Elementary Education, Alternative Certification (MAT)
Application Requirements
Candidates considering an application to the MAT program should contact the MAT pre-admissions counselor (teacher@louisville.edu) prior to applying for admission. A transcript evaluation must be completed before a candidate can be considered for admission.
- Completed UofL graduate application submitted at https://apply.graduate.louisville.edu/apply/
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution to the UofL Graduate School. Transcripts issued to the candidate, and/or uploaded by the candidate, are considered unofficial.
- International transcripts must be evaluated per UofL Graduate School requirements: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international/evaluation
- Personal statement – Candidates should upload two essays in response to the prompts below. The essays should be included in one document. Each essay should be double-spaced (Times New Roman 12 point font) with no more than three pages per essay.
- Essay 1: In consideration of the characteristics of an effective teacher, the ability to collaborate, and to support student collaboration in the classroom, is essential. Please self-evaluate this important skill and indicate whether you consider this as a strength or weakness. If you consider it as a weakness, please explain how you might further develop this skill. Also, please explain how you might encourage collaboration in your future classroom.
- Essay 2: In what ways have your life experiences shaped the way you learn, and how you interact with others with different life experiences? Additionally, explain how you would support the ideal of "respect for all learners" in your future classroom.
- Current resume
- Recommendations – Three (3) recommendations are required. Requests are automatically sent to the recommenders’ emails once the graduate application is submitted. Adequate time should be given for recommenders to respond to the request by the application deadline. Candidates may log into their admission portal to check the status of the recommendations.
- Work with Children and/or Adolescents Recommendation - This recommendation should be completed by an individual who has observed the candidate’s work/engagement with children and/or adolescents. The recommender should address the candidate’s ability to relate to and work with children/adolescents, as well as his/her ability to organize, lead and direct activities. The faculty screening committee wants to see evidence that candidates have engaged with the age group he/she intends to teach, and that a professional (such as a teacher or school administrator, scout leader, community organization director, etc.) confirms the candidate’s potential for success in the teacher education program.
- Professional/Community Recommendation - This recommendation should be completed by an individual who can address the candidate’s character and professional qualities (punctuality, communication, leadership, work ethic, etc.). Pastors, P-12 teachers, supervisors/employers, and community organization directors are a few examples of appropriate recommenders.
- Faculty Recommendation - This recommendation should be completed by a faculty member at the college level. The faculty member should address the candidate’s academic skills and potential to succeed in a graduate program including: critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. College graduates who have been away from higher education more than five years may have difficulty obtaining a faculty recommendation. Candidates who will not be enrolling in prerequisite courses prior to the MAT program, may choose to submit a Professional/Community Recommendation instead. Two Professional/Community Recommendations would then be required.
- Signed documents included in the application. You will be asked to review and sign the Statement of Understanding of Admissions Guidelines and the Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement.
International Applicants:
- International applicants must submit additional application items, and meet additional admission requirements. Information on the international application and admission requirements can be found here: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international
Admission Requirements
- Complete application (including all checklist items above and payment submitted).
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Candidates enrolled in the final semester of their bachelor’s degree can be reviewed for provisional admission - pending a final, degree transcript.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75. Candidates with a GPA lower than 2.75 should consult with the pre-admissions counselor to discuss state certification requirements and potential options.
- Prerequisite course requirements. Candidates must have a transcript evaluation completed by the pre-admissions counselor (teacher@louisville.edu) prior to applying for admission. The following courses are required: Written Communication, Oral Communication, World or American History, Biological Science, Physical Science, and Science Lab. EDTP 599 (Music, Art & Motion in P-5), as well as a specific Math course (or courses) for Elementary teachers, are required but may be incorporated into the graduate program.
- Interview with the admissions screening committee. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their qualifications for admission and should project a professional image. Candidates are encouraged to prepare for the interview by reflecting on the domains in the professional dispositions rubric.
Admission is competitive. Meeting the GPA minimum and all other admission requirements does not guarantee that prospective students will be accepted into the program.
Program admission dates: Summer or Spring semester only
(Priority) Application Deadlines: April 15 for Summer and October 15 for Spring
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDTP 631 | Integrated Teaching and Learning I | 3 |
| EDTP 632 | Integrated Teaching and Learning II | 3 |
| EDTP 633 | Integrated Teaching and Learning III | 3 |
| EDTP 627 | Practicum for Alternative Certification Program (Fall Semester) | 1.5 |
| EDTP 627 | Practicum for Alternative Certification Program (Spring Semester) | 1.5 |
| EDTP 656 | Elementary Content Methods: Language Arts & Social Studies | 3 |
| Mid-Point Assessment | ||
| EDTP 650 | Elementary Content Methods: Mathematics and Science | 3 |
| EDTP 503 | Developing Pedagogical Competence | 3 |
| EDSP 518 | Structured Literacy for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| EDTP 678 | Supporting the Second Year Alternative Certification Teacher I | 1.5 |
| EDTP 599 | Music, Art, and Motion in P-5 (or Graduate level elective) | 3 |
| EDTP 679 | Supporting the Second Year Alternative Certification Teacher II | 1.5 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 30 | |
Notes:
- 1
Students can choose to substitute undergraduate courses, but undergraduate courses cannot be used for graduate credit or toward the graduate degree. If neither EDTP 597 nor EDTP 599 are completed, then the candidate must complete a graduate level elective course. A minimum of 30 graduate credit hours is required for the degree.
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: Successful completion of all first year courses; 3.0 cumulative GPA with no grade lower than “C” in each course (“C-“ does not count); all prerequisites met; satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance on all rubrics.
Exit Assessment: All program course work with 3.0 cumulative GPA - and no more than a total of two “C’s; satisfactory dispositions assessment; satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance on all rubrics.
Certification Assessment: Successful completion of degree and certification course work and all requirements as above. Passing PRAXIS content and PLT exam scores. Teacher certification requirements are subject to change. Before registering for exams, please check for current requirements at praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/Kentucky-tests.html.
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.
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 https://goteachky.com/resources/certification/initial-certification/ 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: https://louisville.edu/about/departments/academic-planning-accountability/disclosures/professional-licensure.
For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: https://louisville.edu/online/About-Us?tab=disclosures.
