Online Master of Arts in Teaching in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
Expand learning possibilities for young learners
Sidebar
Master of arts in teaching in interdisciplinary early childhood education, online
The online master of arts in teaching (MAT) in interdisciplinary early childhood education (IECE) at the University of Louisville is an alternative teaching certification program designed to prepare career-changing professionals and those with a bachelor’s in a field other than education to work as an early childhood teacher.
Grounded in inclusive practice and interdisciplinary preparation, the online MAT in IECE degree equips you to support young children from birth through kindergarten across diverse educational settings.
Through focused coursework aligned to alternative certification requirements, you will build expertise in child development, assessment and instructional design while preparing to meet state certification standards.
US News & World Report Recognition
The MAT IECE online degree is offered by the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville, a school consistently recognized as Best in the Nation and Best for Veterans by US News & World Report for its graduate education programs academic quality of instruction and student support.
UofL's Online MAT IECE Program
100% online, no GRE required for admission. Apply today and start working toward your teacher certification!
MAT in interdisciplinary early childhood education, 100% online
The big picture
UofL’s MAT in IECE provides a path to the teaching certification for individuals who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in education. The online IECE master's program develops your understanding and awareness of the latest and most effective instructional methods, preparing you to teach diverse groups of learners and address their unique needs.
Designed for professionals transitioning into teaching, this alternative certification pathway allows you to move efficiently toward both a master’s degree and initial certification. Our flexible coursework emphasizes developmentally appropriate practices, inclusive strategies for children with disabilities and collaborative approaches that support families and early learning communities.
The program is structured to help you progress toward certification while building the confidence and instructional foundation needed for real-world classroom settings.
Online MAT IECE degree highlights
- Join a program designed for career changers and non-teaching bachelor’s degree holders.
- Gain the credentials you need to become a teacher – no matter your background or undergraduate degree.
- Develop the skills to effectively work with learners from all backgrounds, address their unique learning needs and make education accessible.
- Learn to construct and adapt instructional methods and curricula for your classroom to engage students in critical thinking and lifelong learning.
- Experience a thoughtfully designed curriculum, emphasizing children's physical development, mental growth and socialization skills.
- Learn from world-class CEHD faculty, who have extensive experience as educators.
Online MAT IECE with alternative certification
If teaching is your calling, the online MAT IECE at UofL helps you follow your passion right away. The alternative certification program within the MAT enables you to immediately seek full-time employment as an early childhood educator in the state of Kentucky. While you have to complete the MAT program to receive your master’s degree credential and your initial teaching certification, once admitted as an “alt. cert.” student, you will be granted a temporary, provisional certification allowing you to get started on your new career right away!
Teaching pathways map
Not sure how this degree maps out for your goals or what online degree is the best option for your career trajectory?
Explore the teaching pathways available through online programs at UofL!
Your future students are waiting. Prepare to teach the next generation and change lives! Need more guidance? Connect with us today.
How to apply to UofL’s online MAT IECE degree
Check out typical application deadlines for the MAT in IECE degree program at UofL and prepare your application packet according to the requirements outlined below.
Applicants who wish to enroll in the alternative certification program can start in the summer term. MAT alternative certification applicants must obtain full-time employment before the fall semester, teaching students in an early childhood classroom.
Application deadlines
| Preferred Deadline | Term | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| October 15 | Spring | January |
| May 1 | Summer | May |
Steps to apply for the online master of arts in teaching in interdisciplinary early childhood education
- Start your application for graduate admission
- Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
- Upload required materials*
- Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. Transcripts are only accepted directly from the institution(s) by email: gradadm@louisville.edu (recommended) or mail: University of Louisville, Graduate School, 2211 S. Brook St., Louisville, KY 40292
- Create a financial plan
Apply Now
Request Info
What are admissions requirements for the online MAT in IECE?
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)
*Required application packet materials include:
- Transcripts showing a grade of C or higher in ENGL 102 (or equivalent) and oral communication courses
- Two professional statement essays describing the applicant’s background and interest in this master’s program
- Three letters of recommendation
- Teacher education resume; follow the resume template when developing your resume
- Signed code of ethics and technology use agreement
- Interview, scheduled upon application review
*Your application portal:
Once you have started the graduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.
Online MAT IECE for out-of-state applicants
Out-of-state applicants should check state authorizations and licensing disclosures for requirements in your state. Please be advised that the University of Louisville cannot guarantee that our program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in your state.
The University of Louisville makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for programs is current; however, licensure requirements are always subject to change. Students should always check with their state licensure board to confirm licensure requirements.
If you have further questions about licensure, please contact our academic advisor at betty.hampton@louisville.edu or view our Professional Licensure page for online programs.
For more information on the application and admission process, please contact our online learning enrollment counselor through an information request.
How much does it cost to earn an online MAT IECE degree at UofL?
Academic year tuition
$638 per credit hour
$250 per credit hour active-duty tuition rate
This program is a Title IV federal financial aid eligible program. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks.
Please note that other fees apply – check our tuition page for all applicable costs.
Tuition, fees and charges are subject to change and effective on the date enacted. For additional information on educational expenses and the cost of attendance, please visit the Student Financial Aid Office website.
Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement?
Many employers have programs available to assist their employees financially in their educational pursuits. Do not miss out on any potential opportunities. Reach out to your organization’s HR department to learn about available options.
What will you learn in the online MAT IECE?
The master of arts in teaching in interdisciplinary early childhood education curriculum integrates early childhood development, instructional methods and assessment practices aligned to alternative certification standards. Students explore developmentally appropriate instruction, inclusive classroom strategies and early childhood assessment while deepening their understanding of children’s cognitive, social and emotional growth. The course sequence is intentionally structured to support certification requirements and classroom readiness.
Online courses
UofL’s online MAT in IECE is available as both an alternative certificate and traditional degree. The traditional degree does not grant you the provisional certificate required to begin teaching immediately.
Online MAT IECE: alternative certification courses
Ideal for those who want to begin their work as a teacher immediately, the alternative certification is a 30-credit-hour program that will grant you a temporary, provisional certification.
To see all available online courses and degree requirements, please visit UofL's Academic Catalog page (select Degree Requirements tab).
Start working on your application and feel free to connect with us anytime if you have questions or need further guidance.
What can I do with a master's in teaching in interdisciplinary early childhood education?
The online MAT IECE program at UofL develops educators who understand child development deeply, design inclusive learning experiences and support the diverse needs of young learners.
The expertise you’ll develop as a student in the MAT in IECE program can prepare you to become an early childhood educator – regardless of your undergraduate background. You’ll learn:
- Research-based approaches to planning and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities, lessons and materials that develop literacy, mathematics, science and social studies learning in young children birth through age five.
- An exploration of curricular approaches and teaching strategies appropriate for inclusive early childhood classroom.
- Strategies and tools for collaborating with other professional and paraprofessionals to support families in providing interventions to infants and toddlers.
According to Lightcast occupation outlook data, jobs in the education field are projected to grow, on average, 2% between 2025-2033, with 188,513 annual job postings. The median salary special education teachers is nearly $46,000 (Lightcast.io).
Career opportunities and earnings vary based on actual job role, geographic location, prior experience and employer. These figures reflect overall industry trends and are not a guarantee of individual results.
What is the career outlook for online MAT IECE graduates?
UofL’s online MAT in IECE leads to a master's in teaching and a “birth through age 5” Kentucky teacher certification. Jobs that graduates may pursue include:
- Kindergarten teacher
- Preschool teacher
- Early childhood special educator
- Developmental interventionist
- Infant-toddler teacher
- Early childhood parent educator
- Special educator for IEPs/IFSPs
- Home-based early childhood teacher
- Itinerant early childhood teacher
- Nursery school teacher
"This program is designed to prepare people for the classroom who have no previous experience, but it is also a great fit for someone who does have classroom experience and lacks their initial certification. The MAT curriculum is designed to prepare you to be an early childhood educator – no matter where you’re starting from."
Betty Doyle, M.Ed.
Program Director
Move forward from passion to profession. Your classroom is waiting!
What your support network looks like
Success in an online graduate program, especially one preparing you to support young children and families, requires more than strong coursework. It requires meaningful, responsive support. From application through graduation, students in the online MAT in interdisciplinary early childhood education program are supported by a dedicated team that understands the realities of working educators and caregivers.
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
Image 
Cameron Murray-Hicks | Online Enrollment Counselor | online@louisville.edu | 800.871.8635 |
Image 
Betty Doyle | Program Director | bsdoyl01@louisville.edu |
502.852.3538
|
Image
Betty Hampton | Director, Educator Preparation Student Services | blhamp01@louisville.edu | 502.852.0411 |
Whether you need more info or are ready to apply and need further guidance, reach out to us – we are here for you!
What else should you know?
The questions and answers below help you learn more about our program, delivery method, application and admission, internship process and options or how to succeed as an online student at UofL and beyond.
Can I teach elementary school with this degree?
No, graduates of the MAT IECE program are qualified to work with children from birth to entry into the primary program, as well as their families. Out-of-state certified teachers should also note that we cannot guarantee that our program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their home state and they are encouraged to review our application tab for more information.
Where can I find state licensure information?
For more information about professional licensure, you can view our Professional Licensure page for online programs.
Which term should I apply for?
Applicants who wish to enroll in the alternative certification program can start in the spring or summer term and must obtain full-time employment teaching students in an early childhood classroom before the start of the fall semester. Those who wish to start the program in the fall semester will enroll in the traditional option until they obtain employment. If you have questions, contact our academic advisor, Betty Hampton at betty.hampton@louisville.edu
Can I start teaching with this degree?
If you pursue the alternative certification pathway within the MAT, you would be able to immediately seek full-time employment as an early childhood educator in the state of Kentucky (requirements for other states may vary). While you must complete the MAT program to receive your master’s degree and your initial teaching certification, once admitted as an alternative certification student, you will be granted a temporary, provisional certification allowing you to get started on your new career right away!
Is financial aid available for this program?
Yes, there is financial aid available for this program. You can learn more by visiting our Financial Aid tab on the tuition page.
Whether you have more questions or need further guidance, reach out to us – we are here for you! Let's help you get started!
