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Eastern Illinois University

Elementary Education

Earn a master’s degree and prepare for Illinois elementary teacher licensure through a one-year online program with a full-year residency. The program is designed for bachelor’s-degree holders entering the classroom.

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Elementary Education

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Degree Level
Master of Arts in Teaching
Delivery
Fully Online / Fully Online
Time to Degree
3 Semesters
Credit Hours
36 Total, 36 in Major
Careers
Postsecondary, Teachers
Elementary Education students at EIU

Why Study Elementary Education at EIU?

  • Accelerated program delivery leads to full Illinois licensure in one year (June to May)
  • All courses are online in an asychronous format
  • Candidates complete a full-year, full-time Residency anywhere in Illinois
  • Residencies may be paid or unpaid
"From the moment I stepped onto campus on a campus tour I knew that EIU was the right choice for me. I loved the small campus community where students and staff truly cared about each other. I knew coming to EIU that I wouldn't just be another number but a person who faculty and staff cared about and wanted to watch me succeed."
Rebecca Feuerborn
Special Education and Elementary Education | Class of 2026
Rebecca Feuerborn, Special Education and Elementary Education at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Candidates complete a full-year, full-time Residency in an elementary teaching position
  • Candidates are mentored by a professional in their Residency location as well as by an EIU supervisor
Hands-On Experience, Elementary Education students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The online M.A.T. in Elementary Education provides a route to Illinois teacher licensure if you already hold a bachelor's degree. It is a fit if you are a career changer or recent graduate who wants to teach children in grades 1-6 and wants to be in a classroom quickly.

View in Catalog
$69,660
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Education Teachers, Postsecondary
  • Elementary School Teachers

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Openings: Employers are expected to need at least 75,000 people for this career over the next several years. That count includes new jobs created by growth and spots opened when workers move on.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Openings
Preparation Needed Extensive (5/5)Job Zone 5: Extensive preparationMost of these careers require graduate school, and many also call for more than five years of experience.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit SocialSocial interest typeYou like helping people. This work centers on supporting others by helping, teaching, advising or serving them.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$16,524 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 17% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $8,262 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
17% of lifetime limit

$16,524 total, just 17% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Dan Carter
Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator (TLF)
djcarter@eiu.edu
2176 Buzzard Hall
217-581-7885
Dan Carter Message Dan

Message Dan

or email djcarter@eiu.edu directly
Stephen Lucas
Executive Director, Educator Preparation
selucas@eiu.edu
1417
217-581-5728
Stephen Lucas Message Stephen

Message Stephen

or email selucas@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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