Master of Arts in Teaching (Initial Licensure): Early Childhood
Dear Prospective Early Childhood MAT Student:
Thank you for your interest in the nationally recognized Early Childhood Education Master of Arts in Teaching program at Kent State University. Please review this information carefully. We believe you will find this information helpful as you begin your application to the program.
Program Overview
The Early Childhood Education MAT program is for those individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree (outside of education) and are interested in becoming licensed to teach Preschool through Grade 5 in the State of Ohio (the Ohio Primary License). This program also allows you to earn a level one Primary Years Program certificate with the International Baccalaureate (IB).
The ECED MAT program at Kent State is an intensive 18-month / 5-semester program that requires full-time study on the Kent campus. The program begins in mid-May (Intersession) and you will attend classes during Summer (I), Fall (I), Spring, Summer (II), and Fall (II). You will complete your student teaching experience in Fall (II) and graduate in December.
The next cohort will start in Summer 2025, with transcripts being reviewed continuously by Erin Harwood or Dr. Julie Stoll. The application deadline for the Summer 2025 cohort is February 1, 2025. Initial licensure programs require a cohort admission review process. Applications will be accepted for this program starting late Summer 2024, but admission decisions will not be made until after the deadline when all completed applications have been submitted.
Due to the intensive nature of the program, you will observe and teach in a field site during most of your ECED MAT experience. It is not recommended that you work during this program. If you do plan to continue employment, you should do so on Fridays, Saturdays and/or Sundays.
Early Childhood MAT Plan of Study (PDF)
Pre-Admission Transcript Review
Depending on the coursework taken for completion of your initial degree, you may have to take one or more prerequisite undergraduate courses, in addition to the required ECED MAT course sequence. Transcripts will be continuously reviewed for prerequisites in math, science, American history, geography and child development leading up to the application deadline. Please email Erin Harwood, Graduate Senior Advisor (eharwood@kent.edu), to request a prerequisite transcript review (attach unofficial transcripts). If you are a current Kent State undergraduate student or a graduate of Kent State, transcripts can be accessed internally with your written authorization to access your Kent State record embedded in your email. Transcript reviews can take a few weeks to complete and return.
Any undergraduate prerequisite coursework deemed necessary can be taken at any Kent State campus, or any other accredited institution (please work with Erin Harwood, Graduate Senior Advisor, to ensure transferability). Prerequisite coursework should be completed no later than May 2025 before the program begins.
Application to the Early Childhood Education MAT Program at Kent State University
For admission requirements, please visit the Early Childhood Education - MAT page of the Kent State University catalog, and select Program Info.
Application to the Early Childhood Education MAT program is online through Graduate Admissions:
For a list of admission requirements and steps on navigating the online graduate admission application process, please see the ECED MAT Application Info packet (PDF).
Financial Aid
For information on financial aid and current tuition rates, please visit the One Stop for Student Services website.