Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.): Special Education

“A heart for serving people with disabilities, and a keen interest in improving their quality of life” – this is how students who graduate from our program describe their connection to the field. Through our Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education, students gain the advanced skills, knowledge, and credentials to improve outcomes for people with disabilities. If teaching individuals with disabilities and being a teacher leader is your passion, the M.A.T. in Teaching: Special Education may be the right choice for you.

The M.A.T. in Teaching: Special Education is for educators who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Teaching Special Education (K-12): Adapted Curriculum or Special Education (K-12) General Curriculum (Phase I) at UNC Charlotte. The M.A.T. is the Phase II of the Teaching Special Education Program and is offered 100% online.

Phase I is the completion of the Graduate Certificate, which leads to the Initial North Carolina Professional Educator’s License in Special Education. In Phase I, a student progresses toward becoming a fully licensed teacher through coursework related to people with special needs, classroom management, assessment, and required special education paperwork. Through your methods courses, you will develop skills in planning, conducting, and reflecting upon instruction while you gain valuable experience in schools. Phase I culminates in a full-time student teaching experience. Our goal is to help you become an effective, professional, and confident teacher. (Note: Our programs are for N.C. teachers, and students are expected to be in N.C. schools to complete field experiences and internships. Click here to see the licensure requirements in other states.)

Phase II is the completion of the remaining requirements for the Master of Arts and qualifies graduates for the M-Level North Carolina Professional Educator’s License in Special Education. During Phase II, you will continue to develop advanced teaching skills and insights as you apply what you learn to classroom situations. You will also develop skills in research and leadership through courses in research, behavioral assessment, and transition-focused collaboration and consultation. Students complete individual master’s capstone projects as part of the requirements.

Why choose the UNC Charlotte M.A.T. in Teaching: Special Education?

  • The M.A.T. coursework is fully online so it provides flexibility and convenience for you to study and participate from your home or office. Furthermore, our courses are immersive and highly interactive. This combination ensures the rigor, quality and flexibility of our online learning environment, while focusing on the hands-on teaching methods that effectively prepare our students to excel in their future careers.
  • A special emphasis is placed on clinical experiences during which candidates spend time in classrooms with specific purposes. Clinical experiences may include but are not limited to the following: observe teachers, shadow experienced teachers, work with students one-on-one, and work with students in large or small groups. Clinical experiences provide opportunities for students to analyze student learning, apply evidence-based practices, and practice interventions that have a positive impact on all learners. All teacher candidates complete clinical experiences in at least three diverse settings, so by the time you graduate, you’ll have a variety of experiences to share in job interviews!
  • The Special Education faculty regularly achieves regional, state, and national recognition in scholarship, teaching, and research. Best of all, they’re accessible to you to provide the instruction, guidance and mentoring you need.
  • You will be part of a supportive learning community with faculty members who are invested in your learning and peers who share your drive to become an excellent teacher.
  • UNC Charlotte’s extensive network of schools gives you access to a wide range of opportunities to practice the things you learn in your coursework.
  • All teacher education programs at UNC Charlotte are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The M.A.T. in Teaching: Special Education has been approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education.

Career Options

Demand for special education services and teachers should continue to rise as children with disabilities are identified earlier and enrolled into special education programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of special education teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is comparable to other professions. Job opportunities may be better in certain specialties, such as teaching students with autism. Graduates may also pursue doctoral degrees to prepare for school and district leadership positions or positions in higher education.

The Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) is an information and support hub for current and potential teacher candidates. The office provides consultation and resources for program admission, and links students to campus resources. In addition, staff provide guidance regarding the teacher licensure application process and verify program completion for teacher licensure.

The Center for Graduate Life provides the support and community students need to meet the challenges they will face throughout their graduate experience. The Center offers professional development, career advice, skill development, and more. Virtual workshops are available on subjects such as graduate academic writing and research writing at the graduate level.

The University Career Center provides services, programs, and support for students and alumni. Events include an Education Career Fair held each spring semester. Services include individual appointments with career advisors and the Hire-A-Niner online job and internship database.

Learn from Exceptional Faculty

Our faculty members are equipped with strong academic backgrounds and practical experience in their fields, which enables them to provide the knowledge and mentoring you need to gain the most from your coursework. In addition, our faculty have successfully sought grants to support our graduate students in completing their degrees.

Faculty members have also received numerous awards for research, teaching and service: Award for Excellence in Research – from the UNC Charlotte College of Education; North Carolina Outstanding Career Award in Teacher Preparation – from the North Carolina Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children; Research Early Career Publication Award – from the Council for Exceptional Children; Fred Keller Excellence in Behavioral Analysis Award – from the North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis.

Do you want to learn how to make education accessible to all students? If so, click here to learn more about the requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education, graduate student financial aid and the graduate application process.