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Master of Arts in Teaching – MAT

Department of Teaching, Learning & Educational Leadership

College of Education & Applied Human Sciences

Master of Arts in Teaching – MAT

Department of Teaching, Learning & Educational Leadership

College of Education & Applied Human Sciences

Online

Program

34 - 52 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Online Tuition Rate

$541 Per Credit Hour

Free Books

for All Students

Leverage Your Non-Teaching Bachelor’s Degree to Begin a Rewarding Teaching Career

The master of arts in teaching is a graduate degree program for individuals who already hold a non-teaching bachelor’s degree and are interested in becoming a teacher.

Educators with outside work experience bring a unique perspective to their classrooms, helping to enrich the student experience. Our flexible online MAT program combines teacher licensure preparation and the coursework needed for a master’s degree, allowing you to advance your education and start an exciting new chapter in your career.

NOTE: If you will be teaching outside Kentucky, please consult with your state’s licensing agency to determine whether our program will meet your state’s licensure requirements.

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Career Outlook

Overall employment of kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school teachers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029.

Growth in the state of Kentucky is expected to be faster due to a high number of teacher retirements.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job Titles Include:

  • Preschool Teachers
  • Kindergarten Teachers
  • Elementary Teachers
  • Middle Grades Teachers
  • Secondary and P-12 Teachers
  • Special Education Teachers (LBD and MSD)
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teachers

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • EPSB-approved
  • FREE transcript evaluation service to learn what concentrations you are qualified to pursue in the MAT program
  • Assignments and action research that build critical thinking skills
  • Quality courses from respected faculty who teach the same classes online and on-campus
  • Core curriculum focused on training teachers as leaders while gaining expertise in a selected area
  • Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
  • Free online career services assistance
  • Dynamic, supportive learning environment
  • Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees

Degree Concentrations

Graduate education programs begin at 41 credit hours, but can be longer depending on the program and options selected.

Elementary education is a 47-hour program designed for individuals who already hold a non-teaching bachelor’s degree and are interested in becoming an elementary teacher. All coursework is 100% online to allow students greater flexibility in their studies. Most students complete the program in 5-6 semesters. Clinical education degree program requiring some weekly availability for clinical, school-based experiences during Fall and Spring semesters.

Career options include: Elementary education teacher, specialist or coach (P-12), teacher leader educator

Middle Grades education is a 44-hour program designed for individuals who already hold a non-teaching bachelor’s degree and are interested in becoming a middle grades teacher. The MAT middle grades concentration is designed for students who hold a prior degree in English/communications, mathematics, sciences, or social studies or in a related area. Those seeking middle grades certification may choose one OR two content areas. MAT candidates must have a minimum of 24 hours of content coursework (undergraduate/graduate) in each of the chosen content area(s) before completion of the program.

Career options include: Middle grades education teacher, specialist or coach (P-12), teacher leader educator

Secondary education is a 44-hour program designed for individuals who already hold a non-teaching bachelor’s degree and are interested in becoming a teacher in one of several discipline specific areas.

EKU’s online MAT degree allows students to maximize their strengths, previous education and experience by offering multiple program tracks:

  • Certification in Grades P-12: Art, French, Health Education, Music, Physical Education, Physical Education and Health – Dual Certification, School Health, Spanish
  • Certification in Grades 5-12: Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Engineering and Technology, Family and Consumer Science, Industrial Technology
  • Certification in Grades 8-12: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, English, Mathematics, Physics, Social Science

Career options include: Teacher in elementary, middle or high schools; specialist or coach (P-12); teacher leader educator.

The MAT with a concentration in IECE is a 44 – 46 credit hour program of study to prepare professionals to work in public school (preschool and kindergarten), Head Start, and private settings. The IECE teaching certification also prepares professionals to work as developmental interventionists for children age birth to 3 and their families.

Career options include: Developmental Interventionist (First Steps), public preschool teacher; Kindergarten teacher, Kentucky Department of Education Special Education services; Kentucky’s Office for Early Childhood, administrators of early childhood programs.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with DHH or DHH with Sign Proficiency is a 52 credit hour program of study to prepare educators to meet the individual linguistic, educational, cognitive, and social needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing across a variety of educational settings. Courses in ASL 101 and 102 must be completed prior to or before completion of the program. Candidates with proficient ASL skills as evidenced by successful completion of the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) test are eligible for the DHH with Sign Proficiency option which allows one to teach ASL as a world language in schools.

Career options include: Special education teacher or deaf education teacher in elementary, middle or high schools; preschool and developmental interventionist.

Kentucky’s Rank System

Teachers in Kentucky are held to a three-tiered rank system. By completing additional education programs, teachers are able to advance their rank, leading to increased salary and promotion potential.

After completing a bachelor’s degree and earning a provisional teaching certificate, educators enter the field with Rank III eligibility

By completing a 30-hour master’s degree, either to enhance competency in the initial teaching area or to add certification in a new area, educators are eligible to advance to Rank II.

