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.

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

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, 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 ofAmerican Education

1 TO 3

EPS 511Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts

2 OR 3

ESR 514Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers

3

Note: FND 510 and EPS 511 must be taken for 2 semester hours.

Program Requirements - 36 SH

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

3

SPE 500Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities

3

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

3

ELE 590Elementary Education: Student Teaching

6

ELE 545Methods for Teaching Arts Education

1

ELE 547Methods for Teaching Health and Physical Education

1

CIS 480BMethods of Teaching Social Studies

2

MHE 480BMethods for Teaching Elementary Schools Mathematics

2

SCE 480BMethods of Teaching Science

2

RLL 538Literacy Methods: K-6

1 TO 2

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

2

CIL 531Cross Cultural Education

3

MHE 450Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers

3

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

3

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 (197-200) 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 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