The Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education is a new program in South Dakota leading to initial certification of K-12 Special Education teachers. This new master’s program is in response to the market demand and the number of non-certified special education staff employed in schools who cannot be teachers of record without certification.
Black Hills State University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education (SPED) program provides initial certification in K – 12 special education teaching at the graduate level.
Those interested in the MAT program must have an earned undergraduate degree in a field other than education.
Those who already have a degree in education and wish to pursue an additional degree in K-12 Special Education should seek information with the Masters of Science: Curriculum and Instruction (MSCI) program.
The total number of credits required is 47, with 25 credits specific to special education licensure and 22 credits specific to initial certification.
Upon completion of the program, students will be certified in the state of SD to be teachers of record for K-12 students who receive special education services.
Program Requirements in pdf document
**Current students, please refer to the DegreeWorks Dashboard in MyBHSU to confirm your major requirements.**