Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education & Special Education: Learning Disabilities
American University’s special education master’s degree program prepares teachers to meet the specific needs of preschool, elementary, junior high, high school, and post-secondary students with a diverse range of learning challenges. Our flexible full-time and part-time program equips graduates with diagnostic-prescriptive training to meet students’ individual needs, resulting in a 100% placement rate in graduate school or the workforce. The School of Education provides an environment promoting authentic connections between students, faculty, and staff, and supports all students to ensure they feel valued, respected, and are able to succeed.
The Special Education: Multidisciplinary (SEM) concentration is offered online and prepares educators to meet the needs of students with high support needs (e.g., medical, physical, communication, cognition). The SEM concentration addresses students’ developmental and vocational outcomes.
The Special Education: Learning Disabilities (SELD) concentration is offered online and in person and prepares educators to meet the needs of preschool, elementary, middle, high school, and post-secondary students with learning and attention challenges. The SELD concentration is closely aligned with the Sally L. Smith Methodology and partners with the Lab School of Washington in fellowship opportunities for SELD students.
Flexible Coursework
Elevate your expertise with full- and part-time in-person and online tracks to fit your unique schedule.
1–2 Year Completion
Earn your degree in one year as a full-time student or two years on a part-time schedule.
Esteemed Partnerships
Collaborate with renowned organizations like Lab School of Washington and the McLean School while building long-lasting connections with professors and peers.
No Experience Required
Prepare for DC, Maryland, and Virginia licensure you may transfer to 48 states without needing prior teaching experience.
Recent alumni currently are employed at:
- AIM Institute for Learning & Research
- District of Columbia Public Schools
- KIPP DC
- Montgomery County Public Schools
- National Child Research Center
- NY City Department of Education
- The Children’s Guild Alliance
Career Outcomes
Our graduates find employment in various settings within the special education field, including public, private, and independent schools, clinics, treatment centers, government agencies, and research institutions. Additionally, many of our special education graduates pursue doctoral programs or leadership roles in schools, organizations, and government.
Lab School of Washington Fellowship
The Lab School of Washington Fellows Program offers select candidates from the SELD concentration a 12-month residency working with students who have language-based learning differences. This evidence-based program helps candidates support students with challenges like dyslexia, ADHD, writing, and mathematics.
Lab School Fellows receive intensive training, classroom management strategies, and mentorship from mentor teachers and university faculty. Coursework includes topics on learning disabilities, language learning, diagnostic and intervention techniques, and neuropsychology. This apprenticeship model effectively prepares students for careers as teachers, learning specialists, tutors, or for further study in psychology, neuropsychology, education policy, and special education.
Degree Timing Options
Full-time 1 Year Option
Full-time students can complete the program in as little as one year (fall, spring, and summer). Full-time students typically take three to four courses (12–15 credits) per semester, plus the internship requirement.
Sample Course Schedule
Summer
- EDU 606: Theories & Methods in Diagnostic and Prescriptive Math
- EDU 607: Learning and the Brain
- EDU 620: Theories of Educational Psychology and Human Development
- EDU 643: Foundations of Special Education for Exceptional Children
*This summer session can be taken as the first semester with a summer start or as the third semester with a fall start.
Fall
- EDU 645: Learning Disabilities I
- EDU 654: Methods of Managing Pupils with Behavior Disorders
- EDU 671: Foundations of Reading: Diagnosis and Remediation
- EDU 792: In Service Training Project (1 credit)
Spring
- EDU 605: Psycho-educational Assessment for Learning Disabilities
- EDU 644: Language Development and Remediation
- EDU 646: Learning Disabilities II
- EDU 792: In Service Training Project (1 credit)
Part-time 2 Year Option
Part-time students typically take six credits (two courses) per semester to complete the program in two years (or five semesters).
