Teaching in Special Education (M.A.T.) - Adapted Curriculum: Career & Technical Education - Transition & Special Needs (add-on endorsement)

Teaching in Special Education (M.A.T.) - Adapted Curriculum: Career & Technical Education - Transition & Special Needs (add-on endorsement)

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.

As a requirement for completion of this program, including student teaching and passing required licensure tests, the graduate of this program, regardless of state residency, must obtain a VA state teaching license. The VA teaching license may then be used for reciprocity in another state according to the regulations of that state.

Program 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
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 1,20
EDSP 588Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I 3,40
EDSP 688Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education II 3,50
Student Teaching Courses
EDST 587The Reflective Practitioner: Resource Seminar – Special Education 33
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 Hours21
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 (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

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

Special Education Adapted Curriculum Cognate
EDLC 651Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations3
EDSP 519Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities3
EDSP 525Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 13
EDSP 529Employment, Community, and Independent Living3
EDSP 534Individualized Programming and Curriculum 23
Total Hours15
1

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

2

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 SemesterHours
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
 Hours6
Second Semester
EDSP 519 Characteristics and Medical Aspects of Severe Disabilities 3
EDSP 622 Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education 3
EDLC 651 Language and Literacy for Diverse Populations 3
 Hours9
Second Year
First Semester
EDSP 588 Initial Licensure Practicum in Special Education I 1,2 0
EDLC 623 Principles of Behavior Management 3
EDSP 534 Individualized Programming and Curriculum 1,2 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
EDSP 525 Transition and Assessment for Exceptional Learners 1,2 3
EDSP 529 Employment, Community, and Independent Living 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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