All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements.

Graduate | International | Nondegree

Graduates of this program will be qualified to teach P-6. The MAT program enjoys a 97% job placement rate.

The Elementary Practitioner track provides an additional option and pathway to the classroom. This program allows admitted elementary MAT students to apply for Kansas teaching positions and complete their program while serving as the teacher of record. Practitioner students are required to hold a Limited Apprentice Residency Program (LERP) License.

Curriculum

Pre-requisite Core Courses (8 credits)

• EDCI 702 - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (3 credits) F, S and U
• EDCI 716 - Teaching Diverse Learners (3 credits) F, S and U
• EDCI 886 - Seminar in C&I (Orientation to Teaching) (2 credits) F, S and U

Practitioner Courses (20 credits)

• EDCI 710 - Social Foundations of Education (3 credits) U only
• EDCI 760 – Action Research in Education (3 credits) F and S
• EDCI 791 - Teaching Science and Math in the Elementary School (4 credits)
• EDCI 792 - Teaching Social Studies, Reading, and Literacy in the Elementary School (4 credits)
• EDCI 793 - Teaching Health, Movement, and Fine Arts in Elementary Schools (4 credits)
• EDCI 800 - Teaching Practicum (2 credits) F and S

Culminating Courses (5 credits)

• EDCI 801 - Internship in K-12 Schools (4 credits) F and S
• EDCI 890 - Master’s Project (1 credit) F, S and U

Final Project
You will be required to complete a teaching and learning portfolio during the spring semester.

Technology Requirements
In order to complete your teaching internship, you will be required to obtain a tablet (e.g., iPad) and video recording technology. The combination of these technologies enables real-time and video classroom observations.

Pre-requisite Core Courses (8 credits)

• EDCI 702 - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (3 credits) F, S and U
• EDCI 716 - Teaching Diverse Learners (3 credits) F, S and U
• EDCI 886 - Seminar in C&I (Orientation to Teaching) (2 credits) F, S and U

Practitioner Courses (20 credits)

• EDCI 710 - Social Foundations of Education (3 credits) U only
• EDCI 760 – Action Research in Education (3 credits) F and S
• EDCI 791 - Teaching Science and Math (4 credits) F only
• EDCI 792 - Teaching Social Studies, Reading and Literacy (4 credits) S only
• EDCI 793 – Teaching Health, Movement and Fine Arts (4 credits) U only
• EDCI 800 - Teaching Practicum (2 credits) F and S

Culminating Courses (5 credits)

• EDCI 801 - Internship in P-12 Schools (4 credits) F and S
• EDCI 890 - Master’s Project (1 credit) F, S and U

Note: Courses are offered the following semesters: F = Fall semester, S = Spring semester and U = Summer semester

• Prerequisites. Successful completion (grade of C or higher) in EDCI 702 and EDCI 716 are required prior to enrolling in any other courses AND prior to application for the Kansas Limited Elementary Apprentice Program (LEAP) license.
• Orientation. Students enrolling in the practitioner track must take EDCI 886 prior to and/or concurrently with their first semester of teaching. Enrollment in EDCI 886 is required for the LEAP.
• Culminating courses. EDCI 801 and EDCI 890 are required during the last semester and are to be taken concurrently.
• Completion deadline. The Kansas State Department of Education requires those who hold a LEAP license to complete their program within two years.
• Practitioner sections. For all required and culminating courses, practitioner track students will complete practitioner-seeking or hybrid sections of 760, 791, 792, 793, 800, 801 and 890.

Final Project
You will be required to complete a teaching and learning portfolio during the spring semester.

Technology Requirements
In order to complete your teaching internship, you will be required to obtain a tablet (e.g., iPad) and video recording technology. The combination of these technologies enables real-time and video classroom observations.

This track is for students who pursue the MAT while continuing their current employment.

Pre-requisite Core Courses (6 credits)

• EDCI 702 - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (3 credits) F, S and U
• EDCI 716 - Teaching Diverse Learners (3 credits) F, S and U

License-seeking Courses (20 credits)

• EDCI 710 - Social Foundations of Education (3 credits) U only
• EDCI 760 - Action Research in Education (3 credits) F and S
• EDCI 791 - Teaching Science and Math in the Elementary School (4 credits) F only
• EDCI 792 - Teaching Social Studies, Reading, and Literacy in the Elementary School (4 credits) S only
• EDCI 793 – Teaching Health, Movement, and Fine Arts in Elementary Schools (4 credits) U only
• EDCI 800 - Teaching Practicum (2 credits) F and S

Culminating Courses (5 credits)

• EDCI 801 - Internship in K-12 Schools (4 credits) F and S
• EDCI 890 - Master’s Project (1 credit) F, S and U

Final Project
You will be required to complete a teaching and learning portfolio during the spring semester.

