Middle School Education - Alternative Certification 5-9 (MAT)
Change the Future
The Middle School Education (MAT) with Alternative Certification provides an accelerated pathway to teaching. Designed for those seeking a career change, this program offers provisional certification to work in full-time teaching positions while completing coursework. With a focus on social justice and equity, you’ll join a cohort, receive wrap-around support services, and gain hands-on experience in high-need areas. Benefit from strong partnerships with local schools, scholarship opportunities, and a 25% tuition reduction. Graduates earn Kentucky certification and an MAT in just two years.
Course Catalog
Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle School Education, Alternative Route to 5-9 Certification
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Elementary, Middle and Secondary Teacher Education
Program Website
Academic Plan Code(s): MSEDMATENG, MSEDMATMAT, MSEDMATSCI, MSEDMATSST
Program Information
The Alternative Certification program is designed to assist local school districts in meeting the demand for qualified teachers in high need content areas. The program provides candidates with an opportunity to pursue initial teacher certification while working as a full-time teacher on a temporary provisional license.
Employment is not required for initial acceptance to the program. However, candidates must be employed in a Kentucky-accredited school by the start of the school year in order to continue in the program. This program is a two-year, 30 credit hour program resulting in initial teacher certification and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree.
Admission Requirements
Candidates who meet the following criteria may be eligible to apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching, Alternative Certification program:
- Application to Graduate School. This should be completed three to four weeks prior to the application deadline.
- Passing scores on content Praxis II Exam(s)
- Bachelor's Degree from Accredited College or University with major in content area and a minimum 2.75 Grade Point Average (official transcripts required)
- Prerequisite Course Requirements – Applicants may apply to the program with up to six (6) credit hours of content remaining to complete.
- Grade of C of higher in ENGL 102 (or equivalent)
- Grade of C or higher in oral communication course
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo
- Professional Writing Requirements
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Experience working with diverse groups of children/adolescents
- Acceptable interview
Candidates considering application to the MAT program should contact the Education Advising and Student Services office (teacher@louisville.edu) prior to applying for admission.
Admission is competitive. Candidates who meet minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDTP 631 | Integrated Teaching and Learning I | 3 |
| EDTP 632 | Integrated Teaching and Learning II | 3 |
| Choose one from the following courses: | 3 | |
EDTP 607 | Middle School Language Arts Methods | |
EDTP 608 | Middle School Math Methods | |
EDTP 609 | Middle School Science Methods | |
EDTP 610 | Middle School Social Studies Methods | |
| EDTP 633 | Integrated Teaching and Learning III | 3 |
| EDTP 627 | Practicum for Alternative Certification Program (two semesters) | 3 |
| Mid-Point Assessment 1 | ||
| EDTP 503 | Developing Cross-Cultural Competence: Teaching Students from Diverse Backgrounds | 3 |
| EDTP 620 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDAP 688 | Designing a Technology Integrated Curriculum | 3 |
| EDTP 678 Supporting the Second Year Alternative Certification Teacher I | 1-3 | |
| EDTP 679 Supporting the Second Year Alternative Certification Teacher II | 1-3 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 30 | |
To maintain your Temporary Provisional Certificate, you MUST be enrolled in Alternative certification coursework.
1 Mid-Point Assessment: Completion of all courses listed above; satisfactory dispositions assessment; no lower than a "C" in content methods class(es); grade of "C" or higher in EDTP 627, EDTP 678, and EDTP 679; 2.50 cumulative GPA in content course requirements; satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance or better on all rubrics.
Certification Assessment: Satisfactory dispositions assessment; passing scores on PRAXIS content and PLT exams; completion of degree requirements.
Degree Assessment: All program course work with 3.0 cumulative GPA (and no more than a total of two “C’s” in degree courses); satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance or better on all rubrics.
Degree Candidacy: If not enrolled during the semester in which you are graduating, you will need to register for a degree candidacy as outlined in the Graduate Catalog.
Praxis Disclaimer: Teacher certification requirements are subject to change. Before registering for the test(s), please refer to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) website at epsb.ky.gov/ for current requirements.
The Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle School Education and all related content areas 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://louisville.edu/online/About-Us?tab=disclosures.
