K-State College of Education’s Master of Arts in Teaching program provides a pathway to teacher licensure for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to make a difference in education.
Whether you’re changing careers, entering the teaching profession for the first time or looking to expand your impact in the classroom, the MAT program combines graduate-level coursework, personalized support and practical teaching experiences to prepare you for success.
Real-world experiences make great teachers. Teachers motivate and maximize learning, change perspectives and leave lasting impressions on their students.
Designed with working professionals in mind, the fully online program allows you to complete coursework from anywhere while gaining valuable classroom experience in your local community. Graduates earn a Kansas teaching license, which may be transferable to other states depending on individual licensure requirements.
The MAT program offers three licensure options to align with your career goals:
Elementary Education (PreK–6): Prepare to teach young learners and build strong academic foundations across core subject areas.
Secondary Education (6–12): Turn your expertise in a specific content area into a rewarding teaching career at the middle or high school level.
Unified Elementary and Special Education (K-6): Earn dual licensure and develop the skills needed to support learners in all classroom environments.
The MAT program is:
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.
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.
Every MAT student is assigned a GradCat — a master teacher who serves as a mentor, coach and evaluator — from the beginning to the end of each course.
K-State’s MAT program is ranked No. 18 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report. The program combines research-based preparation with practical, classroom-based experiences, ensuring graduates are well-prepared.
Your peers in the MAT program come from across the country and around the globe, bringing talent, insight and shared purpose into every conversation.
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.
K-State MAT graduates have the flexibility to launch teaching careers in their own communities — or beyond, with licensure that opens doors nationwide.
Join us for an informational webinar to learn more about obtaining an Elementary (P-6), Secondary (6-12) or Unified Elementary and Special Education (K-6) Master of Arts in Teaching. Meet faculty members, ask questions and learn more! Sessions are offered monthly.
The MAT consists of two flexible tracks.
For students who pursue the MAT while teaching full-time. Kansas elementary teachers are required to hold a Limited Elementary Residency Program (LERP) license, and Kansas secondary teachers are required to hold a Restricted Teaching License. Students in this track must complete the program within 24 months.
For students who pursue the MAT while continuing their current employment in another industry.
Once you complete the program, you’ll be eligible to apply for an Initial Teaching License in the state of Kansas. Kansas licensure also requires the Praxis Pedagogy and Content Test, depending on grade levels taught. The license will transfer to other states once you complete any additional requirements for that state.
Our MAT Practitioner programs allows admitted elementary and secondary MAT students to apply for Kansas teaching positions and complete their program while serving as the teacher of record. Kansas elementary teachers must hold a Limited Elementary Residency Program (LERP) License, and secondary teachers must have a Restricted Teaching License.
Questions? Email or arrange a call with Professor Tom Vontz (tvontz@k-state.edu).
Questions? Send an email or arrange a call with Professor Tom Vontz (tvontz@k-state.edu).
Each student featured here brings a unique background and perspective to their journey into teaching.
Why I’m a unique teacher: I am starting out teaching at an older age. I think this is an advantage as my own children are now teenagers and I have more time to devote to my classroom students. I also graduated from the KSU MAT program when COVID first started. I started teaching online my first year with Kansas Connections Academy.
Bonnie Burkland | Elementary
Elliott City, Maryland
What is your experience in the online MAT classroom? I love that even though K-State is a larger university, it still has a community feel. K-State MAT faculty have set up the program so I can still engage with people’s faces in the virtual meeting space. When we engage in conversation, it is helpful to put a face with a name. The College of Education has GradCats, a great way for former students to mentor current students. They are willing to help and care about our success. The professors also want to help and understand our unique situations too.
Sarah Shiels
Read more coming soon!
Why I’m a unique teacher: My experiences. I have worked on factory floors, in high-rise offices, on college campuses and in district courtrooms. I have been lucky enough to travel across the world and encounter some of Earth’s great treasures. I think it grants me a neat perspective to share with students!
Aram Kokuzian | Secondary Education
Naperville, Illinois
Meet the faculty behind K-State’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs. Learn about the experienced educators and scholars who bring their expertise and passion for teaching to the classroom. (More information coming soon.)
What advice do you give incoming MAT students? Expect ambiguity in teaching. Answers are not black-and-white, yes-or-no, right-or-wrong. There are good and bad ways to proceed as a teacher. It’s their job to figure out what’s right in the context. Teaching is not following a script. Really good teaching is dynamic; it’s ever-changing and it’s reacting and responding to different variables and contexts. It makes teaching challenging and rewarding. The fundamental teaching decisions are about gray areas.
