The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education at the University of North Florida is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field who are seeking to transition into the teaching profession, as well as those already teaching with a Florida temporary teaching certificate who are working toward professional certification. This graduate program provides a pathway to Florida professional certification in Elementary Education (K–6), combining primarily online coursework with required in-person, school-based clinical experiences that provide opportunities for coached and mentored learning in authentic elementary classroom contexts.
Start Your Journey in Teaching
No educational background? No problem. UNF’s M.A.T. helps career changers gain the tools and credentials to become confident, qualified elementary teachers.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education at the University of North Florida is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field who are seeking to transition into the teaching profession, as well as those already teaching with a Florida temporary teaching certificate who are working toward professional certification. This graduate program provides a pathway to Florida professional certification in Elementary Education (K–6), combining primarily online coursework with required in-person, school-based clinical experiences to support the development of elementary educators.
The M.A.T. program equips educators with a strong foundation in elementary content knowledge, research-informed instructional strategies, and the professional skills necessary to navigate today's elementary classrooms. Through coursework emphasizing instructional planning, differentiated instruction, and supporting students with varied learning needs, candidates develop the knowledge and skills to design responsive learning experiences. Throughout the program, students engage in coached, mentored experiences in authentic classroom contexts, connecting theory to practice while developing the instructional judgment needed to navigate the day-to-day complexities of teaching. Together, these experiences prepare educators to meet the varied learning needs of young students in dynamic educational settings.
The M.A.T. program offers a flexible online learning experience that combines asynchronous coursework with select courses incorporating live, synchronous online sessions. Students must reside in Florida throughout the program to participate in required school-based clinical experiences, where they apply their developing knowledge and skills alongside experienced educators. Upon successful completion of the program and applicable state requirements, graduates are prepared to earn Florida professional certification in Elementary Education (K–6), along with the state's Reading and ESOL endorsements, positioning them to enter or continue their teaching careers with the knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary to support elementary learners.
Program Contacts
Graduate Program DirectorSilverfield College of Education and Human Services
UNF Online
Your partner in learning, from the moment of interest to graduation.
Program At-a-Glance
Graduate Cost Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the cost of tuition and fees for a graduate program.
This is only an estimation. Additional fees may apply.
Directions
Select the appropriate rate and residency classification. Please note: The exclusive tuition rate is only available to eligible students.
Keep in Touch with UNF!
Admissions Requirements
The below Program Requirements, University Requirements, and International Applicant Requirements*, if applicable, must be submitted no later than the deadline posted above. Incomplete applications or those with required materials post-marked after the deadline are subject to cancellation. Once an application has been canceled, the decision cannot be reversed.
*International students must be fully admitted to a full-time, on-campus, in-person, degree-seeking program at the University of North Florida. Please check the list of non-qualifying graduate degree programs and contact the International Center for more information.
-
University Requirements
University Requirements
Application and Application Fee
Prospective students are required to use our online system to create an account and submit an application. The application opens approximately one year in advance and is only good for the term and program in which it is submitted. Applicants who have submitted their application and wish to change their admission term or major/concentration may submit a new application and associated application fee. If you would like to cancel an open application, please contact us.
A $30 (USD) application fee is required regardless of previous enrollment. The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived. Undergraduate application fees cannot be used for a graduate application, and vise versa. The application fee must be submitted prior to the review of an application.
Current students who would like to add or change a major, concentration or certificate should submit the Change of Concentration or Major form.
College Transcripts
All applicants must provide transcripts from a U.S. institution accredited by an accepted institutional accreditor or its equivalent from a non-US institution that awarded the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, if applicable, and transcripts from institutions where any post-baccalaureate and/or graduate credits were earned.
All admits must provide official transcripts.
All international transcripts will require a course-by-course evaluation by an approved third-party credential evaluation agency unless a graduate program has established an alternative credential evaluation procedure that is approved by the graduate school. To be accepted, the evaluation must be:
- Translated to English and be the U.S. equivalent
- Evaluated course-by-course
- Include the overall academic GPA
- Be from an approved third-party accredited evaluation service. Recommended evaluation agencies:
- TEC. They have created a custom application for UNF that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application through the TEC Application - UNF Graduate School portal.
- Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
- World Education Services
Important Notes
- The UNF Graduate School cannot request transcripts on an applicants behalf.
- Unofficial transcript copies are accepted for admissions but must clearly state the institution name, student name, course information, terms, grades, and credits. Degree audits are not accepted. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official transcripts.
- If currently enrolled in courses, an incomplete transcript must be submitted before the posted deadline.
- Applicants who also have to apply through systems such as ATCAS or PTCAS, must submit separate transcripts to UNF.
- Official transcripts must:
- Must be less than one year old from the date of printing
- Must be submitted in a sealed envelope from your institution, or emailed through official electronic means.
- When requesting college transcripts, please verify with your institution(s) whether or not they are able to submit electronic transcripts in the proper EDI format. Institutions can submit transcripts via e-mail to graduateschool@unf.edu from an approved vendor such as ScriptSafe, Credentials, or Parchment.
- Former or current UNF students should not request UNF transcripts. After application submission, the UNF requirement will be updated to a "waived" status.
Where Do I Send Transcripts and Test Scores?
Mail
UNF Graduate School
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224Email
Test Score Institutional Codes
GRE: institutional code 5490
GMAT: institutional code CF3QB51 -
Program Specific Requirements
Program Requirements
Specific Requirements
-
Letter of intent
This is NOT a program for individuals who already have their U.S. education/teaching state licensure or certification.
-