Initial Teacher Certification - Elementary Education (MAT)
Get an in-depth look at Elementary Education (MAT)
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The CEHD prepares future teachers who are committed to helping every student learn. The P-5 MAT program emphasizes meeting the needs of the individual learner through understanding and using the best instructional practices in a standards-based environment. Through coursework and clinical field experiences, you will become a critical thinker who is prepared to meet the demands of 21st century elementary schools.
Graduates of the program are eligible to earn Kentucky certification for teaching grades P-5.
View the general admission requirements and degree requirements for Elementary Education (MAT) here
M.A.T in Elementary Education
Overview
Application Deadline (Fall Admission): June 1
The CEHD prepares future teachers who are committed to helping every student learn. The P-5 MAT program emphasizes meeting the needs of the individual learner through understanding and using the best instructional practices in a standards-based environment. Through coursework and clinical field experiences, you will become a critical thinker who is prepared to meet the demands of 21st century elementary schools.
Graduates of the program are eligible to earn Kentucky certification for teaching grades P-5.
Teacher Candidate Expectation
Teacher education candidates should visit the Educator Preparation Program page and review the expectations listed under the "Review These Teaching Profession Expectations" section.
Admission Criteria
Please visit the Educator Preparation Program page and read items listed under "Admission Requirement Details" for more in-depth information regarding admission requirements for this program.
Careers
The Master of Arts in Elementary enables graduates to earn P-5 Kentucky teaching certification.
Financial Aid
In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University of Louisville's Financial Aid office, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid.
Other financial aid opportunities available include student employment opportunities.
Contact
Individuals considering application to the MAT program should contact the MAT admissions counselor (teacher@louisville.edu) BEFORE applying to the teacher education program.
Elementary Education Faculty
Overview
Application Deadline (Spring Admission): October 15
Application Deadline (Summer Admission): April 15
Have you always wanted to be a teacher? Are you looking for a new or second career in teaching? If so, the Alternative Certification program could be the next career path for you!
The desire to make a difference in the lives of children and communities is the most important factor in considering the teaching profession. Candidates for teacher education should be willing to challenge old assumptions, explore new approaches to learning, and work energetically toward a rewarding career.
The MAT Alternative Certification program offers the following certification options:
- Elementary (K-5)
- Middle Grades (5-9): Language Arts, Science, Math or Social Studies
- Secondary (8-12): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Mathematics, Physics, and Social Studies
- World Language (P-12): Spanish or French
MAT Program Benefits
MAT Program Benefits
- CAEP accredited program. For information on program accreditation click here.
- Student support services in advising, admission and certification
- First-year students work as a cohort through University coursework
- Urban mission with focus on social justice and equity
- Dedicated faculty researchers and practitioners
- Simultaneous degree and certification
- Partnership with local school districts
- Scholarship opportunities
- Testing support
Curriculum
For prerequisite course requirements, please visit the Educator Preparation Program to and view the "Prerequisite Course Requirements for Middle Grades, Secondary, and World Language" tab. Otherwise view the UofL Course Catalog for Degree Requirements
Teacher Candidate Expectation
Teacher education candidates should visit the Educator Preparation Program page and review the expectations listed under the "Review These Teaching Profession Expectations" section.
Admission Criteria
Please visit the Educator Preparation Program page and read items listed under "Admission Requirement Details" for more in-depth information regarding admission requirements for this program.
Financial Aid
In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University of Louisville's Financial Aid office, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid.
Other financial aid opportunities available include student employment opportunities.
TEACH Grant
Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides up to $4,000 per year to those who intend to teach in a public or private school that serves students from low-income families. Teachers must be certified in a high-need field. (Amount is pro-rated based on part-time or full-time status up to a maximum of $8,000 for graduate students.)
Applicants must complete the FAFSA (although financial need is not required) and be admitted to a teacher certification program. Applicants must score above the 75th percentile on a college admission test or maintain a cumulative gpa of 3.25 for eligibility.
Recipients must teach for a minimum of four years within eight calendar years of completing the teacher certification program. Those who fail to complete the service obligation must re-pay the loan, with interest charged form the first date of disbursement.
Contact
Contact Us
Candidates considering application to the MAT program should contact the MAT admissions counselor (teacher@louisville.edu) BEFORE applying to the teacher education program.
For further information please contact stefanie.wootenburnett@louisville.edu
Department Contact
Stefanie Wooten-Burnett
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-8053
Department email: midscnd@louisville.edu
Overview
Application Deadline: April 15
Have you always wanted to be a teacher? Are you looking for a new or second career in teaching? If so, the Louisville Teacher Residency (LTR) program could be the next career path for you! Residents are enrolled in a one-year Master of the Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program at the University of Louisville, as well as, employed with JCPS as a resident. Participants receive personalized instruction throughout the process to help them succeed in JCPS classrooms. In return, LTR graduates commit to teach in accelerated improvement schools (AIS) for five years.
