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Secondary Teaching

The MAT in secondary teaching is a one-year, online program leading to full professional educator licensure in the areas of English, mathematics, science, history, world languages, and career and technical education. Candidates complete seven online classes and a full-year residency.

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Secondary Teaching

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Degree Level
Master of Arts in Teaching
Delivery
Fully Online
Time to Degree
3 Semesters
Credit Hours
33 Total, 33 in Major
Careers
Postsecondary, Teachers
Secondary Teaching students at EIU

Why Study Secondary Teaching at EIU?

  • One-year program that leads to a full Illinois Professional Educator License
  • All coursework is online in an asychronous format
  • Candidates complete a full-year, full-time Residency anywhere in Illinois
  • Residencies may be paid or unpaid
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"I chose to attend EIU because I wanted to go to a school that was able to help me strive to become the teacher I want to become. ... My mother was also an inspiration for me coming to EIU as she also attended four years at the school. My mother also became a teacher and has been teaching for the past twenty years."
Peyton Daniel
History with Teaching Licensure | Class of 2026

Hands-On Experience

  • Candidate complete a full-year, full-time Residency in an Illinois school (August-May)
  • Residencies may be paid or unpaid
  • Candidates need to obtain a substitute teaching license for the Residency
Explore Courses
Hands-On Experience, Secondary Teaching students at EIU

What You'll Learn

Ready to become a licensed teacher without putting your life on pause? EIU's online MAT in Secondary Teaching is built for aspiring educators and career changers who want to make a real impact. Complete your coursework online in an asynchronous format from anywhere in Illinois, then finish with a full-year residency in a school setting, with placement options that can be unpaid, paid or third-party funded in your local community.

Program
View in Catalog
$72,090
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
  • Secondary School Teachers

Career Insights

Job Outlook Average Outlook Average OutlookO*NET doesn't currently flag any of the careers linked to this program as Bright Outlook. That doesn't mean jobs aren't out there. It just means these careers aren't expected to grow quickly, don't have 75,000 or more projected openings, and aren't new and emerging.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
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: ~$15,147 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 15% 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
15% of lifetime limit

$15,147 total, just 15% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Daniel Carter
Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator (TLF)
djcarter@eiu.edu
2176 Buzzard Hall
217-581-7885
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Stephen Lucas
Executive Director, Educator Preparation
selucas@eiu.edu
1417
217-581-5728
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Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
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