Secondary Education, M.A.T., Biological Science Concentration (Traditional Program)
This program is for those with a baccalaureate degree and undergraduate coursework in Biology who seek an Illinois secondary education certificate. Candidates will be eligible for certification in Secondary Education (Type 09) with an endorsement in Biology. Visit Certifications and Endorsements at NLU for more details.
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
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:
- 32 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
| FND504 | History and Philosophy of American Education | |
| ESR514 | Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers | |
| EPS511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | |
Secondary Education – Biological Science Requirements - 18 SH
| SEC502 | Introduction to Teaching at the Secondary Level | |
| SEC525 | American Urban Education | |
| SPE500 | Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents/Special Education | |
| SEC510 | Teaching Biology in the Secondary Level | |
| SEC590A | Student Teaching Secondary School Biological Science | |
Secondary Education – Reading Electives - 6 SH
Choose 6 SH from the following:
| RLR502 | Teaching Comprehension and Content Reading | |
| or | |
| RLR503 | Teaching Content Area and Advanced Reading | |
| and | |
| RLL522 | Adolescent Literature | |
| or | |
| RLL528 | Survey 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
| CIL500 | Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education | |
| CIL505 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language | |
Secondary Education – Middle Level Electives - 6 SH
| MLE500 | Middle School: An Overview | |
| MLE502 | Middle Level Curriculum | |
Secondary Education – Special Education Electives - 6 SH
Choose two courses from:
| SPE501 | Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents | |
| SPE506 | Frameworks and Perspectives in Special Education | |
| SPE507 | Social/Emotional Development and Teaching and Support | |
| SPE527 | Individualized 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.
| FND504 | History and Philosophy of American Education | |
| EPS511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | |
| SPE500 | Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents/Special Education | |
| SPE502 | Language Development and Challenges in Children and Adolescents | |
| SEC510 | Teaching Biology in the Secondary Level | |
| SEC590A | Student Teaching Secondary School Biological Science | |