Master of Arts in Teaching Unified Elementary and Special Education

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

Program-Specific 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. The fall semester begins in late August, the spring semester begins in late January, and the summer semester has multiple start options. Reach out to K-State Online (online@k-state.edu) with application questions or check with MAT student success coordinator, TJ Duntz (tduntz@k-state.edu) for course enrollment guidance.

Additional Documentation

• Statement of objectives: You will be asked to answer the following questions in video format within the application. A computer camera and microphone are required. You can record your answers as many times as necessary.
• Why are you interested in this program?
• Share any experiences you've had working with children, including those with disabilities.
• Why do you think you would be a successful teacher?
• Resume
• Names and emails of three professional and/or academic references
• If you are an international student and you need your GPA translated to a 4.0 scale, send your transcripts to tvontz@k-state.edu.
• Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit proof of English Language Proficiency. Applicants must have a satisfactory in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing Systems (ELTS) or Pearson Test of English (PTEE). The test date should be no older than 18 months from the application deadline. An applicant who has received a degree in the last two years from a United States college or university is exempt from this requirement.

There are significant teacher shortages in both elementary general education classrooms and elementary special education settings in Kansas and nationwide. This high demand creates strong career opportunities and long-term career prospects for graduates of K-State's Unified MAT program.

The Unified Elementary and Special Education License-Seeking track is for you if you pursue the MAT while being a full time student or choose to continue your current employment.

What courses will I take? Learn more about the courses in this program.

Master of Arts in Teaching

Final Project: teaching and learning portfolio during the final semester.

Technology Requirements: tablet (e.g., iPad) and video recording technology.

The Unified Practitioner track provides an additional pathway to the classroom. This program allows admitted Unified MAT students to apply for Kansas teaching positions and complete their program while serving as the teacher of record in a K-6 general education classroom or K-6 high incidence special education setting.

Unified practitioners take the same curriculum as the License-Seeking track, but are also required to take EDCI 886: Orientation to Teaching (2 credits) to help prepare them for full-time teaching. To pursue the Limited Elementary Residency Program (LERP) License, students must have successfully completed the first six program credit hours and register in EDCI 886. Field experience courses are conducted through the practitioner’s employment setting.

What courses will I take? Learn more about the courses in this program.

Master of Arts in Teaching

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

1. Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship: Provides $3,400 per semester for fall and spring. Apply before June 1 to be placed in the priority pool.
2. K-State Online Scholarships: Multiple opportunities providing $1,000-$1,500 per semester. Deadlines are April 1 (summer), June 1 (fall), and Nov. 1 (spring).
3. Federal Loan Forgiveness for Teachers: Available if you're willing to teach in a low-income school for five consecutive years, up to $17,500.
4. FAFSA: Completing the FAFSA is required for eligibility for several of the assistance programs above.
5. SkillBridge: 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.
6. Additional financial assistance can be found on the scholarships webpage.

View an estimate of a student’s educational expenses for an academic year.

What are the degree and GPA requirements?
To be admitted to the MAT Unified program, you'll need a bachelor's degree (in any field) with a 3.0 GPA overall or most recent 60 credit hours. If your GPA is below 3.0, contact Dr. Vontz (tvontz@ksu.edu) to explore options.

What are the admission requirements?
All students applying to the graduate school are required to meet the general university admission requirements.

What tests are required?
No tests are required to be admitted to the Unified MAT. To become certified in Kansasater program completion, you’ll need to complete a background check and pass the Kansas State Department of Education required content tests — Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (7001) and Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355). K-State recommends taking the tests during the semester in which you are student teaching.

How do students complete field experiences in the MAT Unified program?
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 some students may have a longer commute to their placement than others. MAT students are required to obtain a device that enable recording, such as a tablet or video-enable phone. The combination of these technologies enables real-time and video classroom observations and evalution. Questions about field experiences should be directed to Dr. Wertzberger (ejm7777@ksu.edu).

Will the degree and teaching license transfer to other states?
Once you're licensed to teach in Kansas, you can transfer your license to other states upon completion of any additional requirement for that state. See other state-specific requirements.

Can I continue to work in my current position?
Yes. However, during the semester you are enrolled in EDCI 800 and EDSP 785, you are required to complete 64 hours of teaching experience (approximately six hours per week) in coordination with your assigned cooperating teacher and school. During EDCI 801, you’ll complete 12 weeks of full-time student teaching and won’t 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 where 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 experience as a para.

Is prior teaching experience required?
Prior teaching experience is not required for entry to the MAT program.

What materials are needed for the application?
Applicants should provide a video essay addressing why they're interested in the program, their prior experience working with students, and why they believe they would be a successful teacher; a copy of their resume; and names and emails of three professional or academic references.

A full list of requirements is available at K-State Online.

What is the application timeline, and are GRE scores required?
Applications are encouraged and accepted year-round. Applicants may apply at any time, but applications should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester. The fall semester begins in late August, the spring semester in late January, and the summer term begins in the middle of May.

Reach out to K-State Online (online@k-state.edu) with application questions or check with MAT student success coordinator, TJ Duntz (tduntz@k-state.edu), for course enrollment guidance.

GRE scores are not required for admission to the MAT program.

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 Unified 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 KS LERP license must complete the program within two years, as required by KSDE.

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 some students may have a longer commute to their placement than others. MAT students are required to obtain a device that enable recording, such as a tablet or video-enable phone. The combination of these technologies enables real-time and video classroom observations and evalution. 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 K–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.

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.

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 Unified program, and can it be completed part-time or only full-time? You can complete the MAT Unified program in as little as 16 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.

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 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.

What grade levels can I teach after completing the MAT Unified program?
Those completing the Unified MAT program will be licensed to teach kindergarten through sixth grade in Kansas.

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.

Yes, and it's substantial. All secondary 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 Scholarship provide $1,000–$1,500 per semester. Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness of up to $17,500 is available if you teach in a qualifying school for five years. Attending a free MAT informational webinar can also get you an application fee waiver.

What are the tuition costs, and are there scholarships or assistantships available?
MAT courses are the same rate for all students regardless of residency. View an estimate of a student’s educational expenses for an academic year. Or for a further breakdown view the comprehensive tuition and fee schedule.

Are there tuition payment plans or financial aid options for international students?
Yes. Kansas State University offers monthly tuition payment plans, assistantships, and a variety of scholarship opportunities. Graduate student scholarships for international students are primarily distributed according to your academic program of choice. Please contact the department your program is housed in for additional information. Students should also explore Graduate School, 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.