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Special Education with Initial Licensure

Prepare to become a licensed special education teacher through a 36-credit online MAT for bachelor’s-degree holders. Combine focused graduate coursework with a full-year residency that lets you apply what you learn in an authentic school setting.

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Special Education with Initial Licensure

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Degree Level
Master of Arts in Teaching
Delivery
Fully Online
Time to Degree
3 Semesters
Credit Hours
36 Total, 36 in Major
Careers
Preschool, Kindergarten, School
Special Education with Initial Licensure students at EIU

Why Study Special Education with Initial Licensure at EIU?

  • Earn a master’s degree while preparing for initial special education licensure
  • Complete graduate coursework online
  • Gain a full year of supervised experience in special education
  • Study assessment, instruction, behavior and transition as an integrated program
  • Learn from faculty with extensive professional experience in special education
See it for yourself Schedule a Visit
"I attended EIU for my previous Master's Degree and absolutely loved the program and experience! I am wanting to continue that experience with my second Master's Degree. I also teach in the same community as EIU and have always had a positive, working relationship with people at EIU!"
Justin Bledsaw
MSED: Educational Leadership Teacher Leader/Principal Dual Endorsement | Class of 2026
Justin Bledsaw, MSED: Educational Leadership Teacher Leader/Principal Dual Endorsement at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Complete two semesters of residency in special education
  • Assess student needs and develop appropriate educational programming
  • Plan instruction in literacy and numeracy
  • Apply positive classroom and behavior-management practices
  • Collaborate with families and other education professionals
Hands-On Experience, Special Education with Initial Licensure students at EIU

What You'll Learn

EIU's MAT in Special Education provides a route to initial teacher licensure for individuals who already hold a bachelor;s or graduate degree. Coursework addresses exceptional learning needs, legal and professional issues, assessment, curriculum development, literacy and numeracy instruction, behavior management, family partnerships and transition programming.

View in Catalog
$65,023
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Special Education Teachers, Preschool
  • Special Education Teachers,…
  • Special Education Teachers,…
  • Special Education Teachers, Middle…
  • Special Education Teachers, Secondary…
  • Adapted Physical Education Specialists
  • Teaching Assistants, Special Education
  • Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Career Insights

Job Outlook Average Outlook Average OutlookO*NET doesn't currently flag any of the careers linked to this program as Bright Outlook. That doesn't mean jobs aren't out there. It just means these careers aren't expected to grow quickly, don't have 75,000 or more projected openings, and aren't new and emerging.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)Job Zone 4: Considerable preparationMost of these careers require a four-year bachelor's degree. They also tend to build on several years of work-related experience or training.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit SocialSocial interest typeYou like helping people. This work centers on supporting others by helping, teaching, advising or serving them.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$16,524 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 17% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $8,262 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
17% of lifetime limit

$16,524 total, just 17% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Cori More
Associate Professor, Assistant Chair (SPE)
cmmore@eiu.edu
1205 Buzzard Hall
217-581-7918
Cori More Message Cori

Message Cori

or email cmmore@eiu.edu directly
Melissa Jones
Professor, Graduate Coordinator (SPE)
mljones2@eiu.edu
1227 Buzzard Hall
217-581-5315
Melissa Jones Message Melissa

Message Melissa

or email mljones2@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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EIU's programs, resources, and facilities are available to all students regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity. Discrimination precluded by federal and state statutes is strictly prohibited.