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Secondary Education, M.A.T., Biological Science Concentration (Alternative Certification)

This route to the M.A.T. and teacher certification is for candidates accepted into one of NLU’s alternative certification partner programs. Candidates in these programs teach in Chicago Public Schools while completing their certification coursework. 

Students working for this certification hold a one-year PROVISIONAL certificate during the first year. After completing certified courses and a year-long internship, they receive an ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATE. 

Teachers may apply for an INITIAL CERTIFICATE (the standard Type 09) after four years of teaching.

In addition to National College of Education Graduate Admissions Requirements, applicants must:

  • Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)
  • Have a grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework
  • Have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in Biology coursework
  • Have 12 semester hours of upper division courses in Biology
  • Pass the Content test in Biology
  • Note: The written statement and three references are waived

In addition, the Biological Science endorsement requires:

  • A major in Biology from a regionally accredited institution or a minimum of 24 SH of coursework in Biology with 10 SH of laboratory courses and at least one course in each of the areas listed below:
    • One course in Chemistry
    • One course in Earth Science/Space Science
    • One course in Environmental Science
    • One course in Physics
    • 6 SH in Math—must be above College Algebra

This degree requires:

  • 35 SH
  • An internship
  • That candidates choose 6 SH of electives from one of the following areas: Reading, ESL, Middle level or Special Education (see tables below)

MAT Core - 8 SH

FND504History and Philosophy of American Education
ESR514Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers
EPS511Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts

Secondary Education – Alternative Certification in Biological Science Requirements - 21 SH

SEC502Introduction to Teaching at the Secondary Level
SEC525American Urban Education
SPE500Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents/Special Education
SEC510Teaching Biology in the Secondary Level
SEC592ASecondary Education Alternative Certification: Internship for the Biological Sciences

Secondary Education – Reading Electives - 6 SH

Choose 6 SH from the following:

RLR502Teaching Comprehension and Content Reading
or
RLR503Teaching Content Area and Advanced Reading
and
RLL522Adolescent Literature
or
RLL528Survey of Multicultural Literature K-12

Note: If needed to equal 6 SH, a Reading Elective can be chosen under advisement

Secondary Education – ESL Electives - 6 SH

CIL500Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education
CIL505Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language

Secondary Education – Middle Level Electives - 6 SH

MLE500Middle School: An Overview
MLE502Middle Level Curriculum

Secondary Education – Special Education Electives - 6 SH

Choose two courses from:

SPE501Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents
SPE506Frameworks and Perspectives in Special Education
SPE507Social/Emotional Development and Teaching and Support
SPE527Individualized Curriculum and Instruction

The following courses are required for certification.

Candidates may become certified prior to completion of the M.A.T. degree, and have six years from the beginning of coursework to complete the degree. Candidates are strongly advised to complete the degree.

FND504History and Philosophy of American Education
EPS511Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts
SPE500Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents/Special Education
SPE502Language Development and Challenges in Children and Adolescents
SEC510Teaching Biology in the Secondary Level
SEC592ASecondary Education Alternative Certification: Internship for the Biological Sciences