Secondary Education, M.A.T., Physical Sciences 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
  • Choose a designation from one of the following: Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science or Physics
  • Have Grade point average of 3.0 or better in designation course work
  • Have 32 semester hours of coursework in Science (12 semester hours of upper division)
  • Have a major from a regionally-accredited institution (or minimum 24 SH) in a single designation (10 SH of laboratory coursework for students who don’t have major in the designation)
  • Have at least one course in Biology and each of the other designation areas
  • Have 6 SH in Math—must be above College Algebra. Courses that will count include Trigonometry, Differential Equations, Advanced Algebra, Statistics and other upper level Math courses.
  • Pass the Content Test in designation
  • Note: The written statement and references are waived

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 Physical Science Requirements - 21 SH

SEC502Introduction to Teaching at the Secondary Level

SEC525American Urban Education

SPE500Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents/Special Education

SEC516Teaching Physical Science in the Secondary Level

SEC592DSecondary Education Alternative Certification: Internship for Physical 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

SEC516Teaching Physical Science in the Secondary Level

SEC592DSecondary Education Alternative Certification: Internship for Physical Sciences