Special Education
Virtual Open House - Thursday, April 9: 5鈥�6:30pm
Join us at one of our upcoming virtual Graduate School Open House events on Zoom! You鈥檒l have the opportunity to learn more about 蘑菇短视频, participate in a Q&A with current students, and meet key program representatives.
Through coursework in instructional methods, behavior support, assessment, and inclusive
practices鈥攑aired with required internship experience鈥攕tudents 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.
About 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 42-semester hours of courses like Topics In Communication Disorders; Physical Care and Management of Students with Profound Disabilities; and Evidence-Based Methods for Teaching Students with Autism. Students in the General Curriculum concentration will take 42-semester hours of courses like Best Practices for Teaching Math to Exceptional Learners; Collaboration with Families and Professionals; and Culturally Responsive 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鈥檚 M.A.T. graduates will be eligible to teach special education populations in grades K-12. The National Education Association states the average salary for North Carolina public school teachers is $47,783 for the 2014-15 school year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 6% increase in high school teacher hirings by 2022. There are also a number of opportunities across the nation and internationally for primary and secondary teachers.
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 two essays: One outlining your professional goals and another based on a topic provided by the program. Learn more by visiting the College of Education and Allied Professions and explore all available programs.
More About WCU's MAT - Special Education Program
WCU鈥檚 Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) 鈥� Special Education Program is a fully online pathway for individuals with a non-education bachelor鈥檚 degree to earn initial K鈥�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鈥檚 M.A.Ed. in Special Education is for educators who already hold an initial (鈥淎鈥� level) teaching license. The program includes a professional core, a special education core, and a required concentration in one of four areas: Behavioral Disorders, Gifted, Creative & Innovative Education, Mild to Moderate Disabilities, and Severe/Profound Disabilities.
WCU鈥檚 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.
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