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Elementary Education, M.A.T. (Traditional Program)

This program is designed for students with baccalaureate degrees seeking an Illinois Professional Educator License endorsed for self-contained general education (Grades 1-6). Visit Licensure and Endorsement at NLU for more details.

For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page. 

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO 1. The candidate demonstrates understanding of how learners grow and develop, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

PLO 2. The candidate uses understanding of individual needs, differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environment.

PLO 3. The candidate works with colleagues, families, and communities to establish positive, collaborative and supportive learning environments that encourage active engagement in learning and self- motivation.

PLO 4. The candidate utilizes the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline to create learning experiences that make the content accessible and meaningful for learners.

PLO 5. The teacher connects concepts and uses differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to real world issues

PLO 8. The candidate designs and applies a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop understanding of content areas and to build skills and apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

PLO 6. The candidate uses multiple methods of assessment to monitor learner progress, guide decision-making and to engage learners in their own growth.

PLO 7. The candidate plans instruction that supports student by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

PLO 9. The candidate engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to evaluate their practice and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

PLO 10. The candidate seeks appropriate leadership opportunities to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession

Program Details:

  • Requires 43 SH for completion
  • Candidates cannot be admitted to the program with more than two General Education deficiencies
  • Candidates must complete General Education Requirements before the end of the second term or before the start of the third term:
    • Science – coursework covering at least three of the following areas: physical (Chemistry or Physics), life science, and earth and space
    • Social Sciences – coursework covering at least four of the following areas: history, geography, civics and government, economics of Illinois, US and the world
  • Requires observations
  • Requires practicum
  • Requires student teaching. Student teachers spend a minimum of 11 weeks in the classroom at an assigned school.
  • Requires a professional portfolio

Required Courses

MAT Core - 7 SH

FND 510Social Justice Perspectives on the History and Philosophy of American Education

2
EPS 511Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts

2
ESR 514Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers

3

Note: FND 510 must be taken for 2 semester hours.

Program Requirements - 36 SH

CIL 531Cross Cultural Education

3
CIS 540Methods of Teaching Social Studies

2
ELE 500Elementary Education Practicum I:Teaching and Learning in Diverse Settings

3
ELE 505Instructional Practices in Context: Curriculum, Assessment, and Technology

3
ELE 510Elementary Education Practicum II: Advanced Teaching and Learning in Diverse Settings

3
ELE 545Methods for Teaching Arts Education

1
ELE 547Methods for Teaching Health and Physical Education

1
ELE 590Elementary Education: Student Teaching

6
MHE 540Methods for Teaching Elementary Schools Mathematics

2
MHE 542Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers

3
RLL 538Literacy Methods: K-6

1 TO 2
RLR 550Teaching Reading Comprehension and Content Literacy in Grades 1-6

2
SPE 500Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities

3
SCE 540Methods of Teaching Science

2

Note: RLL 538 must be taken for 2 semester hours.

Elementary 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
  • Pass the Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) Content Area Test (305) before student teaching 
  • Complete all of their licensure courses prior to ELE 590 (Student Teaching)
  • Pass all methods courses at National Louis University with a grade no lower than a B
  • Participate in faculty assessment (Livetext)
  • Provide evidence of emotional stability, adequate personality adjustment and competency as indicated by licensure coursework and departmental assessments