Master of Arts in Teaching Program

Are you on a path to become a teacher? Don't make the world wait. Designed for career changers, this flexible Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program will prepare you for teacher certification.

The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a flexible, practical and convenient pathway to teaching. With this program, you can:

Affordable. All students pay in-state tuition regardless of residency. More than 70% of MAT students receive scholarships, such as K-State’s online scholarships and/or the Kansas Board of Regents’ Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship.
Earn While You Learn. Through our Practitioner Track, Kansas students may obtain a restricted license and become full-time teachers while completing their degree requirements. Our License-Seeking Track allows students to continue their current (non-teaching) employment while they pursue their degree.
Flexible and Convenient. MAT students work on their online courses as their schedules allow and may complete their program in as little as 12 months or at their own pace, with student teaching in local schools.
Personalized Coaching. Every MAT student is assigned a GradCat — a master teacher who serves as a mentor, coach, and evaluator from the beginning to end of each course.
Quality. K-State’s MAT program is ranked #20 among 313 online education programs evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. The program combines research-based preparation with practical, classroom-based experiences, ensuring graduates are well-prepared.
Exceptional Learning Community. Your peers in the MAT program come from across the country and around the globe, bringing talent, insight, and shared purpose into every conversation.
One Size Does Not Fit All. The MAT recognizes and values your unique strengths, views teaching as a practical and individualized activity, and prepares you for success across a variety of contexts.
In-Demand Everywhere. K-State MAT graduates have the flexibility to launch teaching careers in their own communities — or beyond, with licensure that opens doors nationwide.

The elementary MAT consists of two, flexible tracks.

Practitioner track: For students who pursue the MAT while teaching full time. Kansas teachers are required to hold a LEAP License. You can choose a specialization in elementary education or secondary options in English, social studies, mathematics or modern languages, regardless or what you studied as an undergraduate student.
License-seeking track: For students who pursue the MAT while continuing their current employment. You can choose a specialization in elementary education or secondary options in agricultural education, English, social studies, mathematics or modern languages, regardless or what you studied as an undergraduate student.

Once you complete the program, you’ll be eligible to apply for a K-6 Initial Teaching License in the state of Kansas. Kansas Licensure also requires a Praxis pedagogy and content test. The license will transfer to other states upon completion of any additional requirements for that state.

Learn more about elementary and secondary education.

How to Apply

Student Learning Outcomes

Using the College of Education’s Conceptual Framework, the MAT emphasizes the following domains of learning:

The Learner, Learning, and Learning Environment

Learner Development
The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas. The teacher also designs and implements developmentally appropriate, relevant, and rigorous learning experiences.
Learning Differences
The teacher uses understanding of differences in individuals, cultures, and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet rigorous standards.
Learning Environment
The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning. This includes teacher and student use of technology, and encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Content Knowledge

Content Knowledge
The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches, and creates content-specific learning and literacy experiences that make the discipline accessible and relevant to assure mastery of the content.
Application of Content
The teacher understands how to engage learners through interdisciplinary lessons that utilize concept based teaching and authentic learning experiences to engage students in effective communication and collaboration, and in critical and creative thinking.

Instructional Practice

Assessment
The teacher understands how to use multiple measures to monitor and assess individual student learning, engage learners in self-assessment, and use data to make decisions.
Planning for Instruction
The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, technology, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Instructional Strategies
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in relevant ways.

Professional Responsibility

Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Leadership and Collaboration
The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, support staff, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Education Research

Action Research
The teacher pursues, analyzes, and uses research and data to make wise judgments about curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Elementary Practitioner Curriculum

Our NEW MAT 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. Kansas teachers are required to hold a Limited Apprentice License.

Here is how the program works:

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 Apprentice License (LEAP) for KSDE. Contact TJ Duntz (tduntz@k-state.edu) to apply for a LEAP 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 pedagogy and 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).

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 (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 K-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.

Elementary License-Seeking Curriculum

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 (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 K-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.
Culminating courses. EDCI 801 and EDCI 890 are required during the last semester and are to be taken concurrently.
Apprentice sections. For all courses, license-seeking track students must complete license-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.

Secondary Practitioner Curriculum

Our NEW MAT Secondary Practitioner track provides an additional option and pathway to the classroom. This program allows admitted secondary MAT students to apply for Kansas teaching positions and complete their program while serving as the teacher of record. Kansas teachers are required to hold a Restricted License.

Here is how the program works:

Step 1. Admission to the MAT.
Step 2. Apply for teaching positions in Kansas. You can reach out to local schools or visit Educate Kansas.
Step 3. Secure a full-time teaching contract in Kansas. The teaching position must be full time and include at least 50% of FTE in the appropriate subject and grade level. Email TJ Duntz (tduntz@k-state.edu) if you have questions about whether a position will work with the program.
Step 4. 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 5. 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 6. Apply for a Restricted License through KSDE. Apply for a Restricted License on Form 9.
Step 7. Successfully complete MAT. Practitioners who are teaching with a Restricted License are required to complete requirements for a Kansas Initial Teaching License within two years.
Step 8. Recommendation for Kansas Initial Teaching License. Upon successful completion of the MAT and the Praxis Pedagogy (PLT) test, you will be recommended for an initial teaching license.

