Special Education Specialization, M.A.T.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Sharon Richter

The Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) with a specialization in Special Education is a 37-hour program designed for candidates who have earned an undergraduate degree in a non-education field and are seeking initial teaching certification in Special Education (K-12). Successful completion of the program and licensure requirements will lead to a Master’s Degree and North Carolina Special Education (K-12) teacher certification. The program prepares educators to be highly effective special education teachers in kindergarten through grade 12.

Classes are offered online in the evenings to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. At UNCW, students in the M.A.T. in Special Education complete courses to prepare future special educators with knowledge including disability characteristics, Individual Education Plans, applied behavior analysis, assessment and evidence-based practices. During the final semester, students participate in a full-time student teaching internship in a special education setting under the guidance of a Partnership Teacher and faculty supervisor. Each MAT in Special Education student will choose between a concentration in Special Education: Adapted Curriculum or Special Education: General Curriculum.

The Special Education: Adapted Curriculum concentration prepares special educators to teach learners with significant intellectual and multiple disabilities from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Course content includes characteristics of learners with significant intellectual and multiple disabilities, systematic instructional methods such as task analysis and prompting systems, teaching skills for independence across settings of life, supporting meaningful access to grade-level academic content, and assessment and intervention to support learners with complex communication needs.

The Special Education: General Curriculum concentration prepares special educators to teach individuals with mild to moderate disabilities from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Course content includes characteristics and needs of individuals with high incidence disabilities, assessment for data-based decision making, evidence-based assessment and instructional methods in literacy and math, and behavior support strategies for teaching children and youth with behavioral disorders.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university completed before graduate study begins.
Official copies of transcripts from each institution attended (graduate and undergraduate).
An undergraduate grade average of “B” (GPA = 3.0) or better is recommended.
Three recommendations from individuals in professionally relevant fields.
A letter of interest.
Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Required Core Courses

Students are required to complete Required Core Courses (28 credit hours) and choose a licensure concentration in either Adapted Curriculum Concentration Courses (9 credit hours) or General Curriculum Concentration Courses (9 credit hours).

Required Core Courses (28 credit hours)

EDN 509 - Education in a Multicultural Context Credit Hours: 3
SED 501 - Lifespan Development for Individuals with Disabilities Credit Hours: 3
SED 511 - Special Education K-12 Master of Arts in Teaching Internship Credit Hours: 6
SED 512 - Program Planning and Secondary Transition in Special Education Credit Hours: 3
SED 513 - Culturally Responsive Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Credit Hours: 3
SED 515 - Autism Spectrum Disorders and Technology Credit Hours: 3
SED 516 - Assessment in School-based Settings Practicum Credit Hours: 3
SED 517 - Single Case Research Credit Hours: 3
SED 518 - Beginning Special Educator Mentorship Credit Hours: 1

Adapted Curriculum Concentration Courses (9 credit hours)

SED 531 - Systematic Instruction for Learners with Multiple Disabilities Credit Hours: 3
SED 532 - Curriculum for Learners with Significant Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities Credit Hours: 3
SED 533 - Supporting Learners with Complex Communication Needs Credit Hours: 3

General Curriculum Concentration Courses (9 credit hours)

SED 541 - Foundations of Literacy Credit Hours: 3
SED 542 - Advanced Literacy Credit Hours: 3
SED 543 - Mathematics Instruction for Students with Disabilities Credit Hours: 3