Special Education, M.A.T. (Alternative Teacher Licensure)

This route to the M.A.T. and teacher licensure is for candidates accepted into one of NLU’s partner programs. Candidates in these programs teach in high-needs schools while earning their degrees and licenses with endorsements in Special Education LBS I (pre-K to age 21). A specialized mentoring program will be in place to support and guide the teacher candidates throughout the two years of the program.

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

  • Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) or ISBE approved alternative
  • Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a major in the content area of reading, English/language arts, mathematics or one of the sciences
  • Offer documentation of congruence of the candidate's baccalaureate education and employment experience with the teaching are for which the candidate seeks preparation and licensure
  • Sit for a formal interview with NCE program faculty at least two weeks prior to the start of the first term
  • Three academic or professional letters of recommendation (recommenders must be listed on the application)

Program Details:

  • Requires 48 SH for completion
  • Please note, any candidate who wishes to teach in a preK special education setting must have completed SPE 510, SPE 532, SPE 533 and SPE 534

Required Courses

Jumpