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The M.A.T. program in special education is designed for career-changers or those persons deciding to become teachers after graduation from college in an area other than education. These persons may or may not have taken education courses as undergraduates but have an interest in working with students with disabilities. The M.A.T. degree requires 60 semester hours of graduate-level course work. The program, which includes 12 hours of student teaching, normally takes two years to complete. Candidates must complete requirements for the S.C. State Department of Education and appropriate accrediting agencies to receive Initial Certification in Special Education. Students take a comprehensive examination in their area of certification. A grade of C+ or lower on any 12 hours of graduate work at the University will disqualify a student for a graduate degree.

Admission

1. To be considered for admission all of The Graduate School application requirements and a letter of intent for proposed study in special education must be on file in The Graduate School. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, by the deadlines of October 15 (for spring or summer admission) or March 15 (for summer or fall admission).
2. Upon verification and receipt of all requirements by the Office of Special Education, the applicant will interview with the Programs in Special Education Admissions Committee and participate in an extemporaneous writing sample.
3. Acceptance by The Graduate School and the programs in special education is based on the evaluation of the applicant’s total academic profile by two admissions committee members. The admission committee members will rate the applicant’s letters of recommendation, GPA. test scores, writing sample, and interview on a 10O-point scale and determine an overall average score. Specifically. a GPA of 2.50 to 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) is eguivalent to 75 points and an 800 (verbal and guantitative combined) on the GRE or 388 (scaled score) on the Miller Analogies Test is equivalent to 75 points. The averaged ratings of the committee must meet or exceed 75 for the applicant to be admitted to the MAT. program. The profile of typical students admitted into the MAT. in Special Education for the past three years on selected items is as follows: GPA -2.8 or above: GRE -425/500; Miller Analogies Test -400.

Examinations/Certification

Students take a comprehensive examination in their area of certification. Candidates must also complete requirements for the S.C. State Department of Education and appropriate accrediting agencies to receive initial certification in special education. Students must maintain an average GPA of B or better on all courses taken for graduate credit. A grade of C+ or lower on any 12 hours of graduate work at the University will disqualify a student for a graduate degree. 

Degree Requirements (60 Hours)