Thomas Vontz | Professor
Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and Center for Social Studies Education
What is one piece of advice you would give to incoming MAT students? My biggest piece of advice will vary depending on the student and their situation, but everyone should come in open-minded. Teaching methods are always changing, and how you were taught in grade school won’t be the same way to teach elementary, middle or high schoolers now.
Lotta Larson | Professor
Associate Director, Master of Arts in Teaching
What continues to keep you passionate about helping future educators? It’s the students. It’s the passion that I see in them. That’s what keeps me going through the MAT program. They are typically students who have done something else. They have a degree, and they’re coming in for an initial license, or it could be a career change for some of them. They’ve got a passion, and they’re coming in here for a reason.
Beth Pesnell | Teaching Assistant Professor
Elementary Science and Mathematics Education/STEM Education
What is your advice for incoming MAT students? My advice to incoming MAT students is to have confidence in themselves. Value what you’ve already learned and what you’ve already achieved up until this point. Be ready to bring your experience to the program as you work on assignments or interact with your peers, professors or your GradCats.
Vicki Sherbert | Associate Professor
Secondary Literacy
How would your students describe you as a teacher? Authentic, human and meaningful. It’s less about my teaching experience and more about the students’ experiences in my courses. I want my students to see their humanity at the center of what we’re doing. I want their voices to feel heard in what we’re doing. I want them to feel challenged in appropriate and meaningful ways.
Eileen Wertzberger | Assistant Professor
Director, Office of Field Experience
Using the College of Education’s Conceptual Framework, the MAT emphasizes the following domains of learning:
Learner Development, Learning Differences and Learning Environment
Content Knowledge
Instructional Practice
Professional Responsibility
Education Research
There are several scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to you, including:
Provides $3,400 per semester for fall and spring. Apply before June 1 to be placed in the priority pool.
Multiple opportunities providing $1,000–$1,500 per semester. Deadlines are April 1 (summer), June 1 (fall) and Nov. 1 (spring).
Available if you’re willing to teach in a low-income school for five consecutive years, up to $17,500.
Completing the FAFSA is required for eligibility for several of the assistance programs above.
If you’re a military veteran, spouse or actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may earn a GI Bill-eligible degree in education through this program.
Can I become a teacher if I already have a bachelor’s degree in another field?
Yes. K-State’s MAT program is specifically designed for career changers who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field for elementary or the unified programs. For the secondary program, you must have a significant content background in your desired licensure area. You do not need a prior education degree or teaching experience to apply. The program prepares you for full teacher licensure — in elementary, secondary or unified elementary and special education — from the ground up.
What is a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program?
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is designed for career changers with a bachelor’s degree who want to transition from another field into education. The online program prepares learners for classroom teaching in grades K-12 and is offered through K-State Online.
Can I become a licensed teacher through the online MAT program?
Yes, you can become a licensed teacher through K-State’s online MAT program. The online MAT program prepares students for licensure in Kansas, which can lead to licensure in other states. Once you complete the program, you’ll be eligible to apply for an Initial Teaching License in the state of Kansas. Kansas Licensure also requires a Praxis content test. The license will transfer to other states upon completion of any additional requirements in those states.
How long does it take to become a teacher through this program?
The timeline is completely flexible, depending on your track and pace. Most students complete the MAT within one to two years. Coursework is fully asynchronous, so you work on your own schedule — evenings and weekends included. Student teaching takes place in local schools during the final semester and requires full-time classroom presence. Practitioner Track students teaching on a restricted license must complete the program within two years, as required by KSDE.
Is an online MAT degree respected by school districts?
Yes. K-State’s Master of Arts in Teaching program is well respected by school districts. Many of the program’s recent graduates have been recognized through the Kansas Horizon Award for early-career teachers for excellence in the classroom.
The program is ranked No. 18 among online master’s in education programs by U.S. News & World Report. The combination of rigorous online coursework and real classroom experience ensures graduates are prepared to make an immediate impact.
How is this different from a Master of Educational Leadership?
The Master of Arts in Teaching is for individuals with a bachelor’s degree who are transitioning into a career in education from another field. The Master of Educational Leadership is for educators who are ready to take the next step into building leadership.
How does student teaching work if I don’t live in Kansas?
