Special Education

Our program prepares you to become an effective teacher with an in-depth knowledge base of your field and appropriate teaching strategies for the developmental level of your students, guided by our faculty who continually challenge students to integrate theory with practice.

Converse’s teacher preparation programs comprise a wide diversity of field and clinical experiences in public schools.

More Reasons to Choose Converse

Veteran Faculty: Converse’s faculty have extensive experience in public education as teachers, administrators, or special consultants. They have been active as researchers, clinicians, and leaders in the field of education. Our faculty maintain close contacts with surrounding school districts, as well as participating on various boards and other forms of service to the field through local, state, and national affiliations.

Quality Education: Our curriculum is aligned with professional standards and meets all the requirements for national approvals by the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP), approved by the South Carolina Department of Education. You will be qualified for certification reciprocity with many other states.

Community Partnerships: Our program gives you ample opportunities to work with local public schools and to interact with the local community.

Convenience: Flexibility is essential for students who manage busy work schedules and personal commitments.  Most required courses are conducted after 4 p.m., accommodating students’ busy schedules. We work with students one-on-one to accommodate their specific needs, allowing them to balance their work life, personal life and school.

Degree Prestige and Value: Since 1890, Converse has provided students with education rooted in the liberal arts. Converse graduates are principled, professional, and productive citizens capable of creative thinking and problem-solving.

Applicants must have the following:

• Graduation from an accredited college;
• Overall GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for full admission;
• A major undergraduate program appropriate for the requested teaching area;
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Admissions will require a competitive score on the Miller Analogies Test

Visit the graduate catalog for detailed admission requirements.

For consideration of admission, the applicant should have the following credentials:

• A completed online application, including the $40 application fee
• Official degree-granting undergraduate transcript and graduate transcripts from all colleges attended.
• A competitive score on the Miller Analogies Test
• Two letters of recommendation
• A personal statement – Converse’s founder, Dexter Edgar Converse, held the ideal that Converse students “may be enabled to see clearly, decide wisely, and to act justly.” Please write a personal statement, approximately 250-300 words in length, on how your personal goals as an educator tie with the Converse concept of The “Ideal” Educator. In keeping with the Honor Tradition at Converse, your essay must be entirely your own work. Please be specific on how Converse can help you become the “Ideal” Educator, taking special care to organize your essay clearly and proofread your work. The personal statement should be submitted as a part of the application or emailed to the Office of Graduate Admission.

Deadlines for Completed Application and Materials

• July 15 (For Fall Admission)
• December 15 (For Spring Admission)

*Converse Graduate Admission admits applicants on a rolling basis upon review of completed materials

The MAT in Special Education is an on-campus program. Our instruction in special education, elementary education, and psychology will provide you with a strong background for working with students with learning or intellectual disabilities in grades PK-12. We explore the components that make this mission-driven career path and prepare you to be an advocate for your students both in and outside of the classroom.

The MAT degrees in Intellectual Disabilities and Learning Disabilities are designed to:

• Provide a thorough course of study in human growth and development;
• Develop skills in appropriate pedagogy and classroom management;
• Promote a broad knowledge of the history, theory, and professional practices that are related to students with intellectual disabilities.
• Demonstrate computer proficiency in instructional technology including the knowledge of skills, strategies, software and hardware to be used in classroom management and computer-assisted instruction
• Help you approach the Praxis subject assessments with confidence; in the past five years Converse students consistently scored high on the Praxis, averaging 25+ points above the required passing score.

MAT in Special Education: Intellectual Disabilities

Our program prepares you for certification in the area of Intellectual Disabilities and Elementary Education. Our instruction in special education, elementary education, and psychology is designed to give you a strong background for working with students with intellectual disabilities. This unique blend of instruction will strengthen your collaboration skills so you can work with parents and school administrators to develop an Individual Education Program (IEP) to meet the specific needs of your students.

Clinical experiences give you the opportunity to observe and practice your skills with students with intellectual disabilities. Directed student teaching is arranged in area public schools and a Converse faculty member will follow your progress.

Earning multiple certifications is possible by completing additional courses and obtaining passing scores on the Praxis subject assessments in those specific licensure areas.

MAT in Special Education: Learning Disabilities

The MAT in Special Education: Learning Disabilities will certify you in the areas of Learning Disabilities and Elementary Education. Instruction in special education, elementary education, and psychology is designed to give the prospective teacher a strong background for working with students with learning disabilities, including hyperactivity or learning-based issues, in grades PK-12. Students complete directed student teaching in local public schools with the support of Converse faculty.

Additional Program Details

Visit the graduate catalog for current course descriptions

View benchmark worksheets for an outline of academic requirements for this program

See comprehensive graduate tuition and fees here.*

Learn about Financial Aid opportunities.

*Tuition and fees subject to change