Program Overview
Learn More About Our Online Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education K-12 Program
Meet the growing need for special education teachers with our accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education K-12 online degree and licensure program. This program helps prepare you to start teaching after just your first semester—as few as 14 weeks—while you complete your master’s degree online.
$11,916
Total Tuition
As few as 12-16 months
Program Duration
36
Credit Hours
$11,916
Total Tuition
As few as 12-16 months
Program Duration
36
Credit Hours
Arkansas State University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone: 202-223-0077.
Courses for this program provide you with a comprehensive foundation of methods for assessing and teaching students on a broad spectrum of exceptional needs. After you pass your first six credit hours of coursework and necessary Praxis exams, you can earn a provisional teaching license in the state of Arkansas.
In this online special education program, you will:
- Develop foundational knowledge needed to apply professional ethical principles and practice standards
- Understand how exceptionalities may interact with developmental and learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities
- Learn how to create safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments
- Learn how to use multiple methods of assessment and data sources to inform instructional decisions
- Select, adapt and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning of individuals with exceptionalities
- Study culturally responsive ways to collaborate and address the needs of individuals with exceptionalities across a range of learning experiences
The MAT SPED program is not available for students planning to teach in California or Georgia.
As licensure requirements may change without notice, it is the responsibility of the student to confirm the requirements for licensure in his/her state as it applies to the participation in an out-of-state degree program.
Also available:
Tuition
Pay for Your Online Program by the Course
The MAT – Special Education online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition.
| Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
| $291.00 | $40.00 | $331.00 | $873.00 | $120.00 | $993.00 |
Calendar
Important Dates for Our Students
A-State’s Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education degree is designed to be flexible for working students. This program features accelerated coursework and multiple start dates—making it ideal for busy schedules.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:
| Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2023 | 5 wk | 05/30/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 05/15/2023 | 05/19/2023 | 05/25/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 06/19/2023 |
| 5 wk | 07/03/2023 | 08/04/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 06/29/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 07/21/2023 | |
| Fall 2023 | 7 wk | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 08/07/2023 | 08/11/2023 | 08/17/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 09/22/2023 |
| 7 wk | 10/16/2023 | 12/08/2023 | 10/02/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 10/12/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 11/17/2023 | |
| Spring 2024 | 7 wk | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 12/15/2023 | 12/19/2023 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 02/09/2024 |
| 7 wk | 03/04/2024 | 04/26/2024 | 02/19/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/01/2024 | 04/05/2024 | |
| Summer 2024 | 5 wk | 05/28/2024 | 06/27/2024 | 05/14/2024 | 05/17/2024 | 05/23/2024 | 05/24/2024 | 06/14/2024 |
| 5 wk | 07/02/2024 | 08/01/2024 | 06/18/2024 | 06/21/2024 | 06/27/2024 | 06/28/2024 | 07/26/2024 |
Admissions
Requirements for the Special Education K-12 Program
A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Teaching certification is NOT required to be admitted into the Master of Teaching – Special Education K-12 online program. Students interested in this program must meet the following requirements for admission.
- Complete online application and submit a non-refundable $30 fee
- Official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
- Have a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.75 on a 4.00 scale from an accredited institution, or a 3.0 GPA on last 60 hours of coursework
- A written commitment from an educator who will function as your mentor during the degree program. Applicants should review the qualifications and responsibilities with their chosen mentor prior to having the mentor complete the Mentor Form
- Read and submit the Professional Dispositions Signature Document
- Unless otherwise noted, Arkansas State University has not confirmed if a program has met requirements for an out-of-state licensure and it is up to the Student to confirm if the program will meet the needs for licensure. Please refer to the Program Approval Map to determine which programs are eligible to be offered in States and to find relevant State Agency contact information. Eligibility to offer in a State does not guarantee the program will meet State licensure requirements.
Additional Information
While not required for admissions, Teacher/Leader Effectiveness Credentials will be required prior to registering for your first course.
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
What You'll Learn in Your Online M.A. in Teaching Courses
Students in the MAT – Special Education online program must complete 36 credit hours of coursework, including 10 online courses (30 credit hours) and a special education internship (six credit hours). Students who have completed the first six credit hours of ELSE courses are eligible to take Praxis 5511 and Praxis 5354 for provisional licensure in the state of Arkansas.
Students in this program must complete the following courses (36 credit hours).
ELSE 5003: SPED Academy: Foundations of Teaching Students with Exceptional Needs
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An overview of special education that includes the historical foundation of special education, litigation and legislation, characteristics of students with exceptionalities, assessment, the IEP process, and collaboration with families and professionals in the field of education.
ELSE 5043: Assessment and Instruction for Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of the principles and practices for assessment and identification of individuals with disabilities. Administration of formal and informal assessment instruments, and interpretation and reporting of assessment data is emphasized.
ELSE 5633: Literacy Assessment and Diagnosis of Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Developing comprehensive understanding of diagnostic and corrective needs of individuals with reading disabilities in special education classrooms.
ELSE 6083: Culturally Responsive Teaching
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Addressing cultural, linguistic and educational needs of learners with exceptionalities in schools through culturally responsive teaching, with emphasis placed on developing positive partnerships between schools, students and their families and communities.
ELSE 6023: Characteristics of Individuals with Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Advanced in-depth study designed to develop knowledge of the characteristics and issues related to individuals with disabilities.
ELSE 6053: Advanced Methods of Teaching Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of models for the planning and delivering of instruction to students with disabilities who require an individualized general curriculum Includes techniques and materials for teaching reading, math and writing.
ELSE 5653: Literacy and Language Development for Exceptional Learners
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Relationship of language acquisition and literacy development for exceptional learners, focusing on the identification, analysis, and correction of literacy development in print knowledge, oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
ELSE 6163: Positive Behavior Interventions and Support
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This provides a basis of understanding and addressing behavior challenges of diverse learners. In this course a range of issues, concepts and practices centering on Positive Behavior Interventions and support (PBIS) in school, communities, and other social settings.
ELSE 6073: Advanced Teaching Method of Significantly Disabled
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Advanced Methods of Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities Evidenced-based research is presented with regard to all educational programs for students with severe, intellectual disabilities and autism, including strategies educators use in concert with team members to plan, teach, and monitor students’ progress.
ELSE 6183: Teaching Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A comprehensive, research-based study and overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
ELSE 6196: MAT Internship in Special Education
Duration: 15 weeks | Credit Hours: 6
Supervised and directed experience in teaching for students with disabilities in grades K-12. Prerequisites, Completion of required courses in the program prior to internship and passage of Special Education Praxis II must be completed.
Next Start Date: