If you know you want to become a teacher, choosing the right certification pathway is one of the most important first steps.

Lindenwood University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers several certification preparation pathways designed around the grade levels and student populations you want to teach. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the MAT allows you to choose the path that best matches your goals as an educator.

Start With the Students You Want to Teach

The easiest way to narrow down your MAT options is to think about the age group and learning environment where you see yourself working.

Early Childhood Education: Birth-Grade 3

The Early Childhood Education certification preparation pathway is designed for students who want to work with young children during some of the most important years of development.

This pathway may be a strong fit if you are interested in early learning, child development, foundational literacy and numeracy, and supporting students as they begin their formal education.

Elementary Education: Grades 1-6

The Elementary Education pathway prepares students for certification across the elementary grades.

This option is a good fit for future teachers who enjoy working across multiple subject areas and want to help students build the academic and social foundations they will use throughout their education.

Middle School Education: Grades 5-9

The Middle School Certification Preparation path is designed for students who want to teach learners during the transition between elementary and high school.

Middle school educators work with students at a unique stage of academic and personal development. This path may appeal to future teachers who enjoy helping students become more independent learners while developing stronger skills in specific subject areas.

Secondary Education: Grades 9-12

The Secondary Education pathway prepares students for certification at the high school level.

This option is typically a strong fit for students who want to teach older learners and focus more deeply on a particular academic subject.

Lindenwood also offers an online Secondary Education certification preparation option designed specifically for individuals who already work in secondary schools in an instructional capacity. This option gives students who work in schools and have a bachelor’s degree in a related subject area another pathway to complete the program while pursuing certification for grades 9–12.

Education: Grades K-12

The K–12 Education certification preparation pathway is designed for students pursuing certification in art, health, music, physical education, or special education.

These certifications span multiple grade levels with the option to teach in elementary, middle, or secondary schools.

Special Education: Grades K-12

The Special Education pathway prepares students to work with learners receiving special education services across kindergarten through grade 12.

This path may be a good fit for future educators who want to support students with a range of learning needs and work collaboratively with families, teachers, and other education professionals.

Begin Your Path Toward Teacher Certification

Lindenwood University’s Master of Arts in Teaching gives future educators several ways to prepare for certification while choosing the grade level or student population that best matches their goals.

Whether you see yourself in an early childhood classroom, elementary school, middle school, high school, or special education environment, the right MAT pathway can help you take the next step toward becoming a teacher.