The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in special education degree program is designed to lead to initial licensure in special education. Candidates completing the program are prepared to serve as teachers of individuals with disabilities in a variety of educational placements. This program offers the following concentrations:
The post-bac M.A.T. (initial licensure) program is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and are interested in pursuing initial licensure to teach special education K-12 Adapted Curriculum, special education K-12 accessing the General Education Curriculum, or Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Candidates who have not completed the JMU undergraduate pre-professional program are required to provide transcript evidence that they have completed liberal studies and specified subject matter courses deemed necessary for pursuing licensure in special education. Those candidates not having such course work will be required to complete undergraduate-level, general education and/or subject matter content courses under the terms of provisional admission to graduate study as a degree-seeking candidate.
The initial licensure M.A.T. degree program must contain a minimum of 30 credit hours of professional education course work at the graduate level. The total number of credit hours, however, may vary depending upon the educational background of the student. Please contact your assigned advisor to develop a plan of study. At least half of a candidate's program of study must be taken at the 600 level. In some rare cases, depending on a candidate's prior academic preparation, other prerequisite course work may be required for unconditional admission to this graduate program and to meet teacher licensure requirements. A comprehensive examination is required as part of the M.A.T. programs in K-12 Adapted Curriculum, K-12 General Curriculum and ECSE.
This program is designed to be completed in 2.5 years. Summer courses are required.
Teacher Licensure Competencies
These courses may be needed by advisement to meet licensure standards.
Students accepted into Post Bachelor Degree M.A.T. have an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and meet all admissions requirements for the Graduate School. Completion of the post bachelor degree M.A.T. program prepares students for initial licensure. In addition to the required graduate coursework, students may be required to complete co/prerequisite coursework, depending on their prior academic preparation, in order to meet licensure requirements.
Application Deadline for Adapted Curriculum K-12 Concentration
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Students can start the program in the fall, spring, or summer. Applications should be submitted 8 weeks before the start of the semester. For more information regarding the application process please visit The Graduate School's website.
Application Deadlines for Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-Age 5) and General Curriculum K-12 Concentrations
The program application opens on September 1 and closes March 1. Review of applications begins February 1. Early application before February 1 is recommended to have full consideration for graduate assistantships.
Additional Admission Requirements for Post-Baccalaureate Programs
Professional resume
Two letters of reference (one which can speak to potential as a graduate student and the other which addresses professional dispositions)
A two- to three-page written statement (double spaced) describing the applicant's professional background, the educational issues that the applicant would like to address in the master's program, and the applicant's long-term professional goals
After you have been admitted to The Graduate School and have received your student ID, you must apply for admission to Teacher Education. Your application to Teacher Education through JMU's Education Support Center (ESC) is the first step in the process of obtaining your Virginia State Teaching License. This must be completed by the end of your first semester of course work.
Advisor's signature on printed copy of application. Bring the printed form to your advisor and return signed form to the Education Support Center (ESC)
Complete the pre-professional self-assessment
Adapted Curriculum K-12 Concentration
JMU is a member of Virginia's Adapted Curriculum Consortium. The consortium's primary goal is to prepare teachers across the state to be highly skilled at working with learners with severe disabilities and/or autism. The program is designed to increase the number of fully endorsed teachers by providing training to new full-time preservice personnel and to accelerate the training for those already teaching on provisional licenses. Students enroll and complete the course requirements at JMU, but some courses are taught online through the consortium.
The Consortium has been supported by grants from the Virginia Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Every semester, the Consortium awards a limited number of tuition stipends to qualified applicants. Special Education Adapted Curriculum coursework includes:
Characteristics of students with disabilities (K-12) on the adapted curriculum,
Language acquisition,
Individualized support and specialized care,
Reading instruction,
Assessment and program planning,
Curriculum and instructional methods for the adapted curriculum,
Classroom and behavior management,
Collaboration, and
Transition
Field experiences provide students with the opportunity to learn and practice skills in working with learners with disabilities and their families in a diverse educational setting across grade levels.
Other professional competencies required for licensure (by advisement only)1
3-9
Subtotal
12-18
Total Credits
43-52
1
Other courses may be determined by the individual needs of the candidate and approved by the adviser.
General Curriculum K-12 Concentration
Concentration Requirements
The K-12 program requires two student teaching experiences (i.e., at upper and lower grade levels) across multiple areas of disability. For candidates who have completed other licensure programs, one student teaching experience may be sufficient.
Other courses may be determined by the individual needs of the candidate and approved by the adviser.
Students without a teaching license must take EXED 650 at four credits, for a total of eight credits. Students that already hold teacher licensure take only four credits of EXED 650.
