Teaching

Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching for initial teacher certification in Kentucky is designed for an applicant who has never been certified as a teacher but has earned a bachelor’s degree related to a certifiable major. (Students who plan to complete one of the state-approved teacher education programs at the University of Pikeville and plan to teach in a state other than Kentucky are strongly encouraged to contact the teacher certification agency to review all licensure requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice. The Education Commission of the States provides a link to each state’s licensure website, which can be accessed at: https://www.ecs.org/teacher-license-reciprocity-state-profiles/.) Courses are seven weeks in length with practicum/clinical courses being 16 weeks in length. The MAT Program is designed to be completed within a two-year timeframe with additional semesters if needed. *Prerequisite courses are required for the elementary program. Additional courses may be required based on an initial transcript review of the BS/BA Degree if the earned credit hours in the content are deemed to be insufficient. Therefore, a transcript review must be completed before admission to the program.

There are two certification options for the MAT Program:

Traditional Route - Master of Arts in Teaching (39 credit hours): 

Traditional track candidates will complete their initial coursework in addition to Clinical Practice I, which will require 20 hours per week in a P-12 classroom, and Clinical Practice II: Student Teaching, which will require 70 instructional days in a P-12 classroom. Clinical Practice I and II are planned for Year 2.

Option 6 Route - Master of Arts in Teaching (36 credit hours): 

With the Option 6 route, once admitted to the program and if hired by a school district, an individual is issued a one-year Temporary Provisional (TP) certificate upon completion of the appropriate application started by the district. The TP can be renewed four additional years beyond the initial issuance - a total of five years to complete the program. Option 6 candidates will complete a practicum course each semester.

Both tracks require the completion of Research I and Research II as the candidates will engage in action research projects required for their Master’s Degree.

Applicants to either the traditional route or Option 6 route Program in Elementary Education at the University of Pikeville must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field with a non-rounded, overall 2.75 GPA. *In addition, the following pre-requisite courses are required for applicants seeking initial elementary certification through the MAT Program:

Note: Applicants who have not completed the pre-requisite courses as part of their required bachelor’s degree may choose to complete them through the University of Pikeville or through another accredited institution. Applicants to the MAT Program in Elementary Education may be considered for admission with one prerequisite course remaining but the course must be completed.

Master of Arts in Teaching – Traditional Route

Preliminary Step

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution.

Step 1: General Admission to the Graduate Teacher Education Program for the Traditional Route Master of Arts in Teaching Degree

• Complete an online application.
• Hold a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution with required prerequisite courses completed
• Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate coursework sent directly from the credit-granting institution to UPIKE. Official transcripts must show a minimum, non-rounded, cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from the degree-granting institution and, if applicable, a GPA of 3.0 on all graduate coursework.
• Provide evidence of English proficiency (i.e., TOEFL score of 80 on the iBT or 550 on the PBT) if the applicant’s first language is not English.
• Agree to uphold and sign the following: Character and Fitness Form, Commitment to the Professional Dispositions, Curriculum Contract, Professional Code of Ethics, and Model Code of Ethics.
• Review MAT Program requirements (Traditional Route) in the catalog.
• Submit three Recommendation for Admission forms that provide evidence of behaviors and dispositions related to professionalism, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, diversity, and professional growth and reflection expected of a preservice teacher.

• Submit a satisfactory Background Check.

  Important Information for Traditional MAT Program Candidates:

  • A MAT candidate who falls below a cumulative, non-rounded 3.0 GPA will be placed on probation. A candidate on probation will be permitted to repeat courses to raise the GPA. If the candidate fails to reach a 3.0 GPA within two semesters, then he/she will be dropped from the MAT Program.

Step 2: Admission to the Traditional Route MAT Teacher Education Program: MAT Clinical I

• Be enrolled at the University of Pikeville.
• Submit a formal application for admission to the Patton College of Education for MAT Clinical I.
• Maintain a minimum, non-rounded cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. No course credit will be awarded for a course grade below a C.
• Have on file in the Patton College of Education a signed and dated Verification of Federal Background Check from the district where the candidate will be placed for MAT Clinical I and a Child Abuse and Neglect Check. These reports must not show any convictions that would disallow the candidate from serving as an employee in the school district. The district will decide if the candidate’s background check is appropriate for placement in the district for MAT Clinical I.
• Complete a pre-assessment of the KTPS/InTASC Standards
• Score at the Demonstrates Level or higher on the Candidate Digital Portfolio demonstrating an understanding of the KTPS/InTASC Standards
• Successfully complete all required course-embedded field/clinical experience activities
• Score at a Level 3 or higher on the Candidate Dispositions Inventory
• Submit passing scores on the Praxis Subject Assessments required by Kentucky for the area of certification being sought