Technology Requirements
In order to complete your teaching internship, you will be required to obtain a tablet (e.g., iPad) and video recording technology. The combination of these technologies enables real-time and video classroom observations.

There are several scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to you, including:

1. Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship: Provides $2,605 per semester for fall and spring. MAT students who apply before June 1 will be placed in a “priority pool.” Applications due June 1.
2. K-State Online Scholarships: Multiple scholarship opportunities are available for MAT students. Provide $1,000-$1,500 per semester. Application deadline is April 1 for the summer, June 1 for the fall and Nov. 1 for the spring.
3. Federal Loan Forgiveness for Teachers: Eligible for those willing to teach in a “low-income school” for five consecutive years. Maximum benefit is $17,500.
4. FAFSA: To maximize your scholarship eligibility, you must complete the FAFSA for the current aid year to be eligible for summer scholarships and the following aid year to be eligible for future fall and spring scholarships. Completion of the FAFSA is required to be eligible for several of the financial assistance programs listed above.
5. SkillBridge: Military veterans, spouses or those actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces can earn a GI Bill-eligible bachelor’s or master’s degree in education through this program.
6. Additional financial assistance can be found on the scholarships webpage.

1. Do I need to mark practitioner on my application? No, students can opt-in to the practitioner track at any time after securing a full-time teaching position.
2. Who will serve as my cooperating teacher? Typically, your principal, assistant principal or department chair serves as the CT though they are not with you in the classroom. MAT practitioners are the “teacher of record” and serve on a Limited Elementary Apprentice License (LEAP).
3. How do I opt-in to the MAT practitioner? Complete the following steps:

Step 1. Admission to the MAT.

Step 2. Complete Practitioner Prerequisite Courses. EDCI 702: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment as well as EDCI 716: Teaching Diverse Learners.

Step 3. Apply for teaching positions in Kansas. You can reach out to local schools or visit Educate Kansas.

Step 4. Secure a full-time teaching contract in Kansas. The teaching position must be full-time and in an elementary position. Email TJ Duntz (tduntz@k-state.edu) if you have questions about whether a position will work with the program.

Step 5. Declare the Practitioner Track with K-State: After securing a teaching position, email TJ Duntz (tduntz@k-state.edu) that you are selecting the practitioner track. At this time, let him know the school, grade level and subjects you are hired to teach.

Step 6. Advising Meeting: Arrange a meeting time with TJ Duntz (Zoom or Phone) to adjust your enrollment sections, add EDCI 886 Orientation to Teaching (required of all practitioner students), create MAT plan forward and talk through licensing steps.

Step 7. Apply for a Limited Elementary Residency License (LERP) for KSDE. Contact TJ Duntz (tduntz@k-state.edu) to apply for a LERP License on Form 24b (includes fingerprints and background check).

Step 8. Successfully complete MAT within 24 months. This program allows you to earn your master’s degree in as little as 12 months or as much as 24 months of coursework and full-time teaching.

Step 9. Recommendation for Kansas Initial Teaching License. Upon successful completion of the MAT and the Praxis content tests, you will be recommended for an initial Kansas teaching license.

Questions? Send an email or arrange a call with professor, Tom Vontz (tvontz@k-state.edu).

4. What is the degree and GPA requirement? Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA overall or in the final two years. If your GPA is below 3.0, contact Dr. Vontz (tvontz@ksu.edu)to explore options.
5. What tests are required? No tests are required to be admitted to the elementary MAT. To become certified in Kansas, however, students will need to complete a background check and pass the content test —the Elementary Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT 7001). K-State recommends taking the test the semester you are student teaching.
6. Is the curriculum the same for MAT practitioners? Practitioners take the same curriculum but are also required to take EDCI 886: Orientation to Teaching (to help prepare you for full-time teaching).
7. Where is the best place to search for teaching jobs? Resources vary by state. In Kansas the best place is Educate Kansas.
8. Is there a cap on the number of practitioners? No.
9. Are practitioners assigned a GradCat? Yes, all practitioners are assigned a GradCat who serves as a mentor, evaluator and coach throughout the program.
10. As a practitioner, am I still eligible for financial aid? Yes. See above scholarships and financial aid section for details.
11. Do I need a passing PRAXIS test score to participate? No.
12. Is there a time limit to complete the program? Yes, KSDE requires students complete their program within two years of receiving their LERP license.
13. Will the degree transfer to other states? Yes, the degree and teaching certificate does transfer to other states. Kansas has reciprocal licensing agreements with all other states; however, students may be required to complete an additional test or other state-specific requirements (e.g., state history and/or constitution).