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By: Stacey Walters | December 18, 2025
The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) is proud to announce the official approval of its new Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs in Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education and Secondary Education, with enrollment beginning in Spring 2026.
“The approval of our new MAT programs represents an important step in expanding access to high-quality teacher preparation while addressing the growing need for certified educators across our region and beyond,” said Dean of the Patton College of Education Coletta Parsley, Ed.D. “These programs are designed to support aspiring teachers who have bachelor’s degrees in certifiable content areas but who have never achieved teacher certification. The MAT Programs will provide flexible pathways to prepare applicants to positively impact today’s classrooms in meaningful ways.”
The MAT programs are designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking initial teacher certification at the elementary, middle grades or high school levels. Offered as a two-year graduate program, the MAT provides two pathways to certification: a 36-credit-hour Option 6 route and a 39-credit-hour traditional route.
The Option 6 route allows candidates to complete the MAT program while actively teaching. Applicants pursuing this pathway must secure a teaching position and will complete program coursework concurrently with their classroom responsibilities.
The MAT program is intended for applicants who have not previously been certified as teachers and who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a certifiable major with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75. A transcript review is required prior to enrollment, and prerequisite coursework may be necessary based on the review’s results.
MAT University Supervisor Jill Maynard, Ph.D., will support the candidates throughout their clinical and field experiences. Maynard will serve as a key point of contact for students as they progress through the program, working closely with partner schools to ensure that candidates are well-prepared for the classroom and certification requirements.
“I look forward to working with our MAT Program candidates as they progress through their clinical experiences in both the Option 6 and Traditional routes,” said Maynard. “As the MAT University Supervisor, I plan to provide ongoing support to help them reach their teaching goals.”
UPIKE is also an approved institution for the federal TEACH Grant, which provides financial assistance to students preparing to teach in high-need fields. Additional information about the TEACH Grant is available at studentaid.gov/teach. Questions regarding financial aid may be directed to (606) 218-5254.
Prospective students seeking more information about certifiable majors should contact Danielle Coleman at (606) 218-5009 or via email at daniellecoleman@upike.edu.