Program Details
- Next Start Date: January 11, 2027
- Est. Program Length: 1.5-2 Years
- Credit Hours: 35
- Course Length: 8-16 Weeks
- Cost Per Credit: $505
Program Overview
Become a licensed elementary educator who is ready to make a difference in students’ lives. With Aurora University’s online Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education, you’ll prepare to succeed in the classroom through a comprehensive curriculum, strong student support, and clinical practice.
The MAT in Elementary Education online program offers several resources to help you prepare for your Professional Educator License for grades K–6. You can benefit from exam preparation sessions, disposition assessments, clinical guidance, teaching resources, and support navigating licensure requirements.
Curriculum Overview
As you study elementary teaching methods, you’ll have opportunities to immediately apply what you learn in the classroom. Gain the experience needed for licensure while solidifying your educational expertise.
Skills Gained in the Master of Arts in Teaching Online Program
The online MAT in Elementary Education helps you develop the skills you need to thrive as an educator in your own classroom. Build your teaching and professional capacities in:
- Instructional planning and delivery
- Classroom leadership and management
- Relationship-building with students and families
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Communication and presentation skills
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Adaptability and resilience
- Data-informed decision-making
- Cultural competency and inclusive teaching practices
- Professionalism and reflective practice
Why Choose AU?
At Aurora University, you’ll learn from practitioner-based faculty members who are focused on teaching an industry-aligned curriculum. Our online programs are designed for working professionals and built with maximum flexibility in mind, so you’ll have the support you need to balance your studies with your busy schedule. Imagine what you can accomplish at a university that offers:
- No GRE/GMAT
- No application fee
- A full suite of Career Services and Resources.
- A student-first educational experience.
- Programs accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Program Details
- Next Start Date:January 11, 2027
- Est. Program Length:1.5-2 Years
- Credit Hours:35
- Course Length:8-16 Weeks
- Cost Per Credit:$505
Core Courses
- EDU5210 Educational Psychology: Planning, Teaching, Leaning, Managing, and Assessment for Differentiated and Personalized Learning, 3 hours
- EDU5310 Methods of Primary Reading and Language Arts for Grades K – 2, 3 hours
- EDU5320 Methods of Primary Reading and Language Arts for Grades 3 – 6, 3 hours
- EDU5400 Methods of Mathematics for Grades K – 6, 3 hours
- EDU5460 Methods of Science Inquiry for Grades K– 6, 3 hours
- EDU5560 Methods of Social Studies and Humanities for Grades K – 6, 3 hours
- EDU5570 Teaching the Exceptional Child for Grades K – 6, 3 hours
- EDU5760 Student Teaching Internship, 9 hours
- EDU5770 Student Teaching Seminar, 2 hours
- EDU5120 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESL, 3 hours
Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts for questions or information on current tuition, fees, room, board, and other rates.
- A completed graduate application for admission.
- Submit official transcripts to transcripts.aurora@risepoint.com.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited liberal arts institution with a major in one of the following content areas: English, language arts, math, physical science, reading, or social science.
- Potential students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in one of these approved content areas will be required to submit transcripts to the state superintendent to be reviewed for equivalency.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the most recent transcripts*.
- All AU students must have unrestricted access to a computer or mobile device with high-speed internet to participate in online courses. AU uses Brightspace to host its online classes. All students will be charged a $100 Technology Fee per semester, regardless of the number of credits taken.
*Applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Graduate-level course credit is transferable, allowing students to earn their degree faster. Graduate-level credit earned at regionally accredited institutions of higher education graded “B” or better may be transferred to Aurora University and applied toward a master’s or other post-baccalaureate programs prior to enrollment at Aurora University.
Graduate transfer credit is reviewed and determined by the academic department or program. Any coursework accepted or substituted for transfer must be approved by the Program Director.
Online MAT in Elementary Education Career Outcomes
When you complete this online MAT degree program, you'll be eligible for a Professional Educator License for self-contained elementary grades one through six in Illinois. Many graduates work in school districts for public schools.
- Elementary school teacher ($72,650/year1)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to already be working in a classroom to enroll in the MAT in Elementary Education program?
No, applicants do not need to have access to working with students before enrolling in the Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education. You will need a bachelor's degree in an approved content area, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and results from a TB test and background check. A student who is not working in a school can enroll in this program and will be helped with placement. Potential students who do not hold a bachelor's degree in one of the approved content areas will be required to submit transcripts to the state superintendent to be reviewed for equivalency.
Is the licensure from the MAT in Elementary Education valid outside Illinois?
No, the Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education leads only to Professional Educator License eligibility in Illinois. There are no broader state restrictions on who can enroll, but your student teaching and clinical hours must be completed at an Illinois public elementary school, and the license itself only authorizes you to teach within the state. If you live near a state border, you are welcome to enroll, but you will still need Illinois licensure and a signed attestation confirming you understand this. Reach out to a student engagement specialist with state-specific questions before you apply.
What can I do with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education?
A Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education prepares you to earn an Illinois Professional Educator License and lead your own classroom for grades K-6. Elementary school teachers in Illinois typically earn higher than the national average wage for the profession, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Beyond the classroom, the instructional planning, data-informed decision-making, and cultural competency skills built into the curriculum are the type of skills districts look for in future grade-level leads and mentor teachers. Review the career outcomes for the most current salary information.
Source
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles. May 2025 OEWS Profiles. “25-2021 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education.” May 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2026, from https://data.bls.gov/oesprofile/?major_group=250000&occupation=252021&measure=01&areas=INDUSTRY,STATE,MSA .
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