Licensure / Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education
Program Description
The MAT program in Special Education is designed to prepare teachers with various educational backgrounds as teachers of students with moderate disabilities in pre-K–8 and 5–12 grade levels. Today's demanding education environment requires teachers who consistently demonstrate gentleness in relationships and excellence in both teaching content and applying techniques.
The MAT in Special Education emphasizes:
- The role of the teacher as direct provider, collaborator, and connector to community-based learning
- The context of the student as family member, classroom/school participant, and society contributor
- The curriculum as the sum total of all the activities in which a student engages to achieve appropriate knowledge, skills, and values
Special Education Courses
Initial Licensure Program (18 credits)
Candidates with a bachelor's degree, but no formal teaching experience, may earn their initial license in Moderate Special Needs (pre-K–8; 5–12) by completing the following courses (all are three credits):
- Contemporary Issues in Special Education
- Assessment of Students with Special Needs
- Literacy Development Including Special Needs**
- Curriculum Adaptations/Differentiated Instruction for Students with Special Needs*
- Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Classrooms
- Initial Practicum/Seminar
** Field-based experiences require candidates to spend a minimum of 80 hours in school settings. While in a school, candidates observe, tutor, and where possible teach in both small- and large-group settings.
MAT - Professional Licensure Program - Moderate Special Needs (pre-K–8; 5–12) - Model B
Candidates who have completed the 18-credit Moderate Special Needs Initial Licensure at the post-baccalaureate level at Regis College and wish to earn a master's degree and professional licensure must complete the following 3-credit courses:
- ID 510 or ID 511 Natural Sciences in the Classroom
- ID 512 or ID 513 Humanities in the Classroom
- ID 514 Social Sciences in the Classroom
- ED 610 Research Seminar
- ED 522 Teaching English Language Learners
- ED 516 Development Issues and Learning in Children with Special Needs
MAT Degree Program - Professional Licensure Program (30 credits) - Model A
Candidates who have already earned their initial licensure (generally in an undergraduate program) and wish to earn a master's degree and professional licensure must complete the following 3-credit courses:
- ED 511 Teaching Today: Social Aspects
- ED 512 Children's Language and Learning
- ED 516 Developmental Issues and Learning in Children with Special Needs
- ID 510 or ID 511 Natural Sciences in the Classroom
- ID 512 or ID 513 Humanities in the Classroom
- ID 514 Social Sciences in the Classroom
- ID 520 Children's Literature
- ED 522 Teaching English Language Learners
- ED 610 Research Seminar
- ED 611 Clinical Practicum
Students employed as Catholic school teachers are eligible for a graduate education scholarship in addition to financial aid. Please contact Dr. Leona McCaughey-Oreszak or the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.
Upcoming Course Schedules
MTEL Information
- In order to be accepted into the initial licensure program, candidates must pass the Communication/Literacy Test portion of the MTEL while taking the first two courses in the initial licensure program
- In order to register for the practicum, candidates must pass the Foundations of Reading Test and the General Curriculum Multi-Subject Test and the Mathematics Sub-test portions of the MTEL.
