Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Special Education K-22
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education provides candidates that are interested in special education with the knowledge and skills to work in a continuum of special education services in Illinois to serve learners with disabilities from kindergarten to age 22. Graduates will be prepared to demonstrate competency and proficiency as a special education teacher regarding specially designed instruction, Individualized General Curriculum, and Individualized Independence Curriculum (CEC, 2015; CEC 2020). Emphasis on instruction / methods, assistive technology, and assessment for the following learners with disabilities’ access needs includes: learning disabilities, social/emotional disabilities (internationally known as, and otherwise known as, emotional/behavioral disorders), intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, other health impairment, and traumatic brain injury. Students who successfully complete Pathway 1 are eligible to apply for an Illinois Professional Educator License with the LBS1 endorsement provided that the appropriate requirements, and state testing standards, have been met.
Program Objectives
- Develop the abilities for research and critical thinking as a special educator
- Exhibit high standards of professional competence and ethical practice
- Develop competency in
- specialized instruction,
- curricular adaptation,
- accessible technology,
- individual learner needs,
- assessment and data-informed decision-making,
- effective instructional delivery,
- collaborative processes,
- ethical learning and leading,
- social emotional learning,
- reading instruction, and
- methods in supporting diverse learners.
- Improve understanding of the needs of families
- Understand reflective practice and culture
- Explore the role of advocacy for and with key stakeholders
- Engage in planning for continuous improvement and professional learning
Areas of Study
Pathway 1:
Upon successful completion of Pathway 1 degree requirements, candidates are eligible to apply for a Professional Educator License (PEL) with Special Education endorsement from the state of Illinois for grades PK-22.
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
| SPED 6425 | Psychology & Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| EDU 6200 | Beginning Reading Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 6212 OR EDU 6230 | Studies in Literacy and Multiliteracy -OR- Content Reading: Middle and Secondary Schools | 3 |
| SPED 6050 OR ESL 6630 | Teaching Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Students w/ Disabilities: Characteristics Methods -OR- Methods and Materials for Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| SPED 6230 | Assistive Technology: Principles and Practice | 3 |
| SPED 6350 | Characteristics and Learning Needs of Students with Academic and Physical Challenges | 3 |
| SPED 6355 | Instructional Strategies for Students with Academic and Physical Challenges | 3 |
| SPED 6360 | Characteristics and Learning Needs of Students with Specific Learning and Emotional Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 6365 | Instructional Strategies for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 9370 | Curriculum Based and Educational Measurements of Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| EDUC 6985 | Student Teaching Seminar² | 3 |
| EDUC 6929 OR EDUC 6925 | MAT SPED Student Teaching Internship -OR- MAT Capstone¹ | 6 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33-36 | |
| SPED 6900 | MAT-SPED Program Supervision (as needed) | 0 |
1 This course may only be taken with special approval of the Director of Field Experience and the Division Chair.
2 To be taken concurrently with student teaching or capstone.
Students must have a grade of C or higher in all master’s courses and content coursework for successful program completion.
Pathway 2:
Pathway 2 graduates are not eligible for any state of Illinois endorsement upon completion of this program.
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
| SPED 6425 | Psychology & Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| EDU 6200 | Beginning Reading Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 6212 OR EDU 6230 | Studies in Literacy and Multiliteracy -OR- Content Reading: Middle and Secondary Schools | 3 |
| SPED 6050 OR ESL 6630 | Teaching Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Students w/ Disabilities: Characteristics Methods -OR- Methods and Materials for Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| SPED 6230 | Assistive Technology: Principles and Practice | 3 |
| SPED 6350 | Characteristics and Learning Needs of Students with Academic and Physical Challenges | 3 |
| SPED 6355 | Instructional Strategies for Students with Academic and Physical Challenges | 3 |
| SPED 6360 | Characteristics and Learning Needs of Students with Specific Learning and Emotional Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 6365 | Instructional Strategies for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 9370 | Curriculum Based and Educational Measurements of Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Content Coursework Requirements for MAT – Special Education Program Studies
- Grades of C or higher in college-level coursework (not remedial) will fulfill content coursework requirements.
- Content coursework must be completed at regionally accredited institution(s) of higher education and be documented on official transcript(s).
- 3 semester hours: Writing
- 3 semester hours: Fine arts or literature
- 3 semester hours: Mathematics
- 3 semester hours: Science
- 3 semester hours: Social studies (American Government or U.S. History)
- 3 semester hours: Social science (psychology or sociology preferred)
Clinical Experience (Pre-Professional Hours)
- Minimum of 100 hours (all pre-professional hours are embedded in the MAT coursework).
- Each course will describe the number of hours required to be completed in classrooms and the nature of the experience that a candidate must complete.
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