The degrees listed below offer initial teacher certification for students pursuing a career in teacher education.

Learn more about the certification process.

Elementary Education Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Early Elementary Education with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (leading to certification in Birth to Age 5)

This degree program is primarily designed for students who already possess an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood and wish to earn initial Kentucky Teacher Certification in IECE. The student will complete a minimum of 64 credit hours in Core Professional Courses, in the area of concentration (Birth to Five Years) and in student teaching. In addition to courses pertaining to child development, curriculum approaches and teaching methods, this program also addresses issues involved in the teaching of preschool children with disabilities.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Early Elementary Education (P-5)

The Bachelor of Science in Early Elementary Education offers undergraduates options for obtaining grades P-5 certification in combination with concentrations in nine specific teaching areas. This unique option prepares undergraduates to enter the teaching profession as teachers of primary and intermediate age students.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (birth to Age 5)

This MAT degree program prepares students interested in working with children from birth to age 5 in a wide variety of settings—day care centers, public and private preschools, community programs, and clinics. This program gives students authentic experiences with infants, toddlers, and preschool children in the areas of curriculum development, typical and atypical child development, programs and services for children and their families, family involvement and intervention, screening and assessment, program administration, current topics, and practicum/action research.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) (leading to certification grades P-5)

The P-5 MAT degree program enables graduate students to earn their initial teaching certification in grades K-5 in Kentucky. The teacher candidates learn to teach through instruction in pedagogy, child development, special education, gifted education, technology and diversity. They develop their skills in field experiences, including student teaching, in area schools.

Middle School Education Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Middle School (5-9) Education

The Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education offers undergraduates options for obtaining grades 5-9 certification in combination with concentrations in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. This unique option prepares undergraduates to enter the teaching profession as teachers of middle school age students.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) (leading to Middle School Education certification grades 5-9)

The Middle School Education degree program enables students to earn their initial Kentucky teaching certification in grades 5-9 with one or more of the following concentrations:

• English/Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies

Secondary Education Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Secondary (8-12) Education

The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education offers undergraduates options for obtaining grades 8-12 certification in combination with concentrations in nine specific teaching areas. This unique option prepares undergraduates to enter the teaching profession as teachers of Biological Science, Business and Marketing Education (5-12), Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, English, Foreign Language Educaion in French or Spanish (P-12), Mathematics, Physics, and Social Studies.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), leading to Secondary Education certification grades 8-12

The MAT in Secondary Education degree program enables students to earn their initial Kentucky teaching certification in grades 5-9 with one or more of the following concentrations:

• Biological Science
• Business and Marketing Education (grades 5-12)
• Chemistry
• Earth/Space Science
• English
• Foreign Language Education in French or Spanish (grades P-12)
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Social Studies

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), leading to Art Education Certification grades (P-12)

The MAT in Art Education prepares students to earn initial Kentucky certification for teaching Art in grades P-12. The teacher candidates learn to teach through instruction in pedagogy, child development, special education, technology and diversity.

MAT in Music Education (P-12)

The MAT Program enables graduate students to earn their initial teaching certification for Kentucky. The teacher candidates learn to teach through instruction in pedagogy, child development, special education, technology and diversity.

Alternative Certification Programs

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), leading to certification in Middle Grades (5-9) or Secondary Education (8-12) - Alternative Certification Program

The Alternative Certification Program provides candidates with an opportunity to pursue initial teacher certification while working as a full time teacher at Rank III level. Candidates are not required to be employed in order to be accepted into the program, but must secure employment in a Kentucky accredited school by the time UofL session starts, in order to continue in the program. This program is a two year, 30 credit hour program resulting in initial teacher certification and a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree. The Alternative Certification program allows for certification in middle or secondary education only with the same concentrations listed above for middle or secondary education.

Master of Arts (MAT) in Special Education with concentration in Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD), grades P-12 - Alternative Certification program

In order to be accepted into this program, applicants must be employed in an MSD classroom on a temporary provisional certificate. Certification in Moderate and Severe Disabilities in Kentucky includes areas of Functional Mentally Disabled, Mental Retardation, Multiple Impairments, and other health impaired. Individuals completing this degree would not be certified to teach in a classroom (Elementary, Middle or Secondary) unless they completed an additional certification program.

Master of Arts(MAT) in Special Education with concentration in Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD), grades P-12 - Alternative Certification program

This program leads to certification in Kentucky for areas of Behavior Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Mild Mental Disability, and Orthopedic Impairments. In order to be accepted into this program, applicants must be employed in an LBD classroom on a temporary provisional certificate. The program leads to certification for LBD only. Individuals completing this program would not be certified to teach in a classroom (Elementary, Middle or Secondary) unless they completed an additional certification program