Elementary Education, Alternative Certification (MAT)

Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Elementary Education, Alternative Route to Certification

Unit: College of Education and Human Development
Department: Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education
Program Webpage
Academic Plan Code(s): EREDMAT

Program Information

The MAT in Early Elementary Education enables graduate students to earn their initial teaching certificate for grades P-5 in Kentucky. Candidates learn to teach through instruction in pedagogy, child development, special education, technology, and diversity. The Early Elementary Education program emphasizes meeting the needs of the individual learner using best instructional practices in a standards-based environment.

The Alternative Certification program is designed to assist local school districts in meeting the demand for qualified teachers. The program provides candidates with an opportunity to pursue initial teacher certification while working as a full-time teacher on a temporary provisional license. Employment is not required for initial acceptance to the 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 (MAT) degree.

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 an application to the MAT program should contact the MAT admissions counselor (teacher@louisville.edu) prior to applying for admission. Admission is competitive.

Candidates who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program:

1. Application to Graduate School. This should be completed three to four weeks prior to the application deadline.
2. Bachelor's Degree from Accredited College or University with major in content area and a minimum 2.75 Grade Point Average (official transcripts required)
3. Prerequisite Course Requirements
4. Grade of C of higher in ENGL 102 (or equivalent)
5. Oral Communication course
6. TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo
7. Professional Writing Requirements
8. Three Letters of Recommendation
9. Acceptable interview

Program Requirements

Notes:
a. A graduate level Special Topics course (EDTP 597) may be offered as a replacement for two prerequisite courses - MATH 151 and MATH 152.

b. To maintain your Temporary Provisional Certificate, you MUST be enrolled in Alternative certification coursework.

Midpoint Assessment: Completion of all courses listed above; satisfactory dispositions assessment; 3.0 cumulative GPA in course work above with no lower than a “C” in each course – and no more than a total of two “C’s”; all pre-requisites met; satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance or better on all rubrics.

Degree Assessment: All program course work with 3.0 cumulative GPA (and no more than a total of two "C's" on degree courses); satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance or better on all rubrics.

Degree Candidacy: If not enrolled during the semester in which you are graduating, you will need to register for a degree candidacy as outlined in the Graduate Catalog.

Certification Assessment: Satisfactory dispositions assessment; passing scores on PRAXIS content and PLT exams; completion of degree 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/ for current requirements.

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Elementary Education (EREDMAT) prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure.  If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree. 

More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website: 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: louisville.edu/online/About-Us (please scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the licensing disclosures tab).