching

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