Educators choosing to complete 30 hours above their Rank II are eligible to advance to Rank I. It is highly recommended that these 30 hours be taken as part of a second master’s program as Rank is not typically recognized outside of Kentucky. Rank I is the highest level attainable and typically carries the highest salary and promotion potential.

The Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) is responsible for conferring rank and rank changes. EKU prepares educators with the required coursework and experience but does not award initial rank or changes to rank.

Curriculum & Enrollment

EKU is dedicated to preparing the highest quality educators and related professionals for Kentucky and beyond. EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as content, effective pedagogical skills, and dispositions that foster life-long growth and learning.

Option 6 Active Kentucky Teachers (verified through COEAHS), are eligible for the discounted educator tuition of $395 per credit hour. Please talk to an enrollment advisor for additional information and verification process details.

A minimum of 41-52 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AAugust 1August
Fall BOctober 1October
Spring ADecember 1January
Spring BMarch 1March

All coursework in the MAT professional core is 100% online.  Most concentration option coursework is also 100% online or offered in hybrid format to limit evening coursework.  At most, MAT students in secondary and P-12 concentrations may have up to three courses that are not 100% online.  All coursework for elementary and IECE are 100% online.  Candidates are required to complete clinical hours at an assigned public school during school hours.

Candidates seeking admission to an initial licensure MAT program must complete the following:

  • Submit an online application to the Graduate School indicating a bachelor’s degree including all official transcripts from accredited colleges attended except Eastern Kentucky University.
  • Provide evidence of the following prior to being accepted into the program:  A bachelor’s or master’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale OR a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework. (EPSB regulation 16 KAR 5:020 requires a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework.)
  • Must have an undergraduate Major, Minor or a minimum of 24 hours of the content in the field in which certification is being sought for middle grades and secondary/p-12 content areas. (this does not apply to other areas such as elementary).
  • Middle grades, secondary, and P-12 mentioned above require a passing score on the praxis for their selected certification area [not the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) –only the content exam] either before entering the MAT program or within the first semester of the MAT program.

BE SURE to request that your Praxis  Content/certification scores be sent to EKU -CODE 1200.

Submit your documents to the Alternative Certification Specialist by email to  certification.alternative_routes@EKU.EDU:

  • A professional resume
  • An autobiography documenting relevant life/work/educational experience
  • Three letters of reference
  • Complete two written assignments, given by the department, that assess critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration.
  • ESSAY #1  – In an essay (3-4 pages each) describe a situation (professional, educational or other) in which you exhibited the following qualities: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration
  • ESSAY #2 – In an essay (3-4 pages), describe how you will practice critical thinking, creativity, positive communication and collaboration in your future teaching career.
  • Complete two (2) background checks:
    Verified Credentials Background check –Instructions on this webpage –Verified Credentials
    Child Abuse or Neglect (CAN) Check –Instructions found here.
  • Complete an interview with the Master of Arts in Teaching admission committee
  • Candidates must complete and sign a  Candidate Statement of Commitment Regarding Dispositions form. (Will be completed during the admission interview.)
  • Candidates must complete and sign a “Personal and Professional Fitness Declaration” form. This process includes a review of the Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Personnel established in 16 KAR1:020. (Will be completed during the admission interview.)

NOTE: Based upon applicant disclosure, an interview by the Professional Education Admission Committee may be required.

For advising questions, please contact:
Dr. Julie Rutland, MAT Program Coordinator
julie.rutland@eku.edu or 859-622-1043

In addition, candidates seeking Option 6 Alternative Route contact:
Ms. Karen Dickens, Alternative Certification Specialist
Bert Combs 425521
Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475
certification.alternative_routes@eku.edu

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Education and Applied Human Sciences is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to our college enrollment advisor today.

John Hepner

Enrollment Advisor

859-622-8610
John.Hepner@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment
CEAHS Advising Information for Current Students

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

EKU student Whitney Cox poses in white on a white background with her family

Whitney Cox

EKU Graduate, Elementary Education, Middle Grades, School Leadership
The degrees that I have been able to earn at EKU has helped me grow as an educator and future leader. I feel prepared and confident in my ability due to the instruction provided by the professors at EKU.
EKU student Tina G. Cornelius

Tina G. Cornelius

EKU MAEd School Librarian – Teacher Leader Student
I have been a middle school teacher for 19 years. I plan to finish my last 8 years in education as a librarian. I am so proud to have three degrees from EKU and the first person in my family to go to college. I came from a small eastern Kentucky town and I have my amazing career and degrees to be proud of. I am excited to work with kids and other teachers as a media specialist as I finish my practicum and begin my new path.
EKU graduate Taylor Newton poses in her cap and gown on the steps of Keen Johnson.

Taylor Newton

EKU MAEd School Librarian Student
I had never taken online courses, even during my undergraduate time at EKU. I was nervous to transition to this style of learning. However, I was surprised to find all of the advantages to being a part of an online program! I am able to fit the coursework into my weekly schedule and be an active, engaged student!

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Department of Teaching, Learning & Educational Leadership

Combs Building
Room 427

859-622-2154
tlel@eku.edu

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