Online MAT in IECE Program Highlights
- Gain the credentials you need to become a teacher—no matter your background or bachelor degree.
- Develop the skills to effectively work with learners from all backgrounds, address their unique learning needs and make education accessible.
- Learn how to construct and adapt instructional methods and curricula for your classroom to help students engage in critical thinking and lifelong learning.
- Experience a thoughtfully designed curriculum, emphasizing children's physical development, mental growth and socialization skills.
- Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes and 24/7 access to learning tools.
- Learn from world-class CEHD faculty, who have extensive experience as educators.
START YOUR APPLICATION
REQUEST INFORMATION
Online MAT in IECE Alternative Certification Program
If teaching is your calling, the MAT offers you a path to become a teacher, regardless of your background or bachelor’s degree. The alternative certification program within the MAT enables you to immediately seek full-time employment as an early childhood educator in the state of Kentucky. While you have to complete the MAT program to receive your master’s degree and your initial teaching certification, once admitted as an alt. cert. student, you will be granted a temporary, provisional certification allowing you to get started on your new career right away!
"This program is designed to prepare people for the classroom who have no previous experience, but it is also a great fit for someone who does have classroom experience and lacks their initial certification. The MAT curriculum is designed to prepare you to be an early childhood educator—no matter where you’re starting from."
Betty Doyle, M.Ed.
Program Director
Online MAT in IECE Outcomes
What Can I Learn as an Online MAT in IECE Student?
The expertise you’ll develop as a student in the MAT in IECE program will prepare you to become an early childhood educator—regardless of your undergraduate background. Specific expertise gained from the program will include:
- Research-based approaches to planning and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities, lessons, and materials that develop literacy, mathematics, science and social studies learning in young children birth through age five.
- An exploration of curricular approaches and teaching strategies appropriate for inclusive early childhood classroom.
- Strategies and tools for collaborating with other professional and paraprofessionals to support families in providing interventions to infants and toddlers.
What is the Career Outlook for Online MAT in IECE Graduates?
UofL’s online MAT in IECE leads to a master's in teaching and a teacher certification, and enables graduates to earn their birth – age 5 Kentucky teaching certification. Jobs that graduates may pursue include:
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Preschool Teacher
- Early Childhood Special Educator
- Developmental Interventionist
- Infant-Toddler Teacher
- Early Childhood Parent Educator
- Special Educator for IEPs/IFSPs
- Home-based Early Childhood Teacher
- Itinerant Early Childhood Teacher
- Nursery School Teacher
The 2019-2029 occupational outlook for kindergarten teachers is expected to grow 4% nationwide, which is as fast as the average national occupation growth rate.
START YOUR APPLICATION
REQUEST INFORMATION
Online MAT in IECE Application Deadlines
| Application Deadline |
Term |
Start Date |
| October 15 |
Spring |
January |
| May 1 |
Summer |
May |
Applicants who wish to enroll in the Alternative Certification program can start in the Summer Term. MAT Alternative Certification applicants must obtain full-time employment before the fall semester, teaching students in an early childhood classroom.
How to Apply for the Online Master of Arts in Teaching in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
- Start your application for graduate admission
- Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
- Upload required materials*
- Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and
universities. Transcripts are only accepted directly from the institution(s) by
email: gradadm@louisville.edu (recommended) or mail: University of
Louisville, Graduate School, 2211 S. Brook St., Louisville, KY 40292.
- Create a financial plan
START YOUR APPLICATION
REQUEST INFORMATION
Online Master of Arts in Teaching in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
Admissions Requirements and Materials
- a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
- a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who do not
meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)
*Required application packet materials include:
*Your Application Portal:
Once you have started the graduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.
Out-of-State Applicants for the Online MAT in IECE
Out-of-state certified teachers should be advised that we cannot guarantee that our program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. As part of the admission process, we will require a written statement confirming their interest in the program for personal development and that they understand the program is designed to meet Kentucky certification requirements only. For more information, please contact our academic advisor at betty.hampton@louisville.edu.
Online MAT in IECE Courses
UofL’s online MAT in IECE is available as both an alternative certificate and traditional degree. The traditional degree does not grant you the provisional certificate required to begin teaching immediately.
Online MAT in IECE: Alternative Certification Courses
Ideal for those who want to begin their work as a teacher immediately, the alternative certification is a 30-credit hour program that will grant you with a temporary, provisional certification.
| Course List |
Hours |
|
EDSP 533 Inlusive Early Childhood Curriculum |
3 |
|
EDSP 537 Infant/Toddler Instruction Care |
3 |
|
EDSP 600 Creativity and the Young Child |
3 |
|
EDSP 657 Guidance for Young Children |
3 |
|
EDTP 627 Practicum for Alternative Certification (1 of 2 semesters) |
1.5 |
|
EDTP 627 Practicum for Alternative Certification (2 of 2 semesters) |
1.5 |
|
EDSP 632 Universal Design for Learning Using Technology |
3 |
| Mid-Point Assessment: Completion of all courses listed above with 3.0 cumulative GPA and no grade lower than C in each course; satisfactory dispositions assessment; satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance or better on all rubrics. |
|
EDSP 515 Communication and Socialization in Early Childhood |
3 |
|
EDSP 583 Early Childhood Special Education Assessment |
3 |
|
EDSP 584 Families and Collaboration in IECE |
3 |
|
EDTP 678 Supporting the Second Year Alternative Certification Teacher I |
1.5 |
|
EDTP 679 Supporting the Second Year Alternative Certification Teacher II |
1.5 |
| Minimum Required Credit Hours |
30 |
START YOUR APPLICATION
REQUEST INFORMATION
Online MAT in IECE Course Descriptions
Online MAT in IECE Success Team
Online MAT in IECE FAQ
-
Can I teach elementary school with this degree?
No, graduates of the MAT in IECE program are qualified to work with children from birth to entry into the primary program, as well as their families. Out-of-state certified teachers should also note that we cannot guarantee that our program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their home state, and are encouraged to review our Application tab for more information.
-
Where can I find state licensure information?
-
Which term should I apply for?
Applicants who wish to enroll in the Alternative Certification program can start in the Spring or Summer Term, and must obtain full-time employment teaching students in an early childhood classroom before the start of the Fall Semester. Those who wish to start the program in the Fall semesters will enroll in the Traditional option until they obtain employment. If you have questions, contact our academic advisor, Betty Hampton at betty.hampton@louisville.edu
-
Can I start teaching with this degree?
If you pursue the alternative certification pathway within the MAT, you would be able to immediately seek full-time employment as an early childhood educator in the state of Kentucky (requirements for other states may vary). While you must complete the MAT program to receive your master’s degree and your initial teaching certification, once admitted as an alternative certification student, you will be granted a temporary, provisional certification allowing you to get started on your new career right away!
-
Is financial aid available for this program?
Yes, there is financial aid available for this program. You can learn more by visiting our Financial Aid tab on the Tuition page.
