Program Overview

Master of Arts in Teaching Unified Elementary and Special Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching Unified Elementary and Special Education is a flexible, online master's program designed for career changers. This program prepares students for K-6 teacher certification in both elementary general and special education positions.

Program Benefits

• Elementary + Special Education in One Degree: Earning the Elementary Education Unified (K-6) license qualifies students 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.
• 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: Students learn today's most essential practices, including 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: 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, combining research-based preparation with practical, classroom-based experiences.

Program Tracks

The elementary MAT offers two flexible tracks:

• Practitioner track: For students who pursue the MAT while teaching full-time. Practitioner track students are required to hold a Limited Elementary Residency Program (LERP) License.
• License-seeking track: For students who pursue the MAT while continuing their current employment.

Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements. Additional documentation includes:

• Statement of objectives
• Resume
• Names and emails of three professional and/or academic references
• Transcripts for international students needing GPA translation
• Proof of English Language Proficiency for applicants whose primary language is not English

Curriculum

Unified Practitioner Curriculum

• Pre-requisite Core Courses (16 credits)
  • EDCI 702 - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (3 credits)
  • EDCI 710 - Social Foundations of Education (3 credits)
  • EDCI 886 - Seminar in C&I (Orientation to Teaching) (2 credits)
  • EDSP 711 - Characteristics of Exceptionalities (3 credits)
  • EDSP 743 - Intensive Intervention for Dyscalculia (1 credit)
  • EDSP 744 - Intensive Intervention for Dyslexia (1 credit)
  • EDSP 777 – Social Emotional Learning & Behavior Management (3 credits)
• Practitioner Courses (15 credits)
  • EDCI 791 - Teaching Science and Math in the Elementary School (4 credits)
  • EDCI 792 - Teaching Social Studies, Reading, and Literacy in the Elementary School (4 credits)
  • EDCI 793 - Teaching Health, Movement, and Fine Arts in Elementary Schools (3 credits)
  • EDCI 800* - Teaching Practicum (2 credits)
  • EDSP 785 - High Incidence Practicum I (1 credit)
  • EDSP 835 - Individualized Education Program (1 credit)
• Culminating Courses (5 credits)
  • EDCI 801** - Internship in K-12 Schools (4 credits)
  • EDCI 890 - Master's Project (1 credit)

Unified License-Seeking Curriculum

• Pre-requisite Core Courses (14 credits)
  • EDCI 702 - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (3 credits)
  • EDCI 710 - Social Foundations of Education (3 credits)
  • EDSP 711 - Characteristics of Exceptionalities (3 credits)
  • EDSP 743 - Intensive Intervention for Dyscalculia (1 credit)
  • EDSP 744 - Intensive Intervention for Dyslexia (1 credit)
  • EDSP 777 – Social Emotional Learning & Behavior Management (3 credits)
• Practitioner Courses (15 credits)
  • EDCI 791 - Teaching Science and Math in the Elementary School (4 credits)
  • EDCI 792 - Teaching Social Studies, Reading, and Literacy in the Elementary School (4 credits)
  • EDCI 793 - Teaching Health, Movement, and Fine Arts in Elementary Schools (3 credits)
  • EDCI 800* - Teaching Practicum (2 credits)
  • EDSP 785 - High Incidence Practicum I (1 credit)
  • EDSP 835 - Individualized Education Program (1 credit)
• Culminating Courses (5 credits)
  • EDCI 801** - Internship in K-12 Schools (4 credits)
  • EDCI 890 - Master's Project (1 credit)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Several scholarship and financial aid opportunities are available, including:

1. Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship
2. K-State Online Scholarships
3. Unified Scholarship
4. Federal Loan Forgiveness for Teachers
5. FAFSA

Careers

There are significant teacher shortages in both general and special education in Kansas and nationwide, creating strong opportunities and long-term career stability for graduates of the MAT Unified program.

Technology Requirements

Students are required to obtain a tablet (e.g., iPad) and video recording technology to complete their teaching internship, enabling real-time and video classroom observations.

FAQs

MAT Unified Elementary Practitioner FAQs

1. Do I need to mark practitioner on my application?
2. Who will serve as my cooperating teacher?
3. How do I opt-in to the MAT practitioner?
4. What is the degree and GPA requirement?
5. What tests are required?
6. Is the curriculum the same for MAT Unified practitioners?
7. Where is the best place to search for teaching jobs?
8. Is there a cap on the number of practitioners?
9. Are practitioners assigned a GradCat?
10. As a practitioner, am I still eligible for financial aid?
11. Do I need a passing PRAXIS test score to participate?
12. Is there a time limit to complete the program?
13. Will the degree transfer to other states?

MAT Unified Elementary License-Seeking FAQs

1. What is the degree and GPA requirement?
2. What tests are required?
3. How do students complete field experiences?
4. Will the degree transfer to other states?
5. Can I continue to work in my current position?
6. I am a para-educator. Will my job "count" for my field experiences?