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

FND504History and Philosophy of American Education

ESR514Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers

EPS511Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts

Secondary Education – Biological Science Requirements - 18 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

SEC590AStudent Teaching Secondary School Biological Science

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

SEC590AStudent Teaching Secondary School Biological Science