Elementary Education, M.A.T. (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 03) after four years of teaching.

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

  • Submit official scores from the Miller Analogies Test
  • Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)
  • Complete General Education Requirements prior to admission
    • Communication – 2 SH
    • Literature – 2 SH
    • Fine Arts – 2 SH
    • Global/Multicultural – 2 SH
    • History/Political Science – 2 SH
    • Biological/Physical Science – 2 SH
    • Math – 6 SH

This degree requires:

  • 34 SH
  • An internship

Required Courses

MAT Core - 9 SH

EPS511Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts

ESR514Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers

FND510Social Justice Perspectives on the History and Philosophy of American Education

Program Courses - 21 SH

SPE500Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents/Special Education

ELE540Elementary Methods Across the Curriculum

RLL540Methods and Materials for Teaching Reading and Language Arts: Alternative Certification

ELE592Elementary Education: Alternative Certification Internship

ELE545Methods for Teaching Arts Education

ELE547Methods for Teaching Health and Physical Education

Note: ELE 592 must be taken for 9 SH.

Program Elective - 4 SH

Choose 4 SH of NCE graduate courses with advisor approval

Note: ELE 583A cannot be used as an elective for the degree.