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Master of Arts in Teaching 
Elementary Option Licensure Program 

�ճ�� EIU Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Option Program is recruiting applicants and will begin classes starting June 1, 2026. All coursework for the cohort will be conducted online. A required in-person orientation on the EIU campus will be held Friday, May 29, 2026. 

Candidates who have completed bachelor’s degree are eligible for admission to the program. Candidates must have at least 32 semester hours of coursework in English, mathematics, science, and social science. 

Candidates must have had a 2.65 GPA or higher as an undergraduate. Candidates who do not meet the 2.65 GPA requirement must earn a 3.0 GPA on the first 12 hours of MAT graduate coursework or have earned a 3.0 GPA on 12 semester hours of course work related to their content area. 

Candidates will take four online courses in the Summer semester (See program sequence below). During the following Fall and Spring semesters, candidates will complete a full-year, full-time residency in an elementary school, and two online classes during each semester. 

Note that this program requires an in-person orientation meeting on EIU's campus on Friday, May 29. 

Course Sequence (36 semester hours) 

• Summer semester (12 semester hours): 

• Spring semester (12 semester hours): Second semester of residency (STG 5009); ELE 4890 - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students/English Language Learners; ELE 5007 - Assessment in the Content Area 

Admission Requirements and Course Enrollment 

• Acceptance by the EIU Graduate School as a degree seeking student; official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate study must be submitted to the EIU Graduate School; 

• Submission of completed and signed Acceptance Letter . 

First Semester Residency Placement Requirements (documented after the Summer semester) 

• Completion of Summer coursework with a minimum 3.00 GPA and all courses with a grade of "C" or higher. 

• Completion of school district background check. 

Second Semester Residency Placement Requirements (documented after the Fall semester) 

• Complete first semester residency (with a “C” or higher) and specific content area teaching methods course; 

• Attempt content area test (see ), Exceptions can be made with approval from the Department Chair and Graduate Coordinator of Teaching, Learning, and Foundations; 

Program Completion 

• Complete second semester residency and secondary education literacy course; 

• Pass content area test (not required for degree, but required for licensure); 

Program Cost and Financial Aid 

• Current EIU cost and attendance information may be found at www.eiu.edu/finaid/cost.php  

• Students seeking a first teaching license are eligible for some forms of financial aid; information is available through the EIU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (www.eiu.edu/finaid/index.php) 

• EIU’s Grow Your Own Project provides financial support for candidates in the Master of Arts in Teaching program (www.eiu.edu/rsi/growyourown.php ) or contact Dr. Cecil Smith (mcsmith5@eiu.edu) 

• The Golden Apple Foundation provides funds for recent college graduates and career changers committed to teaching in downstate, rural schools and districts through its  p���Dz������� 

• Other possible sources of funding for teacher candidates may be found here; note that not all sources are available for Master's degree seeking candidates 

Deadlines 

• Admission to Program: Friday, May 1, 2026 

• Candidate Submission of Acceptance Letter: Friday, May 15, 2026 

• Attendance at Required In-Person Orientation: Friday, May 29, 2026 

• Residency Placement Confirmation: Friday, June 26, 2026 

Contact Information 

Dr. Dan Carter, Graduate Coordinator for Teaching, Learning and Foundations (djcarter@eiu.edu) 
College of Education 
Eastern Illinois University 
600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920 
(217) 581-5728 / www.eiu.edu/education  
This information was updated in October 2025