Interested in becoming a teacher in early childhood education?
Learn more about the CEHD's Tuition Reduction Initiative that can be applied to the MAT in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood program!
The MAT in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education could be your start to an exciting and fulfilling career in teaching!
The IECE program emphasizes an in-depth academic preparation and field experience that allows teachers to be knowledgeable about the field of early childhood/special education and to develop critical thinking and lifelong learning skills.
The program focuses on the following:
The program prepares students interested in working with children from birth-5 years of age in a wide variety of settings, including day care centers, public and private schools preschools, community programs and clinics. The 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.
Program goals:
For details about curriculum information, see the Graduate Catalog.
For details about curriculum information, see the Sequencing Guide for MAT in IECE [PDF].
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.
Candidates for admission should review the following which outline the expectations of the teaching profession:
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.
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.
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.
This program is open to all eligible students regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
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Department of Teaching and Learning
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Betty Doyle
Office: 502.852.3538
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education enables graduates to earn Birth-5 Kentucky teaching certification.
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.
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.
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.