Step 3: Admission to Traditional Route MAT Clinical II: Student Teaching

• Submit a formal application for admission to MAT Clinical II
• Maintain a minimum, non-rounded cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. No course credit will be awarded for a course grade below a C.
• Have on file in the Patton College of Education a signed and dated Verification of Federal Background Check from the district where the candidate will be placed for MAT Clinical II and a Child Abuse and Neglect Check. These reports must not show any convictions that would disallow the candidate from serving as an employee in the school district. The district will decide if the candidate’s background check is appropriate for placement in the district for MAT Clinical II.
• Score at the Developing Level or higher on the Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) Tasks
• Successfully complete all required course-embedded field/clinical experiences
• Log the required clinical hours into the Kentucky Field Experience Tracking System (KFETS). A minimum of 200 clock hours are required. The MAT University Supervisor will verify hours before admission to Clinical II. These hours must occur in a variety of primary through grade 12 school settings which allow the candidate engagement with diverse populations as required by 16 KAR 5:040.
• Score at a Level 3 or higher on the Candidate Dispositions Inventory
• Score of Developing or higher on the End-of-Clinical I Assessment
• Submit passing scores on the Praxis PLT required for the area of teacher certification being sought. (Note: If a candidate does not meet the required benchmark score, he/she may retake the Praxis PLT during Clinical II: Student Teaching. Candidates must meet the state-required benchmark score before they can be recommended for certification. Those candidates who meet all degree requirements will receive their diplomas, but they cannot be recommended for teacher certification until the required score has been met. MAT candidates who meet all criteria will be recommended for teacher certification at a Rank II level.)
• If a candidate does not meet the required score on the Praxis PLT by program exit, he/she cannot be recommended for certification until the Praxis PLT is passed.
• Successfully complete the action research capstone project.

Step 4: Traditional Route MAT Program Exit

• Complete a minimum of 33 hours of the 39-hour Traditional MAT Program at the University of Pikeville
• Complete the program within the five-year time limit
• Maintain a minimum, non-rounded GPA of 3.0 or higher. No course credit will be awarded for a course grade below a C
• Score at the Developing Level or higher on the assigned Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) Tasks. This will include required formal observations by the MAT University Supervisor and the school-based clinical teacher
• Complete a post assessment of the KTPS/InTASC Standards
• Score at a Level 3 or higher on the Candidate Dispositions Inventory
• Score at the Developing Level or higher on each of the KTPS/InTASC Standards on the Exit Conference and Summative Evaluation
• Complete all required surveys
• Complete the Graduation Application and pay the required fee

Master of Arts in Teaching – Option 6 Route

Preliminary Step

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution.

Step 1: General Admission to the Graduate Teacher Education Program for the Option 6 Master of Arts in Teaching Degree

• Complete an online application
• Hold a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution with required prerequisite courses completed
• Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate coursework from the degree-granting institution demonstrating a minimum, non-rounded, cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and if applicable, a GPA of 3.0 on all graduate coursework (Up to 6 credit hours of approved graduate-level coursework can be accepted for transfer credit. A transcript review must be completed to ensure equivalency to our program)
• Provide evidence of English proficiency (i.e., TOEFL score of 80 on the iBT or 550 on the PBT) if the applicant’s first language is not English
• Applicants may apply while not yet employed but must be employed in a Kentucky-accredited school by the start of the semester to continue in the MAT Option 6 Program
• Agree to uphold and sign the following: Character and Fitness form, Commitment to the Professional Dispositions, Curriculum Contract, Kentucky Professional Code of Ethics, and Model Code of Ethics
• Review the MAT Program (Option 6) requirements in the catalog
• Submit three Recommendation for Admission forms that provide evidence of behaviors and dispositions related to critical thinking creativity, collaboration, and communication as well as the professional dispositions expected of a teacher

• Submit a satisfactory background check

  Important Information for Option 6 MAT Program Candidates:

  • Option 6 MAT Program candidates must be employed in a Kentucky-accredited school. Once employment is secured in a full-time teaching position within a Kentucky school, the CA-TP form must be completed, and a temporary provisional certificate will be issued, which is valid for one year and must be renewed each additional year to continue in the program. The candidate will have five years to complete the program.
  • A MAT candidate who falls below a cumulative, non-rounded 3.0 GPA will be placed on probation. A candidate on probation will be permitted to repeat courses to raise the GPA. If the candidate fails to reach a 3.0 GPA within two semesters, then he/she will be dropped from the MAT Program.
  • A MAT candidate employed via a Temporary Provisional Certification whose employment is terminated by the candidate or the employing district for unethical practices will be suspended from the MAT in Education Program until the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) rules on the district's allegation. When a decision is rendered, the candidate will either be exited from or reinstated in the program, based on EPSB's decision.
  • In all cases where employment has ended, the candidate must alert the UPIKE Graduate Program Manager to determine if there are other options because continuation in the Option 6 Program requires continued employment.

