Our College of Education offers three distinct graduate programs in special education. The M.A.T. is primarily for those with an undergraduate degree outside of education who are seeking to become a licensed special education teacher. The M.Ed. program is designed for certified teachers looking for special education certification or additional licensure, while the Ph.D. prepares students to become special education teacher educators or administrators.

The MAT in Special Education will provide the knowledge and skills to prepare you to become an effective teacher for students with disabilities, as designated by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Our primary mission for the MAT program is to provide initial certification in Special Education to career changers or those persons deciding to become teachers after graduation from college with a degree in an area other than education. Moreover, the program’s goals emphasize preparing future special education teachers to respect the diverse characteristics and needs of individuals with disabilities and their families by upholding the CEC professional ethical principles, practice standards, and professional policies.