Masters of Arts in Teaching
Dear Prospective MAT Student:
Thank you for your interest in the Nationally Recognized Early Childhood Master of Arts in Teaching program at Kent State University. Please review the information in this letter carefully. We believe you will find this information helpful as you begin your application to the program.
The Early Childhood MAT program is for those individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in another subject area and who are interested in becoming certified to teach Preschool through Grade 3 in the state of Ohio.
The MAT program at Kent State is an 18-month intensive, 5-semester program. You will attend classes during Summer I, Fall, Spring, Summer I, and Fall. You will graduate in December. We are in the process of moving some courses/content to an on-line format for the convenience of our dedicated adult students.
Please check Kent State's official academic calendar for specific semester start dates:
http://www.kent.edu/academics/resources/academic-calendar.cfm
Due to the intensive nature of the program, you will observe and teach in a field site during most of your MAT experience. Most students who are employed during this program need to do so after the end of the school day, typically after 3:30PM, and on Fridays, Saturdays and/or Sundays.
Transcript Review
Depending on the coursework taken for completion of your initial degree, you may have to take one or more prerequisite courses, (i.e., child development, math and/or science), in addition to the required MAT course sequence. Many of these courses must be taken prior to beginning the program. You must submit your complete undergraduate transcript(s) for review. If you have completed any graduate coursework, you should submit those transcripts as well. Once your transcripts have been reviewed, we will let you know if there are any prerequisite courses you must take. Transcript review will take about four weeks.
Please have your transcript(s) mailed to:
Wendy Bedrosian, PhD
Assistant Professor
P.O. Box 5190
401 (B) White Hall
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242-0001
The first step in applying for the Early Childhood MAT program is to gain admission as a graduate student of the University. Inquiries and application to the University are handled by the Division of Graduate Studies in Cartwright Hall. You must apply on-line and send all required documents to the Division of Graduate Studies (650 Hilltop Drive, Kent, OH 44242-0001). Visit their website for additional information http://www.kent.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-programs.cfm
If you have questions about the status of your application, once it has been submitted, you have three options:
- Look on-line to check the status of your application
- Call Graduate Studies at 330-672-2661
- Email Graduate Studies at gradapps@kent.edu
Application to the Early Childhood MAT Program at Kent State University
As soon as you decide to apply, email Kelly Crawford at kcrawf14@kent.edu to request an Early Childhood MAT application packet. Specify in your email that you would like the Early Childhood MAT packet. The application packet will provide all of the information you need to apply to the MAT program. Be sure to include your home address, email address, and phone number in your email. Ms. Crawford will mail you the necessary forms and instructions.
GRE and Praxis
You will need to take the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the mathematics portion of the Praxis I (PPST).
- GRE information is available online at www.gre.org.
- Praxis I information can be obtained from http://www.ets.org/praxis/
Application Due Date & Decision
Your application must be received by March 17th of the year you intend to enroll. You will be contacted to schedule an interview in April. Decisions will be made shortly after the interview.
Financial Aid
For information on financial aid please visit http://www.sfa.kent.edu/
The cost of graduate credit changes periodically. Check the tuition & fees website for current information: http://www.kent.edu/bursar/termdetail/tuition-fee-schedules.cfm
FAQ Early Childhood Education
- I am an undergraduate. Who do I talk to about an ECED major?
If you have not been accepted into the Early Childhood Education Program the place to start is with a professional advising appointment in the Vacca Office of Student Services (VOSS) located in White Hall 304. Here is the link to that website:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/services/index.cfm
- I have a degree in a non-education major. How do I go about earning the early childhood education teaching degree?
The ECED license is for Preschool through Grade 3. Those holding other degrees can apply for the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in ECED. The program of study for that degree is a 19 month, full-time, academic and field based program. More information about that program can be found at http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/eced/degrees.cfm
- I hold an ECED teaching degree. What does the Masters of Education degree in ECED involve?
The KSU ECED M.Ed. program is for those students who hold the ECED license and want to further advance their studies. Admissions for graduate study is through the graduate office:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/academics/index.cfm
The M.Ed. program is designed around student interest area and is a minimum of 32 graduate credit hours. ECED 60152 is required of all students, 12 credit hours beginning with ECED are required as well as an individual exit project. The M.Ed. program of study advising form can be found:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/eced/resources-and-forms.cfm
- Am I able to embed endorsements in my M.Ed. program?
Yes, if you currently hold the ECED B.S. you can quite possibly add an endorsement while earning your masters. Two of the most commonly added endorsements are the ECED Generalist (grades 4-5) endorsement or the Reading endorsement.
The ECED Generalist (grades 4-5) Endorsement information:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/eced/upload/eced_generalist_summer__2011_schedule_2_-2-1.pdf
The Reading Endorsement information:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/le/reading-endorsement.cfm
- I hold a teaching license but would add ECED as a second license to my current license. How do I do this?
The second license program is designed around your current coursework. The second license program of study can be found at:
(sent as attachment, I can't find this currently on our site).
- I would like to add a kindergarten endorsement to my ECED license. How do I do that?
There is no longer a kindergarten only endorsement that can be added to the license. You would need to add the preschool endorsement which includes what you need for age 3 through kindergarten. Preschool Endorsement information:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/eced/resources-and-forms.cfm
- I hold an ECED teaching degree. Can I earn my masters in Curriculum and Instruction or perhaps Special Education?
Yes, admission would still be through the Graduate School http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/academics/index.cfm
You will need to visit each of those specific sites to see what degree requirements entail, but a common link to those sites is through Education, Health, and Human Services website:
- I am an international student and interested in earning an ECED degree at Kent State University.
The first office that you need to contact is the International Students office at KSU. They can advise with admissions, transcript review, visa information, employment stipulations, and more: http://www.kent.edu/internationalstudents/index.cfm