JCPS in conjunction with the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville offers the LTR program for individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree in an area other than teacher education. The program is designed to incorporate Kentucky teacher certification requirements within a Master's degree program.
Application Process
Questions about the application should be directed to teacher@louisville.edu. Candidates will be notified via e-mail regarding the admission decision no later than six weeks after the application deadline. Applicants who are selected for admission will receive information about a mandatory orientation session. Also, refer to the Educator Preparation Program page for information regarding the application process.
Careers
What happens after graduation? Upon graduation, you will begin your career as a master’s degree-level teacher and you will gain access to the following benefits:
- Prioritized employment within JCPS at the elementary level
- Master's degree-level salary (approximately $50,000)
- Ongoing coaching and support
Who Should Apply
We are looking for candidates who are committed to working in one of JCPS’s accelerated improvement schools (AIS). Minimum program requirements include: bachelor’s degree conferred by the program’s start in June, a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last 30 hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework, and authorization to work in the United States.
Financial Aid
In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University of Louisville's Financial Aid office, the College of Education & Human Development also has information about financial aid.
Other financial aid opportunities available include student employment opportunities.
Class Act Federal Credit Union Scholarship for Louisville Teacher Residency
The University of Louisville and Jefferson County Public School system are working in collaboration on the creation and development of the Louisville Teacher Residency program. The objective of the program, the first of its kind in Kentucky, is to increase the pool of diverse, highly-skilled teachers, particularly in low-performing, urban schools.
The Class Act Federal Credit Union Scholarship offers an award of $1000 per semester for one year of the LTR program (Summer, Fall, Spring = $3000). Find the Class Act Federal Credit Union Scholarship here
Contact
Individuals interested in the LTR program should contact representative from JCPS and/or the College of Education & Human Development BEFORE applying to the teacher education program.
- JCPS Contact: louisvilleteacherresidency@jefferson.kyschools.us.
- CEHD Contact: Dr. Stefanie Wooten-Burnett, stefanie.wootenburnett@louisville.edu, or Mr. Brandon Gossett, brandon.gossett@louisville.edu
Department Contact
Stefanie Wooten-Burnett
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-8053
FAQs: M.A.T in Elementary Education
If you attend full time, you may complete the program in 4 consecutive semesters. Refer to full-time and part-time sequencing guides under the Curriculum Tab.
The courses are delivered predominantly in the College of Education and Human Development on Belknap Campus in the late afternoon (4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) during Spring and Fall semesters.
Yes, after successfully completing the program requirements and passing national PRAXIS exams, a graduate will be certified to teach in the P-5 setting in Kentucky
FAQ: Louisville Teacher Residency Program
The LTR program is full-time and you complete the program in 4 consecutive semesters.
The courses are delivered predominantly in the College of Education and Human Development on Belknap Campus and/or in a local JCPS school in the late afternoon (4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) during the week during Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters. Also, candidates will have classes on Fridays during the day.
Yes, after successfully completing the program requirements and passing national PRAXIS exams, a graduate will be certified to teach in the P-5 setting in Kentucky, specifically in JCPS.
Residents are eligible for scholarship opportunities, such as the Kentucky Academy of Equity in Teaching (KAET) and additional financial aid opportunities at the University of Louisville.
After completing a successful residency year and hiring process, graduating residents will be employed as JCPS teachers. As of the 2019-20 school year, the starting salary for a JCPS master’s degree-level teacher was $48,944.20, plus a pension and other benefits. This is more than $5,800 higher than the starting salary for a JCPS teacher without a master’s degree.
LTR is designed to create a pipeline of talented, specially-trained teachers to fill positions in AIS schools. When you join our program, you will sign an agreement committing to teach in an AIS school within JCPS for a minimum of five years after graduation. If you are unable to meet your commitment, you will be required to repay all or a portion of the stipend you received during your training year ($30,000 for most residents). If a resident is not placed in an JCPS school upon graduation, becomes disabled, or if there are other special circumstances, JCPS will be flexible about repayment expectations on a case-by-case basis.
Placing LTR graduates in AIS schools is part of our mission. However, JCPS does not mandate principals to hire resident teachers. We recognize the many factors that impact hiring decisions, so placement is not guaranteed. If a resident is not placed in an AIS school, our team will provide assistance to find positions in high-needs JCPS schools.