The Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative Teacher Residency Program (OVEC TRP) is a 12-month graduate program for diverse teacher candidates that leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). It is designed to produce quality teachers who are equipped and committed to using instructional strategies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), offering the opportunity to become certified teachers in just one year! Participants receive personalized instruction and mentoring throughout the process to help them succeed in their classrooms. In return, OVEC TRP graduates commit to teach in their school districts for three years.
A partnership between OVEC and UofL's College of Education and Human Development, the TRP is for individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree in an area other than teacher education. By incorporating the Kentucky teacher certification requirements, it is a graduate degree program that leads to both a Kentucky teaching certification and a master's degree.
For candidates who have some experience in a school setting and/or working with children and adolescents, the TRP may be an option. This program is designed for aspiring teachers with extensive coursework in the content area in which they are seeking certification.
We’re looking for college graduates who are committed to DEI, including and especially those from underrepresented groups and those interested in the critical areas of math, science, and special education in learning and behavior disorders.
The OVEC Teacher Residency Program offers the following certification options:
The program allows qualified candidates the opportunity to work in paid, support teaching and learning positions matched with a highly qualified mentor teachers in high-need content areas and grade levels, while earning certification and the MAT within a one-year period. Admission occurs once each year, and the program courses start each summer.
Brandon Gossett, Academic Counselor
502-852-0574
brandon.gossett@louisville.edu
Dr. Stefanie Wooten-Burnett, Program Director
502-852-8053
stefanie.wootenburnett@louisville.edu
Some applicants may be required to complete prerequisite courses. Applicants are required to have a completed transcript evaluation as part of the application process prior to admission.
Applicants who have attended a college or university outside of the United States are also required to submit an evaluation of their transcript through either WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Please note that transcript evaluations can sometimes take several weeks.
For the University of Louisville application process, 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 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 for a formal 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:
Questions about the College of Education application should be directed to Dr. Stefanie Wooten-Burnett, stefanie.wootenburnett@louisville.edu, or Mr. Brandon Gossett, brandon.gossett@louisville.edu. Candidates will be notified via e-mail regarding the admission decision no later than three (3) weeks after the application deadline. Applicants who are selected for admission will receive information about a mandatory orientation session that will occur the last week of May.
Application Deadline: April 15th
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 program. Admission is competitive and candidates who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission.
Individuals interested in the TRP should contact a representative from their school district and/or the College of Education & Human Development BEFORE applying to the teacher education program.
Stefanie Wooten-Burnett
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-8053
Brandon Gossett
College of Education and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-0574
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:
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 its 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.
The OVEC TRP 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 onsite at the participating school district's 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 their chosen grade setting and/or content area in Kentucky.
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 teachers in their respective school district. This includes a master’s degree-level salary, plus a pension and other benefits. While salaries vary between school districts, the MAT graduate's salary amount is higher than the starting salary for a teacher without a master’s degree.
OVEC TRP is designed to create a pipeline of talented, specially-trained teachers to fill positions in their school districts. When you join our program, you will sign an agreement committing to teach in a school within your district for a minimum of three years after graduation. If you are unable to meet your commitment, you may be required to repay all or a portion of any stipend you received during your training year, as applicable to your school district.
Placing TRP graduates in schools is part of our mission. However, the school district 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 a school, our team will provide assistance to find positions in other high-needs schools.