Step 2: Option 6 Route MAT Program Midpoint Assessments for Admission to Candidacy (End of Year 1 at Completion of 18 credit hours)

• Maintain a minimum, non-rounded cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (No course credit will be awarded for a course grade below a C.)
• Score at the Developing Level or higher on the assigned Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) Tasks. This will include formal observations by the MAT University Supervisor and the school-based clinical teacher.
• Complete a pre-assessment of the KTPS/InTASC Standards
• Successfully complete all required course-embedded field/clinical experiences
• Score at a Level 3 or higher on the Candidate Dispositions Inventory
• Score at the Demonstrates Level or higher on the Candidate Digital Portfolio demonstrating an understanding of the KTPS/InTASC Standards
• Successfully complete Practicum I and Practicum II
• Submit passing scores on the Praxis Subject Assessment(s) required in Kentucky for the certification area being sought (Note: Candidates who do not meet benchmarks scores for the Praxis Subject Assessments can retake the tests after admission to candidacy. However, candidates must meet required benchmark scores before they can be recommended for teacher certification.)
• Take the Praxis PLT

Step 3: Option 6 Route MAT Program Exit

• Complete a minimum of 30 hours of the 36-hour program at the University of Pikeville
• Complete the program within the five-year time limit
• Maintain a minimum, non-rounded GPA of 3.0 or higher (No course credit will be awarded for a course grade below a C.)
• Score at the Developing Level or higher on the assigned Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) Tasks. This will include formal observations by the MAT University Supervisor and the school-based clinical teacher
• Complete a post assessment of the KTPS/InTASC Standards
• Score at a level 3 or higher on the Candidate Dispositions Inventory.
• Score at the Developing level or higher for each KTPS/InTASC Standard on the Exit Conference and Summative Evaluation
• Successfully complete the action research capstone project
• Successfully complete Practicum III and Practicum IV
• Submit passing scores on the Praxis PLT. (Note: Candidates must meet the state-required benchmark score before they can be recommended for teacher certification. Those candidates who meet all degree requirements will receive their diplomas, but they cannot be recommended for teacher certification until the required score has been met. MAT candidates who meet all criteria will be recommended for teacher certification at a Rank II level.)
• Complete the required surveys
• Complete the Graduation Application and pay the required fee

Classification Policy

All applicants to the Traditional Master of Arts in Teaching Program for initial Kentucky teacher certification may only take 18 credit hours before application for full admission to the MAT Program for Clinical I is required. Once full admission requirements are met, the applicant will be considered a candidate for the Master of Arts in Teaching.

All applicants to the Option 6 Master of Arts in Teaching Program for initial Kentucky teacher certification may only take 18 credit hours before application to candidacy is required. Once admission to candidacy requirements are met, the applicant will be considered a candidate for the Master of Arts in Teaching.

Transfer Policy

No more than six semester hours of graduate coursework may be transferred to the University of Pikeville to be

applied for credit toward the Master of Arts in Teaching Program. These hours must be completed in a state or nationally accredited teacher education program, be acceptable substitutions for required coursework for the University of Pikeville Master of Arts in Teaching Program, and the applicant must have earned a “B” or better for any course to be considered transferable.

The University Registrar will determine the transferability of any course completed at another institution after consultation with the Patton College of Education Dean to determine if the course is an acceptable substitution aligned with the program goals. Any transferable coursework must be at the graduate level and must have been completed within the last three years prior to admission to the MAT Program. (Applicant must request a review of graduate coursework that they wish to transfer.

Academic Advisor

Each applicant in the University of Pikeville Master of Arts in Teaching Program is assigned an advisor from within the Patton College of Education who will guide him or her in completing educational goals, including requirements for the degree.

Orientation

All initial applicants will be provided with information at the beginning of their first semester on how to access UPIKE email, Canvas, library resources, and the MAT Program Handbook. They will also learn how to contact their academic advisor.

Graduate Course Load

Full-time status in the Graduate Teacher Education Program requires enrollment in six semester hours of graduate level coursework. However, to stay on track to complete the program within the planned two-year timeframe, the student must follow the course progressions from the curriculum map for his/her program, which will require more than six hours per semester.

Good Standing

The applicant or candidate must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate level course work to be considered in “good standing.”

• Repeat Policy: Courses may be repeated twice without special approval.
• Withdrawal Policy: An applicant or candidate wishing to withdraw from a course must consult with his or her graduate advisor. Withdrawal becomes effective only when an official notice has been presented to the University Registrar. Anyone who wishes to withdraw from the University must submit a completed “Withdrawal Form” to the University Registrar.
• Probation and Suspension Policy: When an applicant or candidate’s GPA falls below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, he or she will automatically be placed on academic probation for one semester during which the GPA must be raised to the required 3.0 level. If the GPA is not successfully raised after one semester of probation, the applicant or candidate may be officially suspended from the program. If an applicant or candidate is officially suspended from the Graduate Teacher Education Program, he or she must remain inactive for one semester before re-applying for admission.
• Readmission Policy: An applicant or candidate may be inactive for up to one year for any reason except official suspension without reapplying for admission. The applicant or candidate will be required to complete a readmission form from the graduate education office and must attend the Campus Orientation.