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Multi-Categorical Special Education

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

The Multi-Categorical Special Education Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at Converse is a 61-hour master’s program that prepares special education teachers to educate students with mild, moderate, and severe Intellectual Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Emotional Disabilities. Teacher candidates progress through a series of developmentally sequenced field experiences for the full range of ages, types, levels of abilities, and collaborative opportunities. 

Degree Offered

  • Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education: Multi-Categorical (S.C. grades PK-12)

Program Goals

  • The purpose of this program is to provide a high-quality, coherent degree program for individuals who want to become certified in Multi-Categorical Special Education
  • Provide a thorough course of study in human growth and development;
  • Develop skills in appropriate pedagogy and classroom management; and
  • Promote a broad knowledge of the history, theory, and professional practices that are related to students with intellectual or learning disabilities.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Beginning teacher candidates will provide meaningful and challenging learning experiences.
  2. Beginning teacher candidates will use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions.
  3. Beginning teacher candidates will use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning and to select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies.
  4. Beginning teacher candidates will practice collaboration with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies

Multi-Categorical Special Education at Converse

Learning Disability
The MAT in Multi-Categorical Special Education will focus on specific learning disabilities that affect language, spoken or written, that may manifest themselves in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. Teacher candidates will learn and practice evidence-based teaching methods and strategies, which will help provide services for students with problems in oral expression, listening comprehension, written expression, reading skills, reading fluency skills, reading comprehension, mathematics calculation, and mathematics problem-solving.

Emotional Disability
This degree will focus on a scope of knowledge about Emotional Disability, which prevents students from receiving reasonable educational support in general or special education and separate special education schools. Teacher candidates will learn evidence-based practices, which cover areas of social skills (teaching relationships, problem-solving, focusing, conflict resolution, self-advocating, and building support systems), emotional regulation (impulse control, anger management, anxiety and depression management, coping with trauma, increasing frustration tolerance), and how to provide behavioral supports (functional behavior assessments, behavior intervention plans, accommodations).

Intellectual Disability
This degree will focus on Intellectual disability in mild, moderate, and severe cases. Teacher candidates will gain knowledge and techniques to help manage challenging behaviors such as aggression, self-injury behaviors, withdrawal, impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and other behaviors associated with emotional disabilities. After completing the rigorous curriculum, our teacher candidates will be able to support students with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities in general education settings (inclusion, mainstream), self-contained, or separate special education schools.

More Reasons to Choose Converse

Affordable: Converse makes your investment in your career potential easier and more affordable than ever. For a comprehensive look at costs, visit our graduate program tuition and financial planning page.

Accessible:
• Converse offers coursework, mentoring, and academic support in Greenville, Spartanburg, and online.
• With a faculty-to-student ratio of 13:1, your journey will be supported every step of the way.

Accomplish in 2 years or less:
• 61-hour degree path spans five semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring)

Graduate Admissions

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