How does adding a Master of Arts in Teaching benefit me beyond having my bachelor’s degree and teaching credential?

Earning a master’s in teaching has numerous benefits for an educator. Here are a few key benefits: Expertise — You’ll expand your skills as an educator through the additional courses needed to earn your MAT, which all focus on broader issues in education. Increased salary potential — Most school districts offer higher pay tiers depending on the level of education. Career options — Having a master’s degree expands career options into areas such as curriculum coordinator, department head, assessment director, and various administrative roles. Expanded teaching — Should you choose at some point to broaden your teaching from the special education realm, an MAT can allow you to do so, although you may still have to gain subject matter expertise if you move into a completely new area. Still, your MAT would open possibilities teaching at community colleges, doing educational consulting, working at education nonprofits, and other options.

What is the difference between student teaching and an internship?

Both provide classroom experience, but they differ in responsibility, pay, and how you secure your placement. Student teaching: Learn alongside a mentor teacher and gradually take on classroom responsibilities in an unpaid placement coordinated by UMass Global. You are not the teacher of record. Internship: Earn a salary as the teacher of record, with full responsibility for your classroom and support from the university and district. You must secure an eligible teaching position and complete university approval and the Verification of Employment process.

MA in Teaching with Ed Specialist Credential - Extensive Support Needs

Q: What's the difference between an Extensive Support Needs Credential and a Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential?

A Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential authorizes the holder to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K-12 and through age 22 in California. This credential prepares educators to work in general and inclusive classrooms, focusing on behavior support, communication strategies, and adaptive skills. It is the initial credential required for those seeking to enter the field of special education, with a focus on working with students with fewer support needs. The Preliminary Education Specialist, Extensive Support Needs Credential is distinct from other special education credentials primarily because of its specialized focus on students with higher support needs, including those with autism, multiple disabilities, or cognitive disabilities. This credential authorizes the holder to teach students in grades K-12 and through age 22 in California. It prepares educators to work in specialized and inclusive settings, focusing on individualized education plans (IEPs), behavior support, communication strategies, and adaptive skills. Other California special education credentials include Early Childhood Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Standards Visual Impairments.

Develop the advanced skills to support and empower students with diverse learning needs, and champion inclusive classrooms for all learners. Plus, our Internship Pathway lets you become intern eligible in as few as four classes!

Make a Difference in the Lives of Diverse Learners

The CTC-approved Preliminary Education Specialist, Extensive Support Needs Credential, combined with a Master of Arts in Teaching, streamlines your path to a fulfilling teaching career in California. Gain the skills to support and empower students with diverse and complex learning needs, including those with extensive support needs, multiple disabilities, or students who are neurodivergent. Build a strong foundation through coursework and fieldwork focused on inclusive special education. Develop your expertise in designing individualized education plans built on thoughtful assessment and collaboration. After your first four courses, you’ll be eligible for an intern position, so you can start teaching and earning as you complete your credential. With just three additional courses, you’ll also earn your Master of Arts in Teaching.

Working with Students and Families: In core courses, you’ll learn different assessment and evaluation procedures used in special education, and how to interpret results and share them with family members.
MAT Opens More Doors: Beyond teaching, an MAT opens doors to other roles, such as instructional coach, curriculum specialist, assessment director, grade-level lead, administration, teaching at a community college, and more.
Curriculum Design, Classroom Management: You’ll use California content standards to learn to design developmentally appropriate special education lessons, to understand and differentiate instruction for varying needs, and to assess student progress.

CA Only

At a Glance

Online: Instructor-Led

51 Credits

$770/Credit

Help me estimate my cost

Next Start Date

Spring I (Jan 11, 2027)

Program Benefits that Benefit You.

EdSp CalTPA Support

Continuous, embedded Ed Specialist CA Teaching Performance Assessment (EdSp CalTPA) preparation built into every stage of your credential journey.

Preparing California’s Teachers

UMass Global is California’s second-largest provider of teaching credentials.

Transfer More & Finish Faster

Apply up to 9 graduate credits toward your MAT, and California-credentialed teachers may be able to transfer even more — reducing costs and helping you graduate sooner.

Next Session Starts

75Days

0Hours

15Minutes

52Seconds

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Median Salary²

Job openings (in the last 12 months)

Top Companies Hiring

Median Salary²

Job openings (in the last 12 months)

Top Companies Hiring

Median Salary²

Job openings (in the last 12 months)

Top Companies Hiring

Data source: Lightcast™ 2026 www.lightcast.io

The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.

Change in employment projections 2022 - 2032
Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and updated quarterly
The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program

Courses You Might Take

EDUU 511

Inclusive Practices for Student Success

3 Credits

EDUU 512

The Art & Craft of Teaching

3 Credits

EDMU 520

Literacy and Language in K-8 Classrooms I

3 Credits

EDUU 602

Positive Behavior Supports

3 Credits

EDSP 542

Understanding Diversity and Special Education Law

3 Credits

EDSP 543

Modifications and Accommodations in Learning

3 Credits

What Our Students Say

My journey at UMass Global has been transformative. The university not only equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for success but also instills a sense of purpose and a passion for lifelong learning. If you are considering applying to UMass Global, be prepared to embark on a fulfilling educational adventure that goes beyond traditional academic boundaries.

