Not all students are equipped to learn like their classmates. That’s why they need teachers who are specially equipped to help them achieve their educational goals. Whether its teaching children with a learning disability or problems with behavior, a Masters in Special Education at Liberty University helps to develop teachers with the specialization they’ll need to help these students learn as efficiently as possible too. Not only will this graduate degree prepare teachers to assess and develop strategies to help special-needs students individually, but also obtain the proper credentials sought by school districts looking for the best candidates to serve this at-risk population.
Details of the Masters in Special Education at Liberty University
A bachelor’s degree isn’t quite enough to learn what is needed to educate special-needs students. That’s why many districts require a masters degree in special education. To seek licensing as a special education teacher, students enrolled in the Masters in Special Education at Liberty University need to already have completed a bachelor’s of arts from a university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with that bachelor’s degree related to the field of special education. In fact, many states require their special education teachers to be double-majors in elementary or secondary education, along with obtaining their master’s in special education, so Liberty University “strongly recommends” this path for its special education teaching candidates.
Once accepted into the program that awards a Masters in Special Education at Liberty University, teacher candidates will undergo three intensive course, either on campus or via online learning. In EDUC 504, they’ll learn the historical and philosophical foundations of Education, with, according to the syllabus, “emphasis … placed upon analysis of religious and public educational trends in the past and present. The candidates will be required to formulate a personal, Christian worldview philosophy of education.” Then, in EDUC 622, they’ll learn valuable assessment and intervention procedures for determining precisely what types of disabilities or behavioral problems students are facing, in a distance learning setting. Finally, in EDUC 623, they’ll learn the Principles of Behavior Management, to apply the techniques and procedures for teaching these students individually and in group settings. These three classes are taken in conjunction with 10 other College of Education courses to ready new teachers for any classroom–special needs or not.
This teaching period is followed directly by a certification examination, which must be passed before student teaching can begin. Masters in Special Education at Liberty University candidates will then undergo 15 weeks of student teaching, or one semester’s worth, during which they’ll learn to put their new knowledge into action and gain valuable insight from tenured teachers.
To achieve a Masters in Special Education at Liberty University doesn’t necessarily mean a candidate is well-to-do. There are many financial aid options available and they can be found on Liberty’s website on a page entitled Six Steps to Financial Aid. The tips found there will help any student be able to afford earning a Masters in Special Education at Liberty University.
