Secondary Education, M.A.T., Social Studies 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: Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, or Broad-based Social Science
- Have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in designation coursework
- Have 32 semester hours of coursework in Social Studies (12 semester hours of upper division)
- Submit a passing score in at least five of the six categories (including the designation area) on the Praxis II Social Studies Content Knowledge Examination taken within the past 10 years. Students who pass more than three, but fewer than five categories (including the area of endorsement) will be considered for four-course review admission status.
- Note: The written statement and references are waived
In addition, the Social Studies endorsement requires:
- A major from a regionally accredited institution in one of the designation areas, minimum 24 SH (Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology/Anthropology)
- At least one course in each of the additional areas listed below (excluding the area of designation):
- Economics
- Geography
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology/Anthropology
- U.S. History
- World History
- A course with a Non-Western focus
Broad-Based Social Science
Candidates who not have a major in one of the designations of Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology/Anthropology may choose the Broad-based Social Science endorsement.
Candidates must fulfill all of these areas:
- 18 SH of History including the minimum of two US History courses and one in Non-Western/ World History (can be Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and South America, or Pacifica)
- One course in Economics
- One course in Geography
- One course in Political Science
- One course in Psychology
- One course in Sociology/Anthropology
- Test 114
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)
Degree Requirements
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 – Alternative Certification in Social Studies Requirements - 21 SH
| SEC502 | Introduction to Teaching at the Secondary Level | |
| SEC525 | American Urban Education | |
| SPE500 | Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents/Special Education | |
| SEC518 | Teaching Social Studies in the Secondary Level | |
| SEC592E | Secondary Education Alternative Certification: Internship for the Social Sciences | |
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 | |
| SEC518 | Teaching Social Studies in the Secondary Level | |
| SEC592E | Secondary Education Alternative Certification: Internship for the Social Sciences | |