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Master of Arts in Teaching

Master of Arts in Teaching

Earn While You Learn. The MAT has two tracks designed for students who are currently employed full-time, whether as teachers in our practitioner track or another industry.

June 25 — Don't miss our interactive webinar
Do you have questions about the MAT pathways? Join us live at 7 p.m. (CDT) on June 25, 2025, with Dr. Thomas Vontz and TJ Duntz.

The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a flexible, practical and convenient pathway to teaching. Benefits include:

Multiple start dates. Design a course schedule that fits your life. Complete the program in as little as 12 months or go at your own pace. Begin in fall (August), spring (January) or summer semesters.
Pace. Complete the program in as little as 12 months or go at your own pace.
Scholarships. 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.
Kansas Residents. A new Pathway to Teaching scholarship.
Tuition All students have the same tuition rate, wherever they live.
Job Placement. 97% of graduates have a teaching job within one year of graduation
Quality. Join a program that is rated #20 in the United States by US News & World Report.
Personalized Mentorship. Explore teaching with our team of MAT GradCats — an experienced, veteran mentor teacher.
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.
Licensure. Transfer your Kansas Teaching License to other states. Additional license transfer requirements may be required in some states.

Bonnie Burkland,

elementary kindergarten teacher

“I am very thankful for the wonderful support that KSU provides through this program. Everyone was very helpful and encouraging, preparing all of us to be successful teachers.”

View more Student Spotlights

The MAT offers two flexible tracks.

Practitioner track: For students who want to pursue the MAT while teaching full time.
Students teaching in Kansas will be required to hold a restricted teaching license.
License-seeking track: For students who want to pursue the MAT while continuing their current employment.

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(s). The license will transfer to other states upon completion of any additional requirements for that state.

Learn more about becoming an elementary education teacher.

Elementary Practitioner Curriculum

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. 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 Residency License (LERP) 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 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 Residency Program (LERP) 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 LERP.
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 LERP 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.

Learn more about becoming a secondary education teacher in:

Secondary Practitioner Curriculum

The 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 content 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.

How to Apply

Application Deadlines

Applications are encouraged and accepted year-round. Applicants may apply anytime but should submit their application at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester:

fall semester begins in late August
spring semester begins in late January
summer semester has multiple start options

Reach out to the MAT student success coordinator, TJ Duntz (tduntz@k-state.edu), with application questions, planning and course enrollment guidance or initial program onboarding.

31-33 credit hours

100% online

Same tuition wherever you live

$551.14 per credit hour*

Learn how past students found their pathway to teaching

Dr. Thomas Vontz, program director and professor, shares how K-State's MAT program will help you succeed.

*Tuition rate is based on 2024-2025 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.