Teach Kentucky Partner
Spalding University
Spalding University helps aspiring educators earn their MAT while gaining hands-on experience as full-time teachers in Kentucky classrooms.
Alternative Certification Program
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Alternative Certification program at Spalding University allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field to earn a master’s degree and obtain initial teacher certification in approximately two years. Designed with an “earn as you learn” model, candidates work as full-time certified teachers in accredited public, private, or parochial schools while completing their graduate coursework. The program is CAEP-accredited and approved by the Kentucky Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB).
Available certification areas include:
- All Grades (P–12): Art, Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD), and Spanish.
- Middle Grades (5–9): English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
- Secondary Grades (8–12): Biology, Business and Marketing, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies.
MAT Program at UofL
What Candidates Can Expect
- Class Structure & Workload: Coursework is completed across four to five semesters with evening, Saturday, and summer classes designed to accommodate full-time working teachers.
- Built-In Rest Breaks: Courses follow a semester schedule with a built-in one-week break every eight weeks to help students recharge.
- Classroom Supervision & Mentorship: Candidates are assigned a dedicated University Supervisor to support their transition into the classroom and provide assistance with personal and professional challenges.
- Collaborative Learning: Candidates move through the program in cohorts, providing opportunities to share experiences, problem-solve classroom challenges, and build peer networks.
- Partnership Options: Spalding collaborates closely with Teach Kentucky and local school districts—most notably Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS)—to place candidates directly into classrooms.
Education guidance
Program Highlights
- Earn While You Learn: Candidates hold a paid, full-time teaching position while completing their degree requirements.
- Affordable Tuition: Tuition is priced at approximately $450 per credit hour.
- No Admissions PRAXIS Requirement: The PRAXIS content area exam is not required for admission into the alternative track.
- Practitioner-Led Instruction: Courses are taught by experienced educators and scholars who tailor coursework to real-world classroom expectations.
- Mission & Community Focus: The program emphasizes compassionate action, social justice, and learner-centered instruction tailored for diverse urban school environments.
“We believe that our intimate cohort model is giving these teachers extraordinary support as they start their careers as teachers in this community.”
— Chris Walsh
Dean, Spalding University School of Education
Connect with Admissions
Partnering with Teach Kentucky
Our work with Teach Kentucky is a collaborative and team oriented approach to the recruitment and retention of outstanding individuals who have the desire to become exemplary teachers for the success of all students. This goal is accomplished by:
- Spalding University faculty participating in the review and vetting of all application materials that are submitted to the Teach Kentucky program.
- Based upon the review of individual applicant materials Spalding University faculty make recommendations to Teach Kentucky for possible content areas of certification for each individual applicant.
- Spalding University faculty also participate in the Teach Kentucky recruitment weekends and the interview process for selection of applicants to participate in the Teach Kentucky program and the Spalding University Alternative Teacher Certification Program.
Additionally, Spalding University faculty meet with and regularly communicate with members of the Teach Kentucky organization to provide on-going support to participants for successful completion of the MAT program culminating in graduation and a Kentucky teacher certificate.
Helpful Links
➞ For more information: https://spalding.edu/programs/master-of-arts-in-teaching-traditional-or-alternative/
➞ To apply: https://spalding.edu/apply/