You do not need to live in Kansas to complete the MAT program or your field experiences. K-State’s MAT team is great at working with schools across the country to arrange practicum and student-teaching placements. In most instances, placements can be arranged close to where students live. However, placement availability varies by location and is contingent on district approval.
MAT students are required to obtain a device that enables recording, such as a tablet or video-enabled phone. The combination of these technologies enables real-time and video classroom observations and evaluation.
Questions about field experiences should be directed to Dr. Wertzberger (ejm7777@ksu.edu).
What careers can a Master of Arts in Teaching lead to?
K-State’s MAT prepares you to teach in PreK–12 classrooms as a licensed elementary, secondary or special education teacher. Depending on your program, you will be eligible for PreK–6 licensure (Elementary), grades 6–12 licensure (Secondary) or dual K–6 licensure in both elementary and special education (Unified). Teacher demand remains strong in Kansas and nationwide, particularly in special education, mathematics, science and world languages.
Who is K-State’s MAT program designed for?
The MAT program is designed for busy adults with a bachelor’s degree who are either working in education or in another field. Coursework is offered online, making it convenient and affordable for working adults.
Do I need a background in education to apply for K-State’s MAT program?
You do not need a background in education to apply for K-State’s online MAT program. If you plan to teach secondary education, your bachelor’s degree should be in a field related to your chosen content specialization.
Is K-State’s MAT program right for career changers?
Yes. K-State’s MAT is built for career changers. All coursework is fully online and asynchronous, so you can keep working while you earn your degree.
The Practitioner Track allows Kansas students to secure a teaching position and lead a classroom while finishing their degree on a restricted license. The License-Seeking Track lets you continue your current job while completing coursework, with student teaching arranged locally in your final semester.
Is the program 100% online?
With the exception of attendance requirements for the practicum and internship, all coursework for K-State’s MAT program is completed online and asynchronously.
Are there any in-person requirements or field experiences?
There are no requirements to attend classes in person in Manhattan, KS. MAT coursework is completed fully online; however, the program does include in-person classroom field experiences. During your practicum semester, you will need to be available to spend six hours per week in a classroom. During your internship semester, you will need to attend your placement full-time for 12+ weeks. K-State's MAT team will work with you to arrange your practicum and internship placements.
MAT students are required to obtain a recording device, such as a tablet or video-enabled phone. The combination of these technologies enables real-time and video-based classroom observations and evaluations.
Questions about field experiences should be directed to Dr. Wertzberger (ejm7777@ksu.edu).
Can I move through the program at my own pace?
Yes. MAT coursework is fully asynchronous and self-paced within each semester, so you can balance the program with work and life. Most students complete the degree within one to two years.
For those who are on the Practitioner track with a temporary teaching license (LERP or a restricted license), the Kansas Department of Education requires completion of the program within 24 months.
What is the typical duration of the MAT program, and can it be completed part-time or only full-time?
You can complete the MAT program in 12 to 24 months. Students in the license-seeking track may take longer to complete the program. The online coursework can be completed either full-time or part-time; however, the student teaching portion of the program must be completed full-time in a classroom setting.
How is the balance between coursework and field experience structured?
Most coursework is completed online. However, during the semester you enroll in EDCI 800, you are required to arrange (with your cooperating teacher/school) 64 hours of teaching experience. During EDCI 801, you will complete 12+ weeks of full-time student teaching and will not be able to continue full-time employment.
Can I complete the MAT while working full-time?
Yes. All MAT coursework is fully asynchronous — you complete it on your own schedule, evenings and weekends included. The Practitioner Track is specifically designed for this.
Kansas students can secure a teaching position and begin earning a salary while finishing their degree on a restricted license. The one exception is student teaching (EDCI 801) within the License-Seeking Track, which requires full-time classroom presence during the final semester.
What is a GradCat and what do they do?
A GradCat is an experienced classroom teacher assigned to every MAT student from the start of the program to the end. They serve as your personal mentor, coach and evaluator throughout every course — observing your teaching, providing feedback and supporting your growth. This kind of individualized, practitioner-to-practitioner guidance is rare in online teacher preparation programs.
What are the student-teaching or job-embedded teaching requirements, and do they need to be completed in Kansas?
Students are required to complete field experiences during their final semester of the MAT program. Students complete field (student-teaching) experiences in accredited schools near where they currently live. MAT students are required to obtain a recording device, such as a tablet or a video-enabled phone. Together, these technologies enable real-time, video-based classroom observations and evaluations. Direct questions about field experiences to Dr. Wertzberger (ejm7777@ksu.edu).
