Secondary Education - Alternative Certification 8-12 (MAT)
Master of Arts in Alternative Route to 8-12 Certification in Secondary Education
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Middle and Secondary Education
Program Website
Academic Plan Code(s): By subject area, see below.
Program Information
The Alternative Certification program is designed to assist the local school districts in meeting the demand for qualified teachers in high need content areas. The program provides candidates with an opportunity to pursue initial teacher certification while working as a full-time teacher on a temporary provisional certificate.
Employment is not required for initial acceptance to this program. However, candidates must be employed in a Kentucky-accredited school by the start of the school year in order to continue in the program. This program is a two-year, 30 credit hour program resulting in initial teacher certification and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree.
The Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Secondary Education leads to certification in:
- Biology (SE_ _MATBIO)
- Chemistry (SE_ _MATCHE)
- Earth & Space Science (SE_ _MATESS)
- English (SE_ _MATENG)
- Mathematics (SE_ _MATMAT)
- Physics (SE_ _MATPHY)
- Social Studies Education (grades 8-12) (SE_ _MATSST)
- Business Education (grades 5-12) (SE_ _MATBUE)
- World Language Education (Spanish and French, grades P-12) (SE_ _MATSPA and SE_ _MATFRE)
Admission Requirements
Candidates who meet the following criteria may be eligible to apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching, Alternative Certification program. Candidates considering application to the MAT program should contact the Education Advising and Student Services office (teacher@louisville.edu) prior to applying for admission. Admission is competitive. Candidates who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program.
- Complete graduate application. This should be completed three to four weeks prior to the application deadline.
- Minimum Test Scores as required by EPSB
Please note: when submitting test scores through ETS, use the general University of Louisville code, 1838. - Passing scores on Praxis II Content Exam(s)
- Bachelor's Degree in content area from Accredited College or University with a Minimum 2.75 Grade Point Average (official transcripts required)
- Prerequisite Course Requirements – Applicants may apply to the program with up to six credit hours of content remaining to complete.
- C or better in ENGL 102 (or equivalent)
- C or better in oral communication course
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo
- Professional Statement
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Experience working with diverse groups of children/adolescents
- Signed Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement/Statement of Understanding of Admissions Guidelines
- Acceptable interview
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDTP 631 | Integrated Teaching and Learning I | 3 |
| EDTP 632 | Integrated Teaching and Learning II | 3 |
| Choose one methods course from the following: | 3 | |
| High School English Methods | ||
| High School Mathematics Methods | ||
| High School Science Methods | ||
| High School Social Studies Methods | ||
| Business/Marketing Methods, 5-12 | ||
| World Language Methods, P-12 | ||
| EDTP 633 | Integrated Teaching and Learning III | 3 |
| EDTP 627 | Practicum for Alternative Certification Program (two semesters) | 3 |
| Mid-Point Assessment 1 | ||
| EDTP 503 | Developing Cross-Cultural Competence: Teaching Students from Diverse Backgrounds | 3 |
| Choose the technology course appropriate for your content certification area: | 3 | |
| Digital Citizenship: Technology and Teaching | ||
| Technology Applications for Mathematics Teaching | ||
| Technology Applications for Science Teachers | ||
| EDTP 620 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDTP 678 Supporting the Second Year Alternative Certification Teacher I | 1-3 | |
| EDTP 679 Supporting the Second Year Alternative Certification Teacher II | 1-3 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 30 | |
Certification Assessment: Satisfactory dispositions assessment; satisfactory certification teacher performance assessment (TPA); passing score on 8-12 PLT Praxis exam; must pass KTIP.
Degree Assessment: Satisfactory dispositions assessment; all program coursework with 3.0 cumulative GPA (and no more than a total of two grades of C (six (6) credit hours) in degree courses); satisfactory Alternative Certification degree teacher performance assessment (TPA).
Degree Candidacy: Students who are not enrolled during the semester in which they are graduating must register for degree candidacy as outlined in the Graduate Catalog, under the section called academic policies and requirements.
Praxis Disclaimer: Teacher certification requirements are subject to change. Before registering for the test(s), please refer to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) website at epsb.ky.gov/ or ets.org/praxis/ky for current requirements.
| 1 | Completion of all courses listed above; satisfactory dispositions assessment; no lower than 2.0 GPA in content methods class(es); 2.0 or higher GPA in Practicum for Alternative Certification; 2.50 cumulative GPA in content course requirements; passing scores on 8-12 PLT Praxis exam; satisfactory mid-point teacher performance assessment (TPA); positive recommendation from Middle/Secondary Program Committee. |
More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website: https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).
For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: http://louisville.edu/online/About-Us (please scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the licensing disclosures tab).
