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Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education K-12 Online


This program offers an alternative route to teaching licensure in K-12 public schools for individuals who hold a non-education degree. Students can earn a provisional license, enabling them to start teaching while they continue coursework. The MAT provides a comprehensive foundation of methods for assessing and teaching students on a broad spectrum of exceptional needs.

Next Apply Date: 5/14/24
Next Class Start Date: 5/28/24
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 5/14/24
Next Class Start Date: 5/28/24

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.

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
  • 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

As a graduate of this online program, you will be prepared for instructional and specialist roles in special education, including:

  • Special Education Teacher
  • Elementary Educator
  • Postsecondary Instructor
  • Instructor Coordinator
  • Behavior Intervention Specialist
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Elementary Educator
  • Postsecondary Instructor
  • Instructor Coordinator
  • Behavior Intervention Specialist

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.

Total Tuition: $12,240
Program Duration: As few as 12-16 months
Credit Hours 36

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition


Pay for your online program by the course

The MAT – Special Education K-12 online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for all U.S. residents. All fees are included.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $340
Total Tuition: $12,240

Calendar


Important dates for our students

A-State’s Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education K-12 degree is designed to be flexible for working students. This program features accelerated coursework and multiple start dates—making it ideal for busy schedules.

Please note that the internship course lasts a full semester and only starts in Fall 1 and Spring 1 of terms.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring 23/4/242/19/242/23/242/29/243/1/244/26/24
Summer 15/28/245/14/245/17/245/23/245/24/246/27/24
Summer 27/2/246/18/246/21/246/27/246/28/248/1/24
Fall 18/20/248/5/248/9/248/15/248/16/2410/4/24
Fall 210/14/249/30/2410/4/2410/10/2410/11/2412/6/24

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 5/14/24
Start Class 5/28/24

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

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.

Admission Requirements:

  • Minimum 2.70 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • Bachelor's degree

  • A baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.70 on a 4.00 scale from an accredited institution, or a 3.0 GPA on last 60 hours of coursework
  • A commitment from an educator who will function as your mentor during the degree program. View acceptable mentors (.PDF)

Application Submission Requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Pay the non-refundable $30 fee
  • Send official transcript(s) from the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the sending institution.
  • Submit all documents to:

    A-State Online
    P.O. Box 2520
    State University, AR 72467


    Fax: 870-972-3548
    Email: [email protected]

Courses


What you'll learn in your online M.A. in teaching courses

Students in the MAT – Special Education K-12 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.

Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

Students in this program must complete the following courses (36 credit hours).

Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Foundations of Teaching Students with Exceptional Needs. 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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the principles and practices for assessment and identification of individuals with disabilities with emphasis on the administration of formal and informal assessment instruments and interpretation and reporting of assessment data.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Developing comprehensive understanding of diagnostic and corrective needs of individuals with reading disabilities in special education classrooms.
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.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Advanced in-depth study designed to develop knowledge of the characteristics and issues related to individuals with 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.
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.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a basis of understanding and addresses behavior challenges of diverse learners. A range of issues, concepts, and practices centering on Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) in school, communities, and other social settings.
Duration: 7 Weeks 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.
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A comprehensive, research-based study and overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
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.

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.

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