What kind of advising or mentoring support is provided throughout the program?
Every MAT student is assigned a GradCat, an experienced classroom teacher who serves as your personal mentor, coach and evaluator through every course. This kind of individualized, practitioner-to-practitioner guidance is rare in online teacher preparation programs and makes a real difference in how prepared you feel when you walk into your own classroom.
Are there opportunities to specialize (e.g., literacy, TESOL, STEM)?
While the MAT program does not offer formal specialization tracks, students may choose to take additional graduate coursework in areas of interest. Additional coursework and testing may also support licensure endorsements in areas such as English as a Second Language (ESL).
How does the program prepare graduates for diverse classroom settings and cultural contexts?
The MAT program prepares future teachers to work with students from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, abilities and learning needs. Throughout the program, students learn, discuss and apply instructional strategies designed to support all learners.
Is there an option for hybrid or online learning, especially for international students?
Yes. The MAT program is delivered fully online and can be completed from anywhere with reliable internet access. Coursework is designed to be completed asynchronously, allowing flexibility for working professionals and students in different time zones. Opportunities to interact with instructors and classmates through live lectures and discussions are often available, and recordings are provided for students who cannot attend live sessions.
Will I be eligible for teacher licensure after completing the MAT program?
Upon completion of K-State’s MAT program, you will be eligible to apply for an Initial Teaching License in the state of Kansas. The license will transfer to other states upon completion of any additional requirements in those states.
To become certified in Kansas, students will need to complete a background check. Elementary teachers will need to pass the Elementary Education Praxis series (CKT 7001, 7002, 7003, 7004 and 7005) tests. K-State recommends taking the test during the semester in which you are student teaching.
Kansas Licensure for secondary teachers also requires passage of the Praxis content test, which is required for admission to the MAT program.
K-State MAT graduates have the flexibility to launch teaching careers in their own communities — or beyond, with licensure that opens doors nationwide.
In which states can I become licensed with this degree?
Once you are licensed to teach in the state of Kansas, you can transfer your license to other states upon completion of any additional requirements for that state. Learn more about how the MAT opens doors nationwide.
What grade levels can I teach after completing the program?
Those completing the elementary MAT will be licensed to teach preschool through sixth grade. Those completing the unified elementary and special education MAT programs will be licensed to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. Those completing the secondary MAT program will be licensed to teach grades 6 through 12.
Is financial aid available for the MAT program?
Yes, and it is substantial. All MAT students pay in-state tuition regardless of where they live.
More than 70% of MAT students receive scholarships. The Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship provides $3,300 per semester (apply by June 1 for priority consideration). K-State Online Scholarships provide $1,000–$1,500 per semester. Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness of up to $17,500 is available for graduates who teach in qualifying schools for five years. Attend a free MAT informational webinar to receive an application fee waiver.
What are the tuition costs, and are there scholarships or assistantships available?
MAT courses are $570.43 per credit hour*, and the fees are the same for all students no matter where they live. There are scholarships and financial aid options available. LINK TO SCHOLARSHIPS.
*Tuition rate is based on 2025–2026 rates, which are subject to change annually. Your hours and costs will differ depending on your transfer hours, course choices and academic progress. For a full breakdown of all tuition and fees, please visit K-State’s Online Tuition and Fees website.
Are there tuition payment plans or financial aid options for international students?
Yes. Kansas State University offers monthly tuition payment plans and a variety of scholarship opportunities. We encourage all eligible students to submit the FAFSA, as many financial aid and scholarship programs use FAFSA information during the award process. Students should explore K-State, external and employer-sponsored scholarship opportunities.
Is there a demand for teachers? I have heard there’s a teacher shortage. Is that true?
Yes. Teacher shortages in Kansas and across the country remain significant, particularly in special education, mathematics, science and world languages. Kansas reported nearly 2,000 teacher vacancies in 2024, and national shortages affect roughly one in eight teaching positions.
Will I be able to find a job after graduating?
Due to nationwide teacher shortages, K-State MAT graduates are well-positioned to step into classrooms with strong job prospects and long-term career stability.
Where is the best place to search for teaching jobs?
Resources vary by state. In Kansas, the best place is Educate Kansas.
Are there alumni networks or career services available to support job placement?
Yes. All K-State students have access to the Career Center, which provides support with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, job search strategies and career planning. Students can continue to utilize these resources as they prepare to enter the teaching profession.