Elementary Education (MAT)

Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education
Unit: College of Education and Human Development 
Department: Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education
Program Webpage
Academic Plan Code(s): EREDMAT

Program Information

The MAT in Elementary Education enables graduate students to earn their initial teaching certificate for grades P-5 in Kentucky. Candidates learn to teach through instruction in pedagogy, child development, special education, gifted education, technology, and diversity. They develop their skills in field experiences in local area schools. The Elementary Education program emphasizes meeting the needs of the individual learner using best instructional practices in a standards-based environment. Through coursework and clinical field experiences, teacher education students become critical thinkers who are prepared to meet the demands of 21st-century elementary education.

Application Requirements

Candidates considering an application to the MAT program should contact the MAT pre-admissions counselor (teacher@louisville.edu) prior to applying for admission. A transcript evaluation must be completed before a candidate can be considered for admission.

• Completed UofL graduate application submitted at https://apply.graduate.louisville.edu/apply/
• Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution to the UofL Graduate School. Transcripts issued to the candidate, and/or uploaded by the candidate, are considered unofficial.
  • International transcripts must be evaluated per UofL Graduate School requirements: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international/evaluation
• Personal statement - Candidates should upload two essays in response to the prompts below. The essays should be included in one document. Each essay should be double-spaced (Times New Roman 12 point font) with no more than three pages per essay.
  • Essay 1: In consideration of the characteristics of an effective teacher, the ability to collaborate, and to support student collaboration in the classroom, is essential. Please self-evaluate this important skill and indicate whether you consider this as a strength or weakness. If you consider it as a weakness, please explain how you might further develop this skill. Also, please explain how you might encourage collaboration in your future classroom.
  • Essay 2: In what ways have your life experiences shaped the way you learn, and how you interact with others with different life experiences? Additionally, explain how you would support the ideal of "respect for all learners" in your future classroom.
• Current resume
• Recommendations - Three (3) recommendations are required. Requests are automatically sent to the recommenders' emails once the graduate application is submitted. Adequate time should be given for recommenders to respond to the request by the application deadline. Candidates may log into their admission portal to check the status of the recommendations.
  • Work with Children and/or Adolescents Recommendation - This recommendation should be completed by an individual who has observed the candidate's work/engagement with children and/or adolescents. The recommender should address the candidate's ability to relate to, and work with, children/adolescents as well as his/her ability to organize, lead and direct activities. The faculty screening committee wants to see evidence that candidates have engaged with the age group he/she intends to teach, and that a professional (such as a teacher or school administrator, scout leader, community organization director, etc.) confirms the candidate's potential for success in the teacher education program.
  • Professional/Community Recommendation - This recommendation should be completed by an individual who can address the candidate's character and professional qualities (i.e. punctuality, communication, leadership, work ethic, etc.). Pastors, P-12 teachers, supervisors/employers, and community organization directors are a few examples of appropriate recommenders.
  • Faculty Recommendation - This recommendation should be completed by a faculty member at the college level. The faculty member should address the candidate's academic skills and potential to succeed in a graduate program including: critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration. College graduates who have been away from higher education more than five years may have difficulty obtaining a faculty recommendation. In this situation, candidates may choose to submit a Professional/Community Recommendation in place of the Faculty Recommendation.
• Signed documents included in the application. You will be asked to review and sign the Statement of Understand of Admissions Guidelines and the Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement.
• International Applicants must submit additional items, and meet additional admission requirements. Information on the international application and admission requirements can be found here: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international

Admission Requirements

• Complete application (including all checklist items above and payment submitted).
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Candidates enrolled in the final semester of their bachelor's degree can be reviewed for provisional admission - pending receipt of a final, degree transcript.
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75. Candidates with a GPA lower than 2.75 should consult with the pre-admissions counselor to discuss state certification requirements and potential options.
• Prerequisite course requirements. Candidates must have a transcript evaluation completed by the pre-admissions counselor (teacher@louisville.edu) prior to applying for admission. The following prerequisite courses are required: Written communication (grad of "C" or higher), Oral communication (grade of "C" or higher), World or American History, Biological Science, Physical Science, and Science lab. EDTP 599 (Music, Art & Motion in P-5), as well as a specific Math course (or courses) for Elementary teachers, are required but may be incorporated into the graduate program.
• Interview with the admissions screening committee. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their qualifications for admission and should project a professional image. Candidates are encouraged to prepare for the interview by reflecting on the domains in the Professional Dispositions Rubric.

Admission is competitive. Meeting the GPA minimum and other admission requirements does not guarantee that prospective candidates will be accepted into the program.

Program admission dates: Summer or Fall semesters only

(Priority) Application Deadlines: March 1 for Summer and June 1 for Fall

Program Requirements

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Can be taken at any point in the program.

Praxis Disclaimer: Teacher certification requirements are subject to change. Before registering for certification test(s), please refer to the Education Profession Standards Board (EPSB) website at https://goteachky.com/resources/certification/initial-certification/ or www.ets.org/praxis for current requirements.

Degree Candidacy: Students not enrolled during the semester in which they intend to graduate must register for degree candidacy as outlined in the Graduate Catalog. 

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Elementary Education (EREDMAT) prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure.  If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree. 

More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website:  https://louisville.edu/about/departments/academic-planning-accountability/disclosures/professional-licensure.

For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: 
https://online.louisville.edu/resources/compliance/license.