Discover career opportunities in your area that match your interests.
Create and download your plan today!
As the Educator of Educators®, Walden proudly offers an MAT program nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Our program was reviewed and approved by the CEC as part of our College of Education’s CAEP accreditation process.
IMMERSIVE CONTENT
This full-time, online MAT program has virtual field experiences and avatar simulations to help you build actionable skills.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH
Learn to address student needs from classroom, family, and community perspectives. Help each child grow and succeed.
DEDICATED TO YOUR JOURNEY
Our faculty and staff support you at each step, from information on financial aid options to guidance on the licensure process. For those who apply and qualify.
The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This means the college has met rigorous standards for demonstrating excellence and continuous improvement in educator preparation.
Our program prepares you to address the instructional, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students with mild to moderate exceptionalities K–21. Build confidence in your skills with in-person and virtual field experiences.
Education professionals are helped to create safe, supportive, and respectful learning environments that promote social-emotional development, self-responsibility, and character to optimize learning for all students in this course. Education professionals learn how to foster a sense of community in the classroom and develop positive relationships with and among students. They explore age-appropriate skills and strategies for managing dynamic and flexible grouping structures and teaching conflict resolution. They also examine strategies for building positive relationships, fostering motivation, and engaging in effective communication and problem-solving with parents and families. Education professionals apply course concepts through the development of a hands-on, age-appropriate learning activity to implement within a classroom field experience.
To help ensure high levels of learning and achievement for all students, today's educators must be knowledgeable about learners and learning and well-versed in effective teaching and assessment practices. In this course, education professionals examine the interrelationships between assessment, teaching, and learning as well as effective practices for applying and integrating these critical components in the P–12 classroom. They gain a historical perspective on the standards and accountability movement, and they examine standards in their state or local setting. They also explore learning theory in the context of today's challenging educational goals and standards. Education professionals learn and apply research-based practices in effective assessment, curriculum design, and instruction. Through on-site and Virtual Field Experience (VFE®), they critically analyze and implement teaching and learning principles and practices that help ensure awareness of individual and collective needs of students.
What do special educators need to know and be able to do to support students with exceptionalities and address their unique learning needs? In this course, education professionals examine historical, legal, and philosophical foundations that inform teaching and learning for students with exceptionalities. Education professionals explore issues related to identification, eligibility criteria, and delivery of services for students across multiple disability areas. Through course assignments and discussions with colleagues, education professionals develop the knowledge and skills necessary to build collaborative relationships with families and other stakeholders to help provide appropriate services to students.
An important role of all educators is helping students develop the literacy skills they need to succeed in school and in life. In this course, education professionals build foundational knowledge in literacy principles, practices, and strategies so that they can effectively engage and enhance students' reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Education professionals learn about early literacy development including phonological awareness, concepts of print, and phonics. They explore strategies to help developing readers, including ways to promote vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, writing, and content-area literacy. Education professionals identify research-based principles that support the literacy and learning of all students, including English language learners. Through field experience assignments, education professionals develop and implement literacy instruction and assessments with students in K–12 classrooms. Topics include organizing the literacy classroom, differentiating literacy instruction, and involving families to support the literacy development of all students.
The dynamics of today's classroom are unique and challenging for teachers and learners. Education professionals in this course explore and analyze issues, complexities, and responsibilities associated with the field of education in the 21st century, including providing equal educational opportunities for all learners, regardless of their differences. They come to understand that many factors influence learning, including individual experiences, talents, prior learning, language, culture, and family and community values. Additionally, education professionals gain an understanding of the Minnesota-based American Indian tribal government, history, language, and culture. They engage in discussions and reflections on issues of diversity through which they have the opportunity to articulate, defend, and/or challenge current issues. They also address learning theory, diverse learning styles, and practical instructional strategies, and they acquire theoretical and practical knowledge about today's classroom as well as the family and community contexts that influence children's learning and development.
You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to funding your education.
Do you want to foster a deeper understanding of diverse learners and learn how to support their intellectual, social, and physical well-being? Your next step may be a Master of Arts in Teaching online program focused on special education. Walden paves the way with our simple admissions process.
Begin your journey with:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No GRE requirement
Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
Walden helps bring our Master of Arts in Teaching online program within reach, thanks to partner and military savings, transfer of credit, and scholarships.
Manage your costs with:
Tuition Savings
Transfer of Credit
Scholarships
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 46 semester credit hours | $630 per semester hour | $28,980 |
| Program Fee | Per semester | $230 | $1,150 |
$30,130** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$4,410 | ||
*Represents minimum time to completion and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**The tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 6 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-1080.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,000 to $1,200.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the need for special education teachers will continue. In 2023–2024, more than 40 states have reported shortages of special education teachers.2
Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten and Elementary School
Expected growth: -1% Decline1
Estimated annual wage: $47,100–$81,9901
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School
Expected growth: -1% Decline2
Estimated annual wage: $47,950–$84,4002
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the MAT Special Education program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
Graduates of Walden’s online Master of Arts in Teaching program with a specialization in Special Education will be prepared to:
Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of the subject matter meaningful for students.
Understand how children learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support a child’s intellectual, social, and personal development.
Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and performance skills.
Plan instruction based upon knowledge of the subject matter, students, community, and curriculum goals.
Understand and use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.
Be a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
Use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
Foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well-being.
Understand how students differ in their approaches to learning and create instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
Use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Benefit from the wisdom of seasoned educators—our faculty's real-world knowledge fuels your academic and personal growth.
Here’s a basic outline of the steps to follow if you’re considering becoming a special education educator:
Walden University provides support to guide you every step of the way toward your special education teaching license—including your first conversations with an Enrollment Specialist, assistance from student success advisors throughout your program, support from our field experience team to help set organize your demonstration teaching, and guidance from licensure experts on applying for your teaching certificate.
Professionals seeking a Master of Arts in teaching (MAT) online program are looking to earn their first teaching license in a specific field, and they often hold a bachelor’s in a discipline other than education. There are a variety of options when it comes to choosing the right program, but a few key factors should always be considered before deciding, including accreditation, flexibility, diversity, and support. First, look for an MAT program offered at an accredited university or college. CAEP accreditation signals the quality of a school’s educator preparation programs, as well as the school’s commitment to continuous assessment and improvement. Flexible scheduling is also important for working professionals, which is why online degree programs are such a popular choice. It’s also vital to be able to connect with other professionals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, which can greatly enhance your MAT experience. Lastly, be sure you choose a university with a strong support team that is invested in helping you succeed.
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is a recognized national accreditor for educator preparation and aims to promote excellence through quality assurance and continuous assessment and improvement. Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited by CAEP for a period of seven years, from April 2019 through June 2026. This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs—including the MAT in Special Education program. The Riley College of Education and Human Sciences earned CAEP accreditation by meeting rigorous national standards and demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.
If you have a passion for learning and the desire to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in life, choosing a teacher licensure preparation program like Walden’s Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education program is a good choice. Gain the competencies and knowledge you need to earn your license and begin to make a difference in the lives of students with exceptionalities.
An MAT degree program can provide you with the fundamentals of classroom management, the foundations of literacy, the skills to work with diverse learners, and best practices for being effective in the classroom and in your school. Walden University’s MAT – Special Education (K–Age 21) is designed to equip you with the skills to help effectively teach learners with exceptionalities.