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

Curriculum

Prerequisite 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 XXX - Subject Specific Methods (EDCI 703, 705, 706, 712, or AGED 790) (3 credits) F, S and U
EDCI 710 - Social Foundations of Education (3 credits) U only
EDCI 715 - Literacy in Content (3 credits) F and S
EDCI 760 - Action Research in Education (3 credits) F and S
EDCI 797 - Secondary Content Field Colloquium I (2 credits) F, S and U
EDCI 798 - Secondary Content Field Colloquium II (2 credits) F, S and U
EDCI 799 - Secondary Content Field Colloquium III (2 credits) WI
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

Note: Courses are offered the following semesters: F = Fall semester, S = Spring semester and U = Summer semester or WI – Winter Intersession

Prerequisites. Successful completion (grade of C or higher) in EDCI 702 and EDCI 716 are required prior to enrolling in any other courses AND candidate must achieve a passing PRAXIS score in the content area.
Orientation. Practitioner track students must take EDCI 886 prior to and/or concurrently with their first semester of teaching. EDCI 886 is required for the KSDE Restricted License.
Practitioner sections. For all courses, practitioner track students must complete practitioner or hybrid sections of subject-specific methods (EDCI 703, 705, 706, 712, or AGED 790),710, 715, 760, 797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 886 and 890.
Colloquia. EDCI 797, 798 and 799 must be taken consecutively and/or concurrently.
Methods. Subject specific methods (EDCI 703, 705, 706, 712, or AGED 790)and EDCI 800 must be taken concurrently.
Culminating courses. EDCI 801 and EDCI 890 are required during the last semester and are to be taken concurrently.
Restricted license deadline. Students teaching on a restricted license must complete their program in two years.

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

Secondary License-Seeking Curriculum

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

Prerequisite 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 XXX- Subject Specific Methods (EDCI 703, 705, 706, 712, or AGED 790) (3 credits) F, S and U
EDCI 710 - Social Foundations of Education (3 credits) U only
EDCI 715 - Literacy in Content (3 credits) F and S
EDCI 760 - Action Research in Education (3 credits) F and S
EDCI 797 - Secondary Content Field Colloquium I (2 credits) F, S and U
EDCI 798 - Secondary Content Field Colloquium II (2 credits) F, S and U
EDCI 799 - Secondary Content Field Colloquium III (2 credits) WI
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

Note: Courses are offered the following semesters: F = Fall semester, S = Spring semester and U = Summer semester or WI – Winter Intersession

Prerequisites. Successful completion (grade of C or higher) in EDCI 702 and EDCI 716 are required prior to enrolling in any other courses AND candidate must achieve a passing PRAXIS score in the content area before proceeding to other classes.
License-seeking sections. For all courses, license-seeking track students will complete license-seeking or hybrid sections of Subject specific methods (EDCI 703, 705, 706, 712, or AGED 790), 710, 715, 760, 797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 886 and 890.
Colloquia. EDCI 797, 798 and 799 must be taken consecutively and/or concurrently.
Methods. Subject specific methods (EDCI 703, 705, 706, 712, or AGED 790) and EDCI 800 must be taken concurrently.
Culminating courses. EDCI 801 and EDCI 890 are required during the last semester and are to be taken concurrently.

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

1. Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship: Provides $3,300 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.

Your pathway to teaching is ready! This flexible, online master’s program is designed for career changers and will prepare you for K-6 teacher certification in both elementary general and special education positions. Learn More Today!

With this program, you will benefit from:
- Elementary + Special Education in One Degree. Earning your Elementary Education Unified (K-6) license qualifies you to teach elementary and special education in just 34-36 credit hours.
- In-Demand Everywhere. K-State MAT graduates have the flexibility to launch teaching careers in their own communities — or beyond, with licensure that opens doors nationwide.
- Affordable. All students pay in-state tuition regardless of residency. More than 70% of MAT students receive scholarships, such as the K-State Online Scholarship.
- Flexible and Convenient. MAT students work on their online courses as their schedules allow and may complete their program in as little as 16 months or at their own pace, with student teaching in local schools.
- Relevant. You will learn today’s most essential practices—how to use Universal Design for Learning (UDL), intensive intervention and data-based individualization (DBI), and social-emotional learning to maximize learning for all students.
- Exceptional Learning Community. Your peers in the MAT program come from across the country and around the globe, bringing talent, insight, and shared purpose into every conversation.
- Personalized Coaching. Every MAT student is assigned a GradCat — a master teacher who serves as a mentor, coach, and evaluator from the beginning to end of each course.
- Quality. K-State’s MAT program is ranked #20 among 313 online education programs evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. The program combines research-based preparation with practical, classroom-based experiences, ensuring graduates are well-prepared.
- One Size Does Not Fit All. The MAT recognizes and values your unique strengths, views teaching as a practical and individualized activity, and prepares you for success across a variety of contexts.

Student Profiles

Andrea Graham

Blake Freeland

Steven Thomas

*This estimate includes online tuition and College of Education fees and is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ depending on your transfer hours, course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

Statement on 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v). Graduates of Kansas State University's teacher education programs who successfully complete the Kansas teacher licensure exams are eligible to apply for a Kansas Initial Teaching License. Kansas State University cannot determine whether its teacher education programs lead to licensure in any state other than Kansas. If you plan to teach in a state other than Kansas, you will need to check the teacher license transfer requirements of your state's Department of Education. We have compiled a state-by-state resource that outlines additional requirements, procedures and contacts to transfer of your Initial Kansas Teaching License to other states or U.S. territories.