The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) opens a pathway to secondary teaching for career-changers. Students earn a master’s degree and recommendation for a Kansas 6-12 teaching license in agricultural education, English/language arts, mathematics, or social studies OR a Kansas K-12 teaching license in modern languages (Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish). The master’s degree combines rigorous online coursework with field experiences in accredited secondary schools convenient to students in the program. Upon completion, students will be able to apply for teacher certification.
How is the program organized?
The secondary 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 Restricted License.
License-seeking track: For students who pursue the MAT while continuing their current employment.
When can I apply?
Applications are accepted year-round. Applicants should plan to apply within two to three months from the start of the semester. The fall semester begins in late August, the spring semester begins in late January and the summer semester begins in mid-May.
Can I take classes out of order?
No. This program follows a cohort model. All students begin in May and finish in May of the following year. This model allows you to form lasting professional connections with your fellow students and broaden your perspectives about teaching, learning and classroom students.
Are transfer credits accepted?
No transfer credits are accepted.
Do I need a specific bachelor’s degree to be eligible for the program?
No, if you have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, as long as it’s from an accredited institution, you are eligible to apply to the program. Teacher licensure is contingent on passing the appropriate PRAXIS content exam for the chosen track.
How do I complete the teaching internship (field experience)?
You can complete your teaching internship at an accredited school near where you currently live. The program office will help coordinate your placement.
You will use video technology to capture yourself as you are conducting classroom lessons. This allows the program instructors to conduct real-time and video classroom observations and evaluations to help you improve and become an effective teacher.
What technology will I need to complete this program?
To participate in the online courses, you will need a video-enabled (i.e., one with a camera) laptop, tablet or desktop with high-speed internet access.
To participate in the teaching internship (field experience), you will need to video record teaching experiences with adequate sound and have the ability to upload video to K-State’s secure server. You may use any device (e.g., tablet, phone or camera) that allows you to accomplish this task. You must have access to high-speed internet services (either at your home or school) in order to upload videos to the server. This platform allows for real-time feedback, grading and critique of your teaching skills.
Training and technical support will be offered throughout your time in the program.
What tests will be required to earn my teaching license?
To become certified to teach in Kansas, you will need to complete a background check and pass two tests — the Praxis II Principles of Teaching and Learning (PLT) and the Praxis test that corresponds to your specific licensure area. We recommend taking these tests in the spring semester during student teaching.
What is the pass rate for the teacher licensure exams?
We’re pleased to report 97.5% of all MAT students who have completed the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment and the Principles of Teaching and Learning exams have passed.
How much will the program cost to complete?
Tuition is approximately $16,620.03 total. If you don’t already have the required technology, you will need to purchase those items (see question 4 above). In addition, there are fees associated with testing and licensing for the Kansas K-6 licensure or other state licensures.
Do I need to mark practitioner on my application? Students can opt-in to the practitioner track at any time after securing a full-time teaching position.
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 “teachers of record” and serve on a Restricted License
How do I opt-in to the MAT Practitioner? Follow the steps below.
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).
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).
Where is the best place to search for teaching jobs? Every state is a little different. In Kansas the best place is Educate Kansas.
Is there a cap on the number of practitioners? No.
Are practitioners assigned a GradCat? Yes, all practitioners are assigned a GradCat who serves as a mentor, evaluator, and coach throughout the program.
As a practitioner, am I still eligible for financial aid? Yes.
Do I need a passing Praxis test score to participate? Secondary Practitioner students need to have a passing Praxis score.
Is there a time limit to complete the program? KSDE requires students complete their program within two years of apply for their restricted license.
Bachelor’s degree with sufficient background in the content field and 3.0 GPA overall or in the final two years. Each secondary coordinator reviews transcripts (see below). If your GPA is below 3.0, consult your subject area coordinator for suggestions.
Students complete field (student teaching) experiences in accredited schools near where they currently live. 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. For questions about your field experience contact Dr. Wertzberger (ejm7777@k-state.edu).
Will the degree 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).
Is financial aid available?
Yes. There are several scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to you including:
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.
K-State Global Campus 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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. 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.
I am a para-educator. Will my job “count” for my field experiences?
No. Although we might be able to place you in the school in which you work, your work as a para does NOT count toward field experiences. Your field experiences require you to demonstrate additional skills beyond your excellent experiences as a para.
How is the curriculum organized?
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 and Diverse Learners in Content Areas (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