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 with endorsements in Special Education General Curriculum and Career and Technical Education – Transition and Special Needs (Add-On).

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
EDLC 588	Initial Licensure Practicum I 3,4	0
EDSP 688	Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II 4,5	0
Student Teaching Courses
EDST 587	The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 4	3
Candidates will be assigned one of the following:		3
EDST 560	Student Teaching - One Placement – Distance 2,4
EDST 561	Student Teaching - One Placement - Local 2,4
EDST 562	Student Teaching - Two Placement – Distance 2,4
EDST 563	Student Teaching - Two Placement - Local 2,4
EDST 564	Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Distance 2,4
EDST 565	Student Teaching – Own Classroom – Local 2,4
EDST 566	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Distance 2,4
EDST 567	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – One placement - Local 2,4
EDST 568	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement - Two placement - Distance 2,4
EDST 569	Student Teaching - Multiple Endorsement – Two placement – Local 2,4
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, or EDST 569. Course and section number will be designated during EDGT 580. 

³

EDLC 554 should be taken in the same semester as EDLC 588.

⁴

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

⁵

EDSP 525 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 688.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Curriculum Concentration
EDLC 530	Teaching Mathematics	3
EDLC 554	Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction 1,2	3
EDLC 571	Curriculum Fundamentals	3
EDSP 524	Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms	3
EDSP 525	Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 3	3
EDSP 529	Employment, Community, and Independent Living	3
Education or Special Education Elective 4		3
Education or Special Education Elective 4		3
Total Hours		24

¹

EDLC 554 must be taken in the same semester as EDLC 588.

²

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

³

EDSP 525 must be taken in the same semester as EDSP 688.

⁴

Choose a 500-600 level EDUC or EDSP course not already applying to the degree.

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 45 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
EDGT 520	School of Education Gate 1 – MAT Initial Licensure	0
EDLC 504	Educational Philosophy and Theories of Learning	3
EDSP 521	Foundations of Exceptionality	3
EDGT 560	School of Education Gate 2 – MAT Initial Licensure	0
	Hours	6
Second Semester
EDSP 622	Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education	3
EDUC or EDSP Elective		3
EDSP 524	Collaborating for Successful Inclusive Classrooms	3
	Hours	9
Second Year
First Semester
EDLC 588	Initial Licensure Practicum I 1,2	0
EDLC 623	Principles of Behavior Management	3
EDLC 554	Foundations in Early Literacy Instruction 1,2	3
EDSP 522	Special Education and Disability Law	3
	Hours	9
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 530	Teaching Mathematics	3
EDSP 525	Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 1,2	3
	Hours	6
Third Year
First Semester
EDLC 571	Curriculum Fundamentals	3
EDSP 529	Employment, Community, and Independent Living	3
EDUC or EDSP Elective		3
	Hours	9
Second Semester
EDST Student Teaching Elective 1,2		3
EDST 587	The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 1,2	3
	Hours	6
	Total Hours	45

¹

Should not be taken during the summer semester

²

Background check clearance required 

³

Should be taken the semester before student teaching