Special Education
Virtual Open House - Thursday, April 9: 5–6:30pm
Join us at one of our upcoming virtual Graduate School Open House events on Zoom! You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about ĚđąĎĘÓƵapp, participate in a Q&A with current students, and meet key program representatives.
Through coursework in instructional methods, behavior support, assessment, and inclusive
practices—paired with required internship experience—students learn to design effective,
individualized instruction for learners with diverse needs.
The program is built for career-changers and working adults, leading to both a teaching
license and a graduate degree.
ĚđąĎĘÓƵapp the M.A.T. in Special Education Program
What You'll Learn
The M.A.T. in Special Education will develop your skills as a teacher and increase your understanding of working with special education populations. Students in the Adapted Curriculum concentration will take 39-semester hours of courses like Introduction to Autism and Evidence-Based Methods for Teaching Students with Autism. Students in the General Curriculum concentration will take 39-semester hours of courses like Best Practices for Teaching Math and Literacy to Exceptional Learners, Collaboration with Families and Professionals, and Classroom Management for Exceptional Learners. Both programs lead to recommendation of licensure from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Where You'll Go
WCU’s M.A.T. graduates will be eligible to teach special education populations in grades K-12. Graduates with a master's degree an also teach courses at the community college, provide specialized consultation in schools, and move into leadership positions at the school district level.
Next Steps
If you are passionate about working with special education populations the M.A.T. in Special Education will give you the skills necessary for your career. The program provides you with the education and credentials required to be a special education teacher. Coursework focuses on the methodology and psychology of working with special education populations, and also covers teaching methods and lesson preparation. The M.A.T. in Special Education offers two areas of concentration: Adapted Curriculum Concentration and General Curriculum Concentration. Applicants are required to provide an essay, three recommendations, transcripts, and resume.
More ĚđąĎĘÓƵapp WCU's MAT - Special Education Program
WCU’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Special Education Program is a fully online pathway for individuals with a non-education bachelor’s degree to earn initial K–12 special-education licensure in North Carolina. The program prepares candidates to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities (General Curriculum) or severe/profound disabilities (Adapted Curriculum).
WCU’s M.A.Ed. in Special Education is for educators who already hold an initial (“A” level) teaching license. The program includes a professional core, a special education core, and a required concentration in one of four areas: Creative & Innovative Education, Mild to Moderate Disabilities, Severe/Profound Disabilities and Educational Studies (non-licensure).
WCU’s AIG licensure program consists of 12 graduate credit hours in gifted education. Courses are delivered online with the exception of a required one-week summer field experience. The program can be added to any existing academic area teaching license.
Interested in This Program?
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