MATSPED · Current · 64 CUs
Master of Arts in Teaching, Special Education
Source: WGU Program Guide·v202412·10/23/2024·medium confidence
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Program map shown from Areas of Study; standard sequence unavailable from source guide formatting.
About This Degree
WGU Catalog 2026-03The Master of Arts in Teaching, Special Education (MATSPED) is a competency-based program that enables teacher candidates to earn a Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Special Education, Mild to Moderate disabilities which leads to an initial licensure in Special Education (K-12) teaching certificate. The program will be completed online except for preclinical experiences, classroom clinical components, and student teaching. This program will involve an intensive, fast-paced education in fundamental issues, methodology, knowledge, and skills for special education teachers. The Master of Arts in Special Education, Mild to Moderate Exceptionalities program is specifically designed for the preparation of prospective teachers to work with students with mild to moderate disabilities in a variety of educational settings, including inclusion K-12 classrooms and resource classrooms. This program consists of online courses which take the learner educational professional core coursework and continues with specialized courses for special education content and methods of instruction, assessment, and behavioral interventions. Candidates develop and refine their teaching skills through a series of sequential experiences beginning with video- based observations and simulations of classroom instruction to prepare candidates for authentic, collaborative, clinical teaching experiences in P-12 special education settings. Multiple clinical experiences include teaching in face-to-face environments and culminate with supervised student teaching in two authentic classroom placements, one in an elementary special education setting and another in a secondary special education setting. Both placements support the academic needs of students seeking a license across all P-12 grades with mild-to-moderate disabilities. With the successful completion of degree requirements for graduation, including required assessments in the major area of teaching, the student can receive institutional recommendation for licensure in special education.
Official catalog text — WGU-authored.
Degree History
First offered2020-11StatusCurrentCUs (latest)64(was 52)
Teachers College→School of Education
Program Learning Outcomes
WGU Catalog 2026-03Official WGU-authored outcomes from the catalog Program Outcomes section.
- •The graduate demonstrates an advanced and continuous commitment to synthesizing the science of learning into instructional practice, addressing complex and unique learning needs, collaborating with learners and families, designing and implementing clear assessment methods, fostering and nurturing mutually respectful relationships with and between students, leveraging technology to enhance and transform learning, and cultivating their professional dispositions as an educator.
- •The graduate demonstrates a thorough comprehension and critically evaluates foundational special education subject matter and learning standards to enhance and innovate student learning effectively.
- •The graduate synthesizes and applies advanced learning sciences and instructional cycle knowledge, designs and implements developmentally appropriate practices to deeply engage students in the learning process, and fosters and leads a culture that is conducive to academic growth and excellence.
Areas of Study
7 groups · 30 coursesCourse groups from the WGU Program Guide. Expand each group to see course descriptions and competencies.
Course Roster (30 courses)
WGU Catalog 2026-03This program does not use a fixed-term course sequence. The Areas of Study section above is the primary program map for this degree — expand each group to see courses, descriptions, and competencies.
Total: 64 CUs across 30 courses (see Areas of Study above for the complete program map). Degree total per catalog: 64 CUs.