M.A.T. in Special Education: What It Is and How It Can Advance Your Career
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Special Education is for people considering a career change who have recently graduated from college. The M.A.T. in Special Education is a teacher preparation program for candidates seeking licensure as special education teachers and to work with students with disabilities. Special education teacher preparation programs are among the most in-demand in the country. Many universities offer M.A.T. programs in Special Education. The M.A.T. in Special Education program at National Louis University is offered through the National College of Education. The program is a 42-credit program of study that leads to a master’s degree and initial Illinois licensure in special education, with an endorsement in Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) for students with a range of learning disabilities from kindergarten through age 22.
What Is an M.A.T. in Special Education?
Many programs teach topics such as special education law and student rights, how to administer assessments and write Individual Education Programs (IEPs), behavior management, and how to provide instruction to students with very different learning styles. These topics are taught as candidates gain experience in schools, usually through observed or supervised placements that culminate in student teaching.
The National Louis University M.A.T. in Special Education program is a 42-credit program that culminates in a master’s degree and initial licensure for candidates to become special education teachers. Candidates complete the program and earn their initial licensure in special education with an LBS1 endorsement (Learning Behavior Specialist I) and are prepared to work with students from kindergarten through the age of 22 in a variety of educational settings and models. Candidates enter the program with a Bachelor’s degree and typically complete the program in one to two years.
Why Pursue an M.A.T. in Special Education?
Special education programs are typically appealing to those who wish to work with students who have disabilities. There are many reasons individuals are drawn to special education programs, including a personal connection to a disability (e.g., a family member), prior work as a paraprofessional, aide, or in a related field (e.g., therapeutic or healthcare-adjacent).
In addition to strong job security, special education is an increasingly sought-after career, as many school districts across the country are facing a severe shortage of special education teachers. This is leading to a growing number of school districts offering hiring incentives and alternative certification paths for candidates pursuing special education licenses, as well as loan forgiveness opportunities for those who choose to teach in high-need districts.
Special education teachers work in smaller settings with individual students, or in small groups, in partnership with other teachers and related services personnel (e.g., speech-language pathologists and school psychologists). Special education teachers are responsible for maintaining the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of students with disabilities. These programs, developed in accordance with federal and state regulations, outline how students will progress academically, behaviorally, and functionally by the end of each school year.
Key Questions About the M.A.T. in Special Education
What license does this degree lead to?
What license does this degree lead to? In Illinois, an M.A.T. in Special Education generally leads to eligibility for the Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed for Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1), which authorizes a teacher to work with students with a wide range of disabilities from kindergarten through age 22 across various instructional models, including inclusive co-teaching and self-contained classrooms. Endorsement structures and terminology vary by state, so applicants outside of Illinois should confirm how a given program’s licensure maps to their own state’s special education credentialing system.
What ages or grade levels does a special education license cover?
Age Ranges for Special Education Teachers: Yes and No. While age ranges can vary by state and special education program, the typical Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS) I license, as offered in Illinois, covers students from kindergarten through age 22. Such a wide range of ages allows special education teachers to work in a variety of schools and settings.
Are there different pathways into the program?
As special education is a field that draws many career changers and individuals new to teaching, there are often different pathways into special education teacher preparation programs. These may include alternative certification and additional master’s degree pathways for individuals already working in a school in a paraprofessional or related role.
Do I need prior experience with students with disabilities to apply?
No, but many of our students do come in with prior experience working with students with disabilities. We have had several students who worked as paraprofessionals, or were family members of children with disabilities, or even worked in other related fields such as Applied Behavior Analysis or Speech-Language Pathology. However, our program is designed to teach all of the necessary knowledge and skills to become a special education teacher.
What the Curriculum Typically Covers
M.A.T. in Special Education Curriculum (Typically Offered): While requirements vary by school and state, below are some of the courses that are typically part of M.A.T. in Special Education programs:
- Special education law for students with disabilities, including students' rights and the process for developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Characteristics of various disabilities and their educational implications
- Assessment for special education eligibility and progress monitoring
- Individualized instructional strategies and curriculum adaptation
- Positive behavior support and behavior intervention planning
- Collaboration with general education teachers, families, and related service providers
- Supervised field experience in a variety of special education settings and student teaching in a special education classroom.
Career Outcomes
Employment of special education teachers is projected to increase from 2019 to 2029. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, special education teachers are consistently in high demand. In many states, special education is a designated teacher shortage area. This can affect both the number of available positions and the qualifications required for the position, such as loan forgiveness and hiring incentives. Current information on employment, wages, and projections can be found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Special Education Teachers.
Occupational Outlook Handbook, Special Education Teachers.
In addition to teaching in special education classrooms, graduates can work as special education case managers, behavior specialists, and instructional coaches. Many specialize further in assistive technology and/or transition services for students with disabilities to earn LBS2 endorsements. Graduates can also pursue School Psychology, Educational Leadership, or other advanced degrees that draw on their special education experience to work with and support students with disabilities in schools and at the district level.
While special education teachers are paid on the same district salary schedule as general education teachers, many school districts pay additional stipends, offer signing bonuses, or provide differentiated pay to teachers who teach students with special needs. Candidates should review the total compensation a district in the area where they wish to teach offers special education teachers.
M.A.T. in Special Education at National Louis University
National Louis University’s National College of Education (NCE) offers an M.A.T. in Special Education program for students with diverse educational backgrounds, leading to PEL (Professional Educator License) eligibility and an LBS1 (Learning Behavior Specialist I) endorsement for kindergarten through age 22 students. NLU’s M.A.T. program is a 42-credit program designed for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any field who can complete the program in one to two years. The Special Education program focuses on a social justice, equity, and family and community collaboration perspective in addition to core special education program coursework.
