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Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education is a new program in South Dakota leading to initial certification of K-12 Special Education teachers. This new master’s program is in response to the market demand and the number of non-certified special education staff employed in schools who cannot be teachers of record without certification.

Black Hills State University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education (SPED) program provides initial certification in K – 12 special education teaching at the graduate level.

Those interested in the MAT program must have an earned undergraduate degree in a field other than education.

Those who already have a degree in education and wish to pursue an additional degree in K-12 Special Education should seek information with the Masters of Science: Curriculum and Instruction (MSCI) program.

The total number of credits required is 47, with 25 credits specific to special education licensure and 22 credits specific to initial certification.

Completed graduate application to BHSU
Official transcripts showing completion of an undergraduate degree
Two letters of recommendation
Introductory letter/statement of intent
Review the Graduate Handbook for Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education
Submit the MAT-SPED Admission Packet to the School of Education

Upon completion of the program, students will be certified in the state of SD to be teachers of record for K-12 students who receive special education services.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education Course Requirements*

Special Education Coursework:

SPED 506 Introduction to Assistive Technology - 2 credits
SPED 510 Behavior Management of Exceptional Children - 3 credits
SPED 513 Serving Students with MR, DD, and Severe Disabilities - 3 credits
SPED 517 Vocational-Transitional Programming - 3 credits
SPED 520 Curriculum & Instructional Strategies K-12 - 3 credits
SPED 531 Identification and Assessment in Special Education - 3 credits
SPED 553 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders - 3 credits
SPED 560 Family Systems and Professional Collaboration - 3 credits
SPED 585 Special Education Law - 2 credits

Initial Certification Coursework:

ED 622 Foundations of Education & Learning Theory - 3 credits
ED 695 Pre-Student Teaching SPED Practicum (co-requisite with SEED 508) - 1 credit
INED 511 South Dakota Indian Studies - 3 credits
SEED 508 Planning, Managing & Assessing the 7-12 Diverse Classroom - 3 credits
SEED 550 7-12 Teaching Reading in Content Area - 3 credits
SPED 535 Characteristics and Exceptionalities of Adolescents - 3 credits
SPED 695 Practicum - 1 credit
SPED 688 Student Teaching - 4 credits
EDFN 790 Seminar Performance Assessment - 1 credit

*Course requirements may vary by academic year. To view the requirements for your academic year, please visit Registration & Records for status sheets.

Status Sheets

Dr. Mary Anne Fleury
Assistant Professor, Special Education

Coordinator for the M.A.T. in Special Education Program

Mary Anne Fleury Headshot

Additional questions or concerns? Want to find out more about the M.A.T. program?

CONTACT INFO
mary.fleury@bhsu.edu
605-642-6329

Contact Info

Dr. Johanna Sailor
Assistant Professor, Social Science Education
School of Education
johanna.sailor@bhsu.edu
Jonas 221, Jonas Academic Map
Phone: 605-642-6196
Contact for MSCI Program

Dr. Mary Anne Fleury
Assistant Professor, Special Education
School of Education
mary.fleury@bhsu.edu
Jonas 230, Jonas Academic Map
Phone: 605-642-6329
Contact for M.A.T. in Special Education Program

Dr. Ryan Amys
Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Education Program
School of Education
ryan.amys@bhsu.edu
Jonas SW 201 Map
Phone: 605-642-6196
Contact for M.S. in Education (Project SECOND)

Dr. Denice Turner
Associate Professor, Language Arts Education
denice.turner@bhsu.edu
Jonas 220, Jonas Academic Map
Phone: 605-642-6778
Contact for M.Ed. in Reading Program

School of Education
Black Hills State University
1200 University St.
Spearfish, SD, USA 57799

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education Course Requirements*

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