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 - Mild to Moderate Support Needs

Q: Can I transfer in my Mild/Moderate credential to the MAT with MMSN?

No. Only the Education Specialist Instruction Credential: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) can be transferred into the MAT with MMSN program; the older Mild/Moderate Disabilities credential is not eligible for this specific transfer option.

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.

Combine your California Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential with a master's in teaching degree and make a difference in the learning and development of students who have lower support needs. Plus, our Internship Pathway allows you to become intern eligible after just four classes!

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Make a Difference in the Lives of Diverse Learners

This combined CTC-approved Preliminary Education Specialist, Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential with a Master of Arts in Teaching opens doors to support students with a wide range of cognitive, behavioral, emotional, communication, sensory, or motor disabilities. Our streamlined program helps you build a strong foundation in special education through engaging coursework and hands-on fieldwork, empowering you to design individualized education plans tailored to each student’s strengths and needs. After just four classes, you’ll be eligible to start as an intern teacher — earning a salary while you complete your credential. With only three additional courses, you’ll also earn your Master of Arts in Teaching and be ready to create inclusive, supportive learning environments for all students.

Work with Students of Various Ages: This Mild to Moderate Support Needs Special Education Credential prepares you to work in California school systems with K-12 students and adults up to the age of 22.
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

48 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.

Already Have a CA MMSN Credential?

Earn your MAT in just 4 courses. Complete in as little as 4-8 months.

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5Hours

13Minutes

47Seconds

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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

The professors I've had the pleasure to work with are very knowledgeable in their field and provide excellent resources to the course.

Gabriela G.

Early Childhood Special Education MAT and Credential Program

Acton Agua Dulce Unified School District

Compared to a brick and mortar, the professors are more open and I was able to learn better from them. The online community is what kept me going. I think this is the first time in my life that I can say I am proud of myself.

Leonard W.

Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, MA

I took the Autism classes [through Extended Education] and found the passion of special education, which I really never thought of as an option. I finished the Autism program and enrolled in the Master of Special Education. I have learned to reflect on my teaching and determine if I am reaching all students and on how to better reach any struggling students.

Amy J.

Special Education, MA

North Orange County ROP, Career Technical Education Teacher in the Education Pathway

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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

Jyothi Bathina, PhD

Associate 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

Morgan Nichols, PhD

Assistant Professor of 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.

Yes. If you hold a California Preliminary or Clear Single Subject, Multiple Subject, or Education Specialist Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) credential, you may be able to transfer a block of credit into the specific MAT program that matches that credential area. For example, a Single Subject credential can only be used to transfer into the MAT in Secondary Education with 2042 Single Subject Credential; a Multiple Subject credential can only be used to transfer into the MAT in Elementary Education with 2042 Multiple Subject Credential; and an MMSN credential can only be used to transfer into the MAT with MMSN.

In these MAT programs, the total degree is 42 credits, 30 of which are fulfilled by your existing matching credential, leaving 12 credits—typically EDUU 511, EDUU 681, EDUU 682, and EDUU 683—for you to complete to earn your master’s.

No. Only the Education Specialist Instruction Credential: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) can be transferred into the MAT with MMSN program; the older Mild/Moderate Disabilities credential is not eligible for this specific transfer option.

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.