Special Education, M.A.T.

Trinity Washington University’s Special Education master degree program in Washington DC prepares educators to meet the critical need for high demand certified special education teachers in local schools. Our Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) curriculum combines specialized coursework with hands-on classroom experience, qualifying graduates for DC teaching certification that’s reciprocal with most states.

Prepare to become a certified special education teacher, empowering learners with disabilities and exceptionalities in grades K-12.

Learn and practice the art of teaching in local schools to effectively work with special needs students in a range of special education settings.

Trinity’s Special Education Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program prepares you to meet D.C.’s certification requirements, which are reciprocal with most states. As an educator, you have the opportunity to initiate change by empowering students and helping them strengthen their families and communities through education.

In the Special Education MAT program, you’ll prepare for certification through specialized courses in special education and a core curriculum that combines the knowledge, skills, and experiences to help you meet the needs of all learners. In the final semester, each program includes a student teaching internship and an advanced seminar in teaching. The program can be completed on a full-time or part time basis except during the student teaching experience at the end of the course of study, which by its nature must be done full-time.

Trinity’s MAT programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator (CAEP) and approved by the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).

Dual Licensure: Inclusive Education

As an alternative to its special education program, Trinity offers the first and only program in the District of Columbia allowing students to earn licensure in their primary program area AND special education. This option requires candidates to take four courses in special education in addition to their course sequence in their primary program area.

At Trinity we believe that all educators should be prepared to work with students with disabilities. This program focuses on developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities to teach students with and without disabilities in inclusive settings.

Why Study Special Education in Washington DC at Trinity

Pursuing a Special Education master degree in Washington D.C. at Trinity offers unique advantages that enhance both your educational experience and professional prospects:

Direct Access to Diverse Learning Environments

Among colleges in D.C., Trinity Washington University provides special education students with unparalleled access to the region’s exceptionally diverse K-12 schools. Our program places graduate students in urban, suburban, and specialized learning environments throughout the DMV region, offering practical teaching experiences with students representing varied learning needs, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic circumstances—classroom diversity rarely accessible to future teachers training outside of colleges in D.C.

Policy-Informed Special Education Practice

Washington DC serves as the center of educational policy development in the United States, and colleges in D.C. benefit from this proximity. Trinity’s special education program stands out by incorporating insights from nearby federal education agencies, advocacy organizations, and policy institutes into its curriculum. Students examine how national special education initiatives like IDEA implementation shape classroom practices, gaining perspective on policy applications that educators outside D.C. colleges may lack.

Urban Education Leadership Preparation

The Washington D.C. metropolitan area faces significant teacher shortages, particularly in special education. Trinity prepares graduates to fill these high-need positions with specialized teaching strategies tailored for the unique D.C. student. Our curriculum addresses the specific challenges of delivering exceptional special education services in urban school environments, preparing graduates for immediate leadership roles in D.C.’s education system.

Inclusive Education Innovation

Washington DC schools serve as laboratories for innovative inclusive education practices. Unlike some colleges in D.C. with traditional special education programs, Trinity offers the District’s first dual licensure option that prepares educators for both general and special education certification. This pioneering approach reflects D.C. schools’ growing emphasis on inclusion and positions graduates at the forefront of educational advancement in the region.

Professional Certification Network

Trinity’s CAEP accreditation and OSSE approval distinguish our Washington D.C. special education program, ensuring graduates meet the highest professional standards. These credentials facilitate immediate employment in DC Public Schools, charter networks, and private institutions throughout the region. Our established relationships with local education agencies create streamlined pathways from classroom to career that leverage Trinity’s respected position among education colleges in D.C..