Teaching - Elementary Education (M.A.T)
“I think the French program at UL Lafayette is in a unique position that no other American university can quite match. We, as French-learning students, have access to a unique kind of French that is spoken nowhere else in the world.”
Earning your Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) from the College of Education & Human Development will prepare you to become certified to teach in Louisiana’s schools as an elementary teacher or an elementary French immersion teacher.
The M.A.T. is appropriate only for individuals who do NOT hold any teaching certification. This program is designed for persons interested in acquiring initial teaching skills for students at the elementary education level and, for those with French language proficiency, the pedagogical expertise required to teach in elementary French immersion programs. Students will choose a concentration in either Elementary Education or Elementary French Immersion.
The College of Education & Human Development at UL Lafayette was ranked among the country's best in the U.S. News & World Report's 2023 edition of "Best Graduate Schools." The faculty use innovative, interdisciplinary, and research-based curricula to develop reflective practitioners who demonstrate expertise in knowledge and practice.
This program prepares its students for licensure or certification within the state of Louisiana. For more information regarding credentialing requirements, please visit the licensure programs page.
Elementary Education at UL Lafayette
Engage in Research
Learn about current research in educational curriculum and instruction. Our faculty’s focus areas range from integrating technology in the classroom to multicultural and inclusive education.
French Immersion
Lafayette’s Cajun and Creole cultures and commitment to preserving our French heritage, language, music, and cuisine makes UL Lafayette the perfect place to learn French immersion pedagogy. Students in the Elementary French Immersion concentration will learn about French immersion pedagogy, immersion methods, and specific linguistic issues relevant to second language acquisition and teaching content courses in another language.
Student Organizations
Connect with education professionals and other students in our on-campus student organizations and honor societies. Get involved and join the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Louisiana Association of Educators.
Education Student Organizations14 Must-Do Things in Lafayette While You're in Grad School
UL Lafayette is a great place for graduate studies, not just because of our awesome faculty and world-class facilities, but also because of where we are located. Lafayette is vibrant, buzzing city that has something for everyone.
There's a lot to do here, so don't limit yourself to this list—but we think there are some quintessential Lafayette experiences you must have while you're in graduate school.
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