Programs Offered: General Curriculum & Adapted Curriculum
K-12
Program prepares you to teach students with disabilities in grades K-12
37
Credit Hours
Offers
Offers
Cohort-model program
Dedicated faculty with expertise in special education
Flexible online instructor-led courses, designed for working professionals
Field experiences in NC public schools
Full-time internship during the final semester
Special Education MAT Program Overview
Your Path to Teaching
Our MAT in Special Education is a two-year program, designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field and would like to teach exceptional learners at any grade level from Kindergarten through grade 12.
Successful completion of the program and licensure requirements will lead to a master’s degree and North Carolina Special Education (K-12) teacher certification.
A Flexible Program
Enjoy online evening courses with in-person and hands-on field experience designed to provide maximum flexibility for working professionals, including residency licensure teachers.
Through courses you will become knowledgeable about disability characteristics, Individual Education Plans, applied behavior analysis, assessment and evidence-based practices, and field experiences will provide practical hands-on teaching experience.
Learn from Experienced Faculty and Teachers
Our program will prepare you to be a highly effective special education teacher. All courses are taught by dedicated faculty with classroom teaching experience and extensive knowledge in this specialty field.
During the final semester, students participate in a full-time student teaching internship in a special education setting under the guidance of a mentor teacher and faculty supervisor.
Students can select from two concentrations: Special Education: General Curriculum or Special Education: Adapted Curriculum.
Special Education: General Curriculum
This program prepares special educators to teach individuals with high incidence disabilities including specific learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, and other health impairments in Kindergarten through grade 12.
Course content includes characteristics and needs of individuals with high incidence disabilities, assessment for data-based decision making, evidence-based assessment and instructional methods in literacy and math, and behavior intervention strategies to support all students.
Special Education: Adapted Curriculum
This program prepares special educators to teach learners with significant intellectual and multiple disabilities from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Course content includes systematic instructional methods such as task analysis and prompting systems, teaching skills for independence across settings of life, supporting meaningful access to grade-level academic content, and assessment and intervention to support learners with complex communication needs.
WCE brings longstanding partnerships with 12 school districts and 2,000+ teachers in SE North Carolina.
On-Campus Ed Lab
Future teachers gain experience working one-on-one with a child in supervised settings.
Enhance Your Creativity
WCE’s Curriculum Materials Center empowers students to push creative limits and explore new teaching methods.
Early Field Experience at SEA-Tech
Work one-on-one with a high school student in a supervised setting at Southeast Area Technical High School.
Pathway to Success
Watson graduates have a strong track record of securing jobs and are often highly rated by principals and other employers, with many recognized as leaders in their schools and districts.
Support Beyond Graduation
The Watson College continues to support new teachers through the First Years of Teaching Support Program, professional development opportunities and on-campus resource libraries. Even after you graduate, we’re here to help you achieve career success and make a meaningful impact on your students.
01
02
Sample Courses
Sample Courses
EDN 509
Education in a Multicultural Context
SED 501
Lifespan Development for Individuals with Disabilities
SED 511
Special Education K-12 Master of Arts in Teaching Internship
SED 512
Program Planning and Secondary Transition in Special Education
SED 513
Culturally Responsive Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
SED 515
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Technology
SED 516
Assessment in School-based Settings Practicum
SED 517
Single Case Research
SED 518
Beginning Special Educator Mentorship
General Curriculum
General Curriculum
SED 541
Foundations of Literacy
SED 542
Advanced Literacy
SED 543
Mathematics Instruction for Students with Disabilities
Adapted Curriculum
Adapted Curriculum
SED 531
Systemic Instruction for Learners with Multiple Disabilities
SED 532
Curriculum for Learners with Significant Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities
SED 533
Supporting Learners with Complex Communication Needs
Complete applications are reviewed for admission by the program as they are received.
All application and supporting documents must be received by the published deadline.
Applications received on or before the priority deadline will receive priority review. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed through the space available deadline if unfilled positions remain.
Distance Education - Fully Online - Mixture of asynchronous and synchronous in each class - instructional materials made available on the Internet and available 24 hours a day every day-not time-dependent slots. Synchronous - instruction made available on the web or internet in time-dependent slots.
Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)
Fall 2025:
Priority Consideration: March 1, 2025
Space Available Deadline: July 1, 2025
Transcripts
One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.
Test Scores
None Required
Recommendations
3 recommendations by individuals in relevant professional fields
Additional Requirements
Upload Supplemental Documents After Application Submission
Essay: Education Statement of Interest Essay Essay
TeachNC Reimbursement & Scholarship: TeachNC will cover up to $100 towards application and transcript fees associated with applying to UNCW Graduate School. Click the link below to learn more about the reimbursement and scholarship opportunity. LEARN MORE