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 Illinois secondary education licensure. Graduates will be eligible for a Professional Educator License endorsed for secondary education (grades 6 to 12) and Biology (grades 9 to 12). Visit Licensure and Endorsement at NLU for more details.
In addition to National College of Education Graduate Admissions Requirements, applicants must:
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
Program Details:
- Requires 33 SH for completion
- Requires student teaching. Student teachers spend a minimum of 10- 11 weeks in the classroom at an assigned school.
Required Courses
MAT Core - 2 SH
| EPS 511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | 2 OR 3 |
Note: EPS 511 must be taken for 2 semester hours.
Secondary Education – Biological Science Requirements - 25 SH
| CIL 505 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| RLR 540 | Teaching Content Area Literacy at the Middle and Secondary Level | 3 |
| SEC 502 | Introduction to Teaching at the Secondary Level | 5 |
| SEC 510 | Methods of Teaching Biology at the Secondary Level | 4 TO 5 |
| SEC 590A | Student Teaching Secondary School Biological Science | 6 |
| SPE 500 | Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |
Secondary Education Elective Options - 6 SH
Choose one pair of the courses below:
| SPE 501 | Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| and | |
| SPE 506 | Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |
| or | |
| CIL 500 | Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education | 3 |
| and | |
| CIL 510 | Assessment of ESL and Bilingual Education Students | 3 |
| or | |
| MLE 500 | Middle School: An Overview | 3 |
| and | |
| MLE 502 | Middle Level Curriculum | 3 |
| or | |
| RLW 541 | Teaching Writing | 2 TO 3 |
| and | |
| RLL 520 | Survey of Youth Literature, PreK-12 | 3 |
| or | |
| RLL 522 | Adolescent Literature | 2 TO 3 |
| or | |
| RLL 528 | Diverse Perspectives in Youth Literature, PreK-12 | 3 |
Note: If selected, RLW 541 and RLL 522 must be taken for 3 semester hours.
The following courses are required for licensure:
| CIL 505 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| EPS 511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | 2 OR 3 |
| RLR 540 | Teaching Content Area Literacy at the Middle and Secondary Level | 3 |
| SEC 502 | Introduction to Teaching at the Secondary Level | 5 |
| SEC 510 | Methods of Teaching Biology at the Secondary Level | 4 TO 5 |
| SEC 590A | Student Teaching Secondary School Biological Science | 6 |
| SPE 500 | Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |
Note: Candidates may become licensed 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.
Secondary Education Student Teaching Enrollment Requirements
Admission to and continuance in student teaching are contingent on the following actions.
Candidates must:
- Be accepted into the graduate program of National College of Education
- File, by the designated deadline, the application form for student teaching
- Submit to their advisor a report of a TB test taken within 90 days of the student teaching placement, results of criminal background check and acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter status form
- Turn in a signed log of all the pre-clinical hours specified in their pre-clinical hours required for the program
- Complete all of their licensure courses except for SEC 590A (Student Teaching)
- Pass all methods courses at National Louis University with a grade no lower than a B
- Participate in faculty assessment and receive approval of his or her portfolio (Livetext)
- Provide evidence of emotional stability, adequate personality adjustment and competency as indicated by licensure coursework and departmental assessments