Master of Teaching - Special Education (Charlottesville)
Do you want to be teacher for children with mild to moderate disabilities? Join UVA School of Education and Human Development's top-ranked program for a path to a truly rewarding and important career—and one that is in high demand.
The School of Education and Human Development is proud to offer a Master of Teaching (M.T.) degree and teacher licensure with an endorsement in Special Education - General Curriculum (grades K-12). The general curriculum endorsement is appropriate for teachers who will work with students with mild to moderate disabilities. It differs from the Special Education - Adapted Curriculum endorsement, which the School of Education and Human Development does not offer. This is a post-graduate program for those who have already completed an undergraduate degree.
Getting Started
- Download our 2021-22 Special Education Advising Guide for the on-grounds program
- Attend a virtual information session
- General Information Session: October 19, 6pm - register here
- Student Experience Panel: November 16, 6pm - register here
- Subscribe to our pre-teacher education listserv
- Gain experience by seeking out opportunities to work with youth
Special Education Fellowship Opportunity: Project VIDEO
The School of Education and Human Development is offering $12,000 fellowships to well-qualified individuals seeking to become special education teachers who plan to work in P-12 schools. The purpose of Project VIDEO (Virginia Intensification for Individuals with Dyslexia who need Explicitness and Ongoing Tiered Supports) is to prepare special education teachers alongside speech-language pathologists as they learn to support students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia. Scholars who accept funding from the federal government are expected to work with students with disabilities in schools for two years for every one year they accept funding. See the Project VIDEO webpage for more information.
Fellowship Opportunities
The School offers a range of fellowship and scholarship opportunities. Review the complete list.
Other Special Education Pathways at the School of Education and Human Development
Students interested in our part-time, online special education program should visit our Special Education - Online program page.
Teachers who hold a professional license and wish to add the special education endorsement can do so by taking our Special Education - General Curriculum Add-on course series. This course series can also be applied toward a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.
Our Success Is Your Success
Best Grad School for Special Education in the Nation, Says U.S. News & World Report
Program Details
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Admission Requirements
Possess an undergraduate degree prior to matriculation. Applicants are expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.7 with a 3.0 GPA in the major, though applicants not meeting this requirement will be considered. Faculty review applications holistically and will consider academic record, goals, relevant experience, and letters of recommendation.
Current UVA students who hold a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above qualify as direct admit applicants and are not required to submit reference letters. Admission is not guaranteed for direct admit applicants.
*We strongly encourage applicants to spend time in schools and/or work with youth prior to applying. Access a list of suggested opportunities here.
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Application Due Date
Prospective students must complete the online application and submit supporting materials by April 1. Admissions are rolling, and decisions will be returned approximately 6 weeks after the application is submitted. Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications by February 1. Applications reviewed after February 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.
**All application fees have been waived for Post-Graduate Master of Teaching (PGMT) students applying to start in Summer 2022.**
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Early Admission for UVA Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students at UVA may apply early to the Master of Teaching program during the 2nd or 3rd year. Students admitted to the program will be guaranteed admission to the PGMT program as long as they meet all program prerequisites and maintain a strong academic record. Contact Jillian McGraw, Director of Teacher Education, with questions about the early admission process.
Students can apply early through the EHD undergraduate application. When applying, you will not see the correct summer start terms available to you because we share this application portal with undergraduate admissions. Choose any future start term, and we will adjust your entry term during the review process.
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Course Overview
Refer to the Special Education Advising Guide in the Getting Started section above for a detailed list of courses and additional requirements. The 2021-22 calendar is outlined below. The 2022-23 calendar has not yet been approved. It will follow a similar structure to the current calendar, but the dates may change based on university and P-12 calendars.
Summer
- Orientation: June 3-4, 2021
- Classes Run: June 7, 2021 - August 6, 2021
Fall
- School Placements Begin: August 16, 2021
Spring
- School Placements Begin: January 3, 2021
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Public Professional Licensure Disclosures
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Upon completion of the Master of Teaching program at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state. Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php.