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Dec 30, 2025
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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Exceptional Student Education (ESOL and Reading Endorsements), M.A.T.
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 Return to: Graduate Majors (A-Z)
This Major shares core requirements with the Exceptional Student Education, M.A.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Exceptional Student Education is a graduate major in Special Education for individuals teaching with temporary certification and/or individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in an area other than Special Education. The major leads to certification in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and endorsements in Reading and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Students can be admitted to the major during any semester throughout the year; however, the Special Education core course sequence begins in the summer. Students in the M.A.T. benefit from an integrated curriculum taught in a sequenced core of ESE classes; mentors who are master teachers within the district that provide one-on-one mentoring for each major participant; and accelerated delivery of course content which allows for completion of the degree in one summer, two academic semesters and a May intersession. All students are required to conduct action research in their classrooms, investigating how they can more effectively use research-based interventions. This requires that students link theory and practice and encourages an inquiry approach to teaching.
*Students seeking to graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program with embedded Reading and ESOL endorsements must attain passing scores on all portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE). Students who graduate prior to attaining passing scores on all portions of the FTCE will not receive the state-approved teacher preparation program with respective endorsements statement on their official transcript.
Accreditation:
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Admission Information
Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below. -
A letter of application that addresses why the candidate desires to pursue a master’s degree in special education. -
At least one letter of recommendation from a person who has observed the candidate teach and/or work with children and youth. Curriculum Requirements
Total Minimum Hours: 36 Credit hours - Shared Core Requirements – 6 Credit Hours
- Additional Required Courses – 21 Credit Hours
- ESOL Required Courses - 6 Credit Hours
- Internship Courses - 3 Credit Hours
Please be advised that program and/or course requirements are subject to change, per state legislative mandates, Florida State Department of Education program approval standards, and accreditation criteria. Shared Core Requirements: (6 Credit Hours Minimum)
Additional Required Courses (21 Credit Hours Minimum)
Internship (3 Credit Hours)
An action research project is required of all students in their final semester of the program and is completed while enrolled in Internship. Comprehensive Exam
The action research project completed while enrolled in Internship is required to fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement. Tests and Examinations
- All students must pass the following examinations*:
- Florida Teacher Certification Professional Education Test – must be passed prior to graduation.
- Florida Teacher Certification ESE Subject Area Test – must be passed prior to graduation.
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*Students seeking to graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program with embedded Reading and ESOL endorsements must attain passing scores on all portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE). Students who graduate prior to attaining passing scores on all portions of the FTCE will not receive the state-approved teacher preparation program with respective endorsements statement on their official transcript. - Practicum Requirements: All students are required to register for and complete 3 total hours of practicum (listed above under core requirements). Students who are employed as an ESE-teacher, or as teaching assistant/paraprofessional may complete the practicum in the classroom where they are employed. Students who are not employed as a teacher or teaching assistant/paraprofessional will be placed in a classroom practicum setting with a mentor teacher in the local school district.
- Internship Requirements: All students are required to complete a full-time semester long internship as a special education teacher or paraprofessional in a PK-12 classroom setting. The internship can be a supervised paid internship which an employed teacher can complete in his/her own classroom. If a student is not employed as a special education teacher or paraprofessional, he/she must complete the internship (non-paid) in a qualified supervising teacher’s classroom.
- Please be advised that program and/or course requirements are subject to change, per State legislative mandates, Florida State Department of Education program approval standards, and accreditation criteria.
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Return to: Graduate Majors (A-Z)
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