Requirements for a Master's in Education in Kentucky

M.A. in Education at UKY

• The master of arts in education offered by UKY focuses on the age level for which the teacher is planning to specialize (for example, the Middle School Teacher Education Program) or on a specific area of study such as science, English or social studies. Each of these programs requires approximately two years or 30+ semester hours of coursework, including classroom and online instruction, hands-on classroom teacher-in-training work, and a final project such as a research project or portfolio.

M.A. in Teaching at ULOU

• ULOU offers a number of master of arts in teaching (MAT) degrees geared toward age level or subject area each with specific requirements for graduation. For example, the art education master's requires 36 semester hours of coursework, midpoint and certification assessments, passing scores on the PRAXIS and PLT teacher-qualification exams, and a positive recommendation from the Middle/Secondary Program Committee. MAT candidates must maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

M.A. in Education at NKU

• NKU offers a master of arts in education in instructional leadership. This degree allows certified teachers with three years' teaching experience to be school principals. The degree requires 30 semester hours of coursework, maintaining a 3.0 grade point average, a satisfactory professional portfolio, and passing school leaders licensure exams.

In-Service and Pre-Licensure Master's Degrees

• Two ways to pursue a master's degree in Kentucky are pre-licensure and in-service. Prospective teachers may pursue a pre-licensure master's degree directly after they earn their undergraduate degree and before they take certification exams. These degrees may allow the new teacher to start at a higher level of teaching and to earn better starting salary.

  Requirements for in-service degrees are similar to other programs: usually 30+ semester hours of coursework, a portfolio or project, and passing the appropriate exams. Most of Kentucky's institutions that offer graduate degrees in education have in-service programs available to certified and working teachers who want to advance their careers and improve their teaching skills while they are working.