M.A.T. in Middle School Education

Learn more about the CEHD's Tuition Reduction Initiative that can be applied to the MAT in Middle School Education program!

Interested in becoming a teacher in middle school education?

The MAT in Middle School Education could be your start to an exciting and fulfilling career in teaching!

The MAT in Middle School Education enables graduate students to earn their initial teaching certification for grades 5-9 in Kentucky. Teacher candidates learn to teach through instruction in pedagogy, child development, special education, technology and diversity. Teacher candidates develop their skills through field experiences in local area schools.

The CEHD prepares future teachers who are committed to helping every student learn. The 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, UofL teacher education students become critical thinkers who are prepared to meet the demands of 21st century schools.

Looking for Alternative Certification?

Find out all the information you would need to obtain your alternative certification in Middle Grades or Secondary Education.

Alternative Certification

Middle School Content Areas (5-9) - may choose 2

  • Middle Grades Language Arts
  • Middle Grades Mathematics
  • Middle Grades Science
  • Middle Grades Social Studies

Helpful Links

Some applicants may be required to complete prerequisite courses.

Candidates to initial teacher certification programs are required to submit credentials supporting their academic ability, creativity and collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills, positive disposition, and commitment to the teaching profession. These credentials include test scores, transcripts, writing samples, and letters of recommendation which support the candidate's ability to succeed in a rigorous teacher education program. Competitive candidates will be invited to a formal, faculty interview.

This program is open to all eligible candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age.

Candidates for admission should review the following which outline the expectations of the teaching profession:

  1. Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Personnel [PDF]
  2. CEHD Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement [PDF]
  3. Character and Fitness Questionnaire [PDF]
  4. Professional Dispositions Rubric [PDF]
  5. Diversity Rubric [PDF]
  6. Effective Written Communication Rubric [PDF]

Application

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.

Application Deadline:

Fall Admission - June 1st by 5:00 p.m.

Please note: If the application deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, we will accept the admission portfolio on the Monday after the deadline by 5:00 p.m.

For those candidates who submit a complete application by April 1st, an early department screening will be available.

Admission Criteria

Candidates who meet the following criteria may be eligible to apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching program. Candidates considering 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.

Need help preparing for the GRE or Praxis II exams? Sign up for a GRE or Praxis II Information Sessions.

  1. Application to Graduate School/MAT Program. This should be completed three to four weeks prior to the application deadline.
  2. Passing Test Scores
    Please note:
    when submitting test scores through ETS, use the general University of Louisville code, 1838.
  3. Praxis II Content Exam(s)
  4. Bachelor's Degree from Accredited College or University with a Minimum 2.75 Grade Point Average (official transcripts required)
  5. Prerequisite Course Requirements
  6. Oral Communication Proficiency
  7. Written Communication Proficiency
  8. TOEFL
  9. Professional Writing Requirements
  10. Letters of Recommendation

Contact Us

Candidates considering application to the MAT program should attend an MAT Information Session. Please contact the Education Advising and Student Services Office for more information at 502-852-0574 or teacher@louisville.edu.

Department Contact

Department of Middle and Secondary Education
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Office: 502-852-6593

Department email: midscnd@louisville.edu

See the complete list of Middle and Secondary Education Faculty

General Information

For general information on financial aid resources, please visit the University of Louisville's Student Financial Aid office. The College of Education and Human Development has it's own web page dedicated to financial aid that contains some extra information not listed here.

College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) Scholarship

The CEHD has a long history of offering scholarships to prospective and current students pursuing an education degree program. The CEHD provides over $225,000 annually and selects recipients three times per year. Scholarship selection is competitive and applies to tuition only. Apply online for a CEHD Scholarship before the deadline (April 15th, June 1st and/or October 15th). Applicants should expect notification in four to five weeks after the posted deadline.

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.