Sample Course Schedule
Fall
- EDU 654: Methods of Managing Pupils with Behavior Disorders
- EDU 665: Overview of All Exceptionalities: The Arts in Special Education
Spring
- EDU 605: Psycho-educational Assessment for Learning Disabilities
- EDU 644: Language Development and Remediation
Summer
- EDU 606: Theories & Methods in Diagnostic and Prescriptive Math
- EDU 607: Learning and the Brain
- EDU 620: Theories of Educational Psychology and Human Development
Fall
- EDU 645: Learning Disabilities I
- EDU 671: Foundations of Reading: Diagnosis and Remediation
- EDU 792: In Service Training Project (1 credit)
Spring
- EDU 646: Learning Disabilities II
- EDU 792: In Service Training Project (1 credit)
Upcoming Teacher Education (MAT) Open House
Join Us at an Open House
Tuesday, October 14 from 7-8pm (ET)
Contact teachered@american.edu with any questions.
Student Teaching Placement
Students who need student teaching credits must complete a year-long placement at a partner school. Those finishing the program in one year typically begin their student teaching placement in their first semester. Throughout the student teaching placement year, you will be in a classroom from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students may work part-time jobs in the afternoons, between their student teaching placement and classes, during the academic year from September to June.
- 30 credit hours of approved graduate work
- Capstone experience
- Specializations: Licensure or Non-Licensure
Credit Requirements
Required (24 credits)
Note: An elective approved by the student’s advisor may be used as a substitute for EDU-620 Theories of Educational Psychology and Human Development (3 credits).
Special Education (3 credits)
Complete 3 credit hours from the following:
Capstone (3 credits)
Complete 3 credit hours from one of the following options:
Licensure Specialization
Non-Licensure Specialization
Summer 2026 Master's Program Key Dates
- Priority Scholarship Deadline: November 11, 2025
- Priority Application Deadline: March 23, 2026
- Final Application Deadline: April 20, 2026
- Final Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2026
- Classes Begin: May 11, 2026
National Rankings and Research Excellence
American University’s School of Education continues to earn national recognition for its excellence and innovation. In the 2025 rankings, it was named No. 31 for Best Education Master’s Degree School in the U.S. (College Factual), received GOLD recognition for Global Online Learning (Times Higher Education), and ranked No. 19 in the nation for Co-Ops and Internships (U.S. News & World Report).
Additionally, American University has received the prestigious R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification, the highest recognition for doctoral research institutions in the United States. This designation underscores the university’s leadership in advanced research. It connects students with faculty, staff, and peers who generate innovative ideas and translate their research into practical applications through inclusive, interdisciplinary collaboration.
MAT in Special Education Faculty Members
Sarah Irvine Belson Professor SOE | General Academics & Research
Antonio Ellis Senior Professorial Lecturer and Director of the Institute on Education Equity and Justice SOE | Online Partner Programs (OLP)
FAQs
What are graduates from the MAT Special Education programs doing now?
Many graduates work in various settings related to special education including public schools, private schools, independent schools, clinics, treatment centers, government, and research institutions. Graduates also go on to doctoral programs and leadership positions in government, education, and organizational settings. Hear from some of our alumni.
Can I continue to work full-time while completing the program?
Full-time work may be accommodated depending on the circumstances of the student. All MAT: SELD courses are offered from 5:30–8:00 p.m. or 7:30–9:20 p.m. ET.
When does my teaching placement start?
Students who require student teaching credits complete a year-long placement at a partner school site. Students completing the program in one year typically start their student teaching placement during their first semester.
Can you work while completing your student teaching placement?
During the year that your student teaching placement occurs, you attend classes from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students may work part-time in the afternoon between student teaching placement and class.
(September–June academic year of placement)
Do I have to take the Praxis CORE to be admitted?
Praxis CORE (or equivalencies) is not required for admission.
While we strongly recommend completion by the end of the first semester, all admitted students must take Praxis CORE (or equivalencies) by graduation. The DC teacher licensing agency sets passing scores as: Reading 156, Writing 162, and Math 150. To submit Praxis, use school code 5007 (no department code). Praxis scores can take up to six weeks to arrive after the test date. See the Educator Testing Flyer or visit the OSSE website for additional test types.
What are graduates' Praxis pass rates?
Our Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education graduates have earned a 93% rate of passing Praxis over the past 2 decades.
Still have questions?
Send us an email or call 202-885-3731.
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