Julia R.

Teaching, MA with Extensive Support Needs Credential

SDC Teacher, Palmdale School District

UMass Global provided the flexibility, the support, and the resources to make success possible on my terms. The late-night study sessions, the early-morning assignments before the rest of the world woke up, the professors who understood that life doesn’t pause just because you have a deadline — that is what made the difference. UMass Global wasn’t just a university; it was a bridge between where I was and where I wanted to be.

Cindy M.

MA in Teaching, Elementary Education

Teacher

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Admission Requirements

Applicants to the teaching credential program must complete the formal application process with all required documents, which include:

Completed application
2.75 grade point average (GPA)
Official transcripts showing a conferred Bachelor's degree from a institutionally accredited institution

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Our Faculty

All Faculty

Nicole Schneider, EdD

Professor of Education

Jessica Bogunovich, EdD

Program Chair, Multiple, Single Subject, and MAT/Associate Professor of Education

Lauren Fischbacher, PhD

Assistant Professor of Special Education

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Earning a master’s in teaching has numerous benefits for an educator. Here are a few key benefits:

Expertise — You’ll expand your skills as an educator through the additional courses needed to earn your MAT, which all focus on broader issues in education.
Increased salary potential — Most school districts offer higher pay tiers depending on the level of education.
Career options — Having a master’s degree expands career options into areas such as curriculum coordinator, department head, assessment director, and various administrative roles.
Expanded teaching — Should you choose at some point to broaden your teaching from the special education realm, an MAT can allow you to do so, although you may still have to gain subject matter expertise if you move into a completely new area. Still, your MAT would open possibilities teaching at community colleges, doing educational consulting, working at education nonprofits, and other options.

You may be able to balance full-time work with coursework—or begin your teaching career while completing your program. After your first four classes, you may become eligible for a paid teaching internship. If you qualify and secure an intern position, you can work as the teacher of record while completing your remaining program requirements.

Your academic advisor can help you plan a manageable course load. Depending on your pathway and employment setting, required fieldwork may also mean adjusting your work schedule.

Teaching Credentials

A Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential authorizes the holder to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K-12 and through age 22 in California. This credential prepares educators to work in general and inclusive classrooms, focusing on behavior support, communication strategies, and adaptive skills. It is the initial credential required for those seeking to enter the field of special education, with a focus on working with students with fewer support needs.

The Preliminary Education Specialist, Extensive Support Needs Credential is distinct from other special education credentials primarily because of its specialized focus on students with higher support needs, including those with autism, multiple disabilities, or cognitive disabilities. This credential authorizes the holder to teach students in grades K-12 and through age 22 in California. It prepares educators to work in specialized and inclusive settings, focusing on individualized education plans (IEPs), behavior support, communication strategies, and adaptive skills.

Other California special education credentials include Early Childhood Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Standards Visual Impairments.

Both provide classroom experience, but they differ in responsibility, pay, and how you secure your placement.

Student teaching: Learn alongside a mentor teacher and gradually take on classroom responsibilities in an unpaid placement coordinated by UMass Global. You are not the teacher of record.
Internship: Earn a salary as the teacher of record, with full responsibility for your classroom and support from the university and district. You must secure an eligible teaching position and complete university approval and the Verification of Employment process.

Obtaining a Preliminary Special Education Credential, Extensive Support Needs offers numerous benefits for educators and their students:

Specialized Training: This credential provides educators with specialized training to effectively teach and support students with moderate to severe disabilities. This includes strategies for behavior management, communication, and adaptive skills.
Career Opportunities: Educators with this credential are highly sought after due to the specialized nature of the role. There is a growing demand for teachers who are qualified to work with students who have extensive support needs. While this credential is specifically for teaching SPED in California, it lays the groundwork for a teacher to also work in other states with some additional coursework or testing.
Making a Difference: Educators can make a significant difference in the lives of students with extensive support needs, helping them achieve their fullest potential in academic, social, and personal development.
Advocacy and Leadership: Teachers with this credential often become advocates for students with disabilities, influencing policy and promoting inclusive education practices within their schools and communities.
Collaboration Skills: Working with students with extensive support needs requires collaboration with families, therapists, and other educational professionals, enhancing teamwork and communication skills.
Personal Fulfillment: Many educators find personal fulfillment and a strong sense of purpose in helping students with significant challenges overcome barriers and succeed in their educational journey.

Earning a Preliminary Special Education Credential, Extensive Support Needs Credential equips educators with the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality education to students with significant support needs, while also offering a rewarding and impactful career path.