Middle Grades Education, M.A.T. (Teacher Residency Program)
The Middle Grades Education, M.A.T., Teacher Residency Program, leads to a master’s degree and a Professional Educator License endorsed for middle grades education (grades 5 to 8) and content-area endorsements in Science, Literacy, Mathematics, and/or Social Science. Visit Licensure and Endorsements at NLU for more details.
The field residency model requires teacher candidate placement in a classroom during an entire academic year.
For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
PLO1. Articulate the unique needs of young adolescent learners and the contexts that support this student population.
PLO2. Distinguish that middle grades education (MGE) is designed to support the unique developmental needs of young adolescent learners.
PLO3. Demonstrate deep knowledge in chosen content teaching field(s) to create meaningful learning experiences that contribute to each young adolescent’s competence.
PLO4. Demonstrate a clear understanding of how educators identities and beliefs impact young adolescents’ feelings of safety, connectedness, and opportunities to learn.
PLO5. Create and participate in joyful teaching and learning with young adolescent learners.
PLO6. Demonstrate critical and creative thinking when working with young adolescent learners.
PLO7. Implement responsive strategies for use within the diverse range of each young adolescent learner.
PLO8. Integrate knowledge of the philosophical ideologies, historical development, curricular models of middle grades education, and the leaders of the middle grades movement.
PLO9. Exhibit effective listening, oral, written and technological communication skills with young adolescents, family and community.
PLO10. Demonstrate a commitment to being an ethical professional, an educational leader and a life-long learner.
PLO11. Apply culturally relevant practices to ensure success, cultural sustainment, and critical educative practices for all students to maximize success for each young adolescent learner.
PLO12. Commit to being an advocate who supports, listens and responds to each young adolescent, family and community member.
Program Details:
- Requires 35 SH for completion
- Candidates cannot be admitted to the program with more than two General Education deficiencies; these must be completed prior to participation in MGE 587
- Candidates must provide evidence of taking 21 SH of General Education coursework or equivalent CLEP/Dantes tests in the following areas:
- For candidates seeking MG science endorsement: 21 SH of science content (to include coursework in each of the following areas: physical science, life sciences, earth and space sciences)
- For candidates seeking MG literacy endorsement: 21 SH of literacy content
- For candidates seeking MG math endorsement: 21 SH of math content
- For candidates seeking MG social science endorsement: 21 SH of social science content (to include coursework in each of the following areas, in relation to Illinois, the United States and the world: history, geography, civics and government, and economics)
- Requires a passing score on the Middle Grades Education Content Area Test before Resident Teacher Student Teaching
- Requires practicum
- Requires student teaching
Required Courses
MAT Core - 10 SH
| CIL 505 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| EPS 511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | 2 |
| FND 510 | Social Justice Perspectives on the History and Philosophy of American Education | 2 |
| SPE 500 | Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |
Note: FND 510 must be taken for 2 semester hours.
Program Requirements - 22 SH
| MGE 501 | Introduction to Middle Grades Education: Young Adolescents in Context I | 2 TO 3 |
| MGE 507 | Voices and Choices in Middle Grades Education | 1 |
| MGE 509 | Integrated Curriculum in the Middle Grades | 1 TO 3 |
| MGE 520 | Methods of Teaching Content Area Literacy in the Middle Grades | 2 |
| MGE 577 | Teaching & Learning in Context | 1 |
| MGE 587 | Resident Teacher Practicum | 3 |
| MGE 597 | Resident Teacher Student Teaching | 3 |
| and | |
| MGE 510 | Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Science | 3 |
| or | |
| MGE 512 | Methods of Teaching Middle Grades English/Language Arts | 3 |
| or | |
| MGE 514 | Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Mathematics | 3 |
| or | |
| MGE 518 | Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Social Studies | 3 |
Note: MGE 507 must be taken for a total of 2 SH. MGE 509 must be taken for a total of 3 SH. MGE 597 must be taken for a total of 6 SH.
Middle Grades Education Elective Options - 3 SH
Choose one of the following courses:
| CIL 500 | Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education | 3 |
| CIL 531 | Cross Cultural Education | 3 |
| ESR 514 | Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers | 3 |
| MGE 510 | Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Science | 3 |
| MGE 512 | Methods of Teaching Middle Grades English/Language Arts | 3 |
| MGE 514 | Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Mathematics | 3 |
| MGE 518 | Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Social Studies | 3 |
| SCE 513 | Science Inquiry and Content for Teachers | 3 |
| SPE 501 | Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| SPE 506 | Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |