I chose SUNY Empire because of the ability to take courses online and have a flexible
schedule.
Master's of Arts in Teaching
Special Education
Turn your passion for inclusive education into a rewarding career with SUNY Empire’s online MAT in Adolescent Special Education.
This 45-credit program is flexible, career-focused, and designed for working professionals. You’ll build skills in assessment, behavior management, and inclusive teaching, while gaining hands-on experience through field work and mentored residencies. Multiple enrollment paths and built-in New York State certification help you tailor your journey and graduate ready to make a difference.
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Program Overview
Master of Arts in Teaching in Adolescent Special Education
Earn your M.A.T. in Adolescent Special Education online and build the skills to support diverse learners in inclusive classrooms. This flexible, career-focused program prepares you to become a certified special education teacher for grades 7–12, with hands-on experience and the tools to lead in today’s schools.
Next term starts
Fall 2025
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Course List: -
Three pathways to certification are available to students in the M.A.T. in Adolescent Special Education program:
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Transitional B
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Clinically-Rich Residency
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Classroom Academy Residency
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The pathways offer an assortment of enrollment sequences. The enrollment sequence chosen will depend on the required clinical coursework that aligns with a student's chosen track. Regardless of the track chosen, all sequence types contain the same first-year coursework. Please Note: The clinical supervision courses (i.e., Mentored Teaching or Residency courses) in both tracks must be completed with a B or better. If the course grade results in less than a B, students may repeat the course in accordance with the Graduate Evaluation and Grading Policy found in the Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.
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TRANSITIONAL B ENROLLMENT SEQUENCE
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The Adolescent Transitional B certification pathway is a part-time option designed for working adults who would like to become certified teachers of record while simultaneously completing their M.A.T. degree. The blended course delivery (in-person and online) requires that students are computer literate in order to engage in this technology-rich program. Transitional B certification is a full New York State teaching certification that allows qualified M.A.T. students to seek employment as teachers of record after just one year in the program. First-year requirements include successful completion of:
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18 credits of introductory special education coursework
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50 hours of field experience in New York State schools
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Appropriate New York State Certification Exams
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Child Abuse, School Violence, Autism, & DASA training
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Any liberal arts and sciences course deficiencies identified at admission
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During the second and third years of the Transitional B certification pathway, students may continue their coursework while working as a full or part-time 7-12 special education teacher in a New York state school. In this setting, students will be mentored by faculty members and networked with other Transitional B certification teachers across the state. The program culminates in the Mentored Teaching Capstone course. In addition to completing the 45-credit program, students must pass the Students with Disabilities CST exam in order to qualify for Initial certification.
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SPED 6005
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EDUC 6010
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EDUC 6015
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SPED 6025
Teaching & Learning Across the Contents: Methods I (Blended)
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SPED 6040
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SPED 6045
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SPED 6050
Teaching Exceptional Adolescents in Inclusive Settings: Methods II (Blended)
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SPED 6065
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SPED 6060
Psychoeducational Assessment Practices & IEP Development (Blended)
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SPED 6080
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SPED 6070
Successful Transitioning Through Partnership and Collaboration (Online)
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CURI 6050
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SPED 7030
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EDUC 6130
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SPED 7035
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Clinically-Rich Residency Enrollment Sequence
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The Clinically Rich Residency is the first of two possible pathways in our 3-year MAT program in Adolescent Special Education (grades 7-12). After the first two years in the program, our candidates are placed in a host school during their last year in the program. The candidates teach alongside a Critic Teacher, under a gradual release of responsibility model. During the year, the Resident gradually takes over the responsibilities of the teacher, including following curriculum, lesson planning, and classroom leadership. Residents have the support and guidance of their Critic Teacher, Field Supervisor and course instructors throughout the year while working in their placement. There are opportunities available for the candidates to maintain their employment by using one of the residency models such as a teaching assistant or a substitute teacher. Candidates must complete 8-weeks full-time in the classroom to meet the requirements of the residency. Upon completing all certification requirements, program completers are eligible for New York State Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist initial certification (and Professional certification with three years of teaching experience).
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SPED 6005
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EDUC 6010
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EDUC 6015
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SPED 6025
Teaching & Learning Across the Contents: Methods I (Blended)
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SPED 6040
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SPED 6045
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SPED 6050
Teaching Exceptional Adolescents in Inclusive Settings: Methods II (Blended)
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CURI 6050
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SPED 6060
Psychoeducational Assessment Practices & IEP Development (Blended)
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EDUC 6130
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SPED 6070
Successful Transitioning Through Partnership and Collaboration (Online)
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SPED 6075
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SPED 7010
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SPED 7005
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SPED 7015
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Classroom Academy Residency Enrollment Sequence
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The Classroom Academy residency model is the second pathway option within our existing 3-year M.A.T. program in Adolescent Special Education, grades 7-12. After the first year of the program, Classroom Academy residents are fully integrated into a host school for year 2 and 3. M.A.T. students will teach alongside a critic teacher, under a gradual release of responsibility model. Over two years, the resident will gradually take over the responsibilities of the teacher, including following curriculum, lesson planning, and classroom leadership. Residents will have the support and guidance of their critic teacher, field supervisor and course instructors over two years while working in their placement. During the Classroom Academy residency experience, students will complete additional coursework that links theory to classroom practice. Residents receive intensive mentoring by faculty members and field supervisors. The program concludes with the capstone project within the M.A.T. in Special Education program. Upon completing all certification requirements, program completers are eligible for New York State Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist initial certification (and Professional certification with three years of teaching experience).
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SPED 6005
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EDUC 6010
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EDUC 6015
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SPED 6025
Teaching & Learning Across the Contents: Methods I (Blended)
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SPED 6040
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SPED 6045
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SPED 6050
Teaching Exceptional Adolescents in Inclusive Settings: Methods II (Blended)
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CURI 6050
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SPED 7063
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SPED 6060
Psychoeducational Assessment Practices & IEP Development (Blended)
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SPED 7065
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SPED 6070
Successful Transitioning Through Partnership and Collaboration
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SPED 6075
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SPED 7067
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EDUC 6130
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SPED 7005
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SPED 7069
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Ready to Apply?
Prepare to Lead in Inclusive Classrooms
What you'll learn
- Design individualized learning plans
- Manage inclusive classroom environments
- Apply research-based special education practices
- Collaborate with families and school teams
Make a Difference With a Master’s in Special Education
An online master’s in special education prepares you to teach, lead, and support diverse learners. Career options include:
- Certified Special Education Teacher (grades 7–12)
- Inclusive Education Specialist
- Co-Teaching or Collaboration Consultant
- Educational Program Coordinator
- Transition Services Specialist
Interested? Start Here
1
Prepare to Teach and Inspire Every Learner
We're here to support you every step of the way, making your journey to an M.A.T. in Adolescent
Special Education as smooth and meaningful as possible. Our dedicated advisors will
help you stay on track, build essential teaching skills, and move closer to becoming
a certified special education teacher ready to make a lasting impact in grades 7–12.
Request Info
2
Apply for the MAT in Adolescent Special Education Program
Make sure you have all the admissions requirements and complete your application to be ready for our next term!
Next start term
Fall 2025
Deadline to apply
August 1
Start Your Degree
as soon as September 2, 2025.
Interested in the MAT in Adolescent Special Education?