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With your bachelor’s degree, our Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) offers two pathways to a new career in teaching. You'll gain the knowledge, skills, and certification necessary to effectively teach students in Iowa.
- The M.A.T. in Special Education was created to help meet the growing demand for special education teachers throughout the state. This two year program provides an opportunity for career changers and non-certified special education staff to earn initial certification in K-12 special education alongside your master's degree.
- The M.A.T. in Secondary Education provides an opportunity for career changers to transition into the field of education as a middle school or high school teacher. In just two years, you’ll earn initial Iowa teaching licensure in grades 5-12 content areas alongside your master s degree.
Applications due August 26, 2026, for Term 1 Start Date!
Not ready to start in August? Next term starts January 11, 2027!
Make a greater impact in the classroom with an affordable Master of Education (M.Ed.).
- The M.Ed. Teacher Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction program is designed for working teachers seeking to advance their career in the classroom. In less than two years, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to take the next step in academia, in Iowa and beyond.
- The M.Ed. Special Education program helps teaching professionals advance their skills alongside their current career. In this two year program, you'll combine science, theory, and hands-on field and classroom experience while building your professional network.
At BVU, we’re known for helping create top-notch educators. As an online graduate student, you’ll be supported by expert faculty and staff. From start to finish, your student success specialist, advisor, and financial specialist are here to help you chart your academic journey, plan your class schedule, and make sure your coursework is on track with your career goals.
Applications due March 11, 2026, for Term 4 Start Date!
Not ready to start in March? Next term starts May 11, 2026!
Term Start Dates
| August | March |
| October | May |
| January | July |
Advance your skills without pausing your life.
As a leader in online education for more than 15 years, our graduate programs are designed to align with your needs. With multiple starts per year, our 7.5-week terms with one virtual night class per week make it easy to focus on your coursework alongside your career.
M.A.T. Content Areas & Concentrations
The M.A.T. in Special Education offers 2 concentrations in Behavior Disorder/Learning Disabilities and Intellectual Disabilities.
The M.A.T. in Secondary Education offers 7 areas of study, including English, History, Science, Mathematics, Business, Foreign Language and Physical Education.
M.Ed. Content Areas & Concentrations
The M.Ed. Teacher Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction offers 4 tracks in Effective Teaching and Instructional Leadership, Teaching English as a Second Language, Talented and Gifted Education, and AI in Education.
The MEd in Special Education provides 4 tracks for Mild to Moderate Disabilities, Behavioral Disorder/Learning Disabilities, Cognitive/ Intellectual Disabilities, and a Comprehensive track that includes all endorsements.
We need great teachers, and our M.A.T. program is a great pathway to help people who have completed their undergraduate degree and now want to teach. BVU has opened up this service to help schools and aspiring teachers and consider it a privilege to help shape our future in education through this and our M.Ed. graduate programs
Dr. Lucas DeWitt , Program Director, Master of Arts in Teaching & Master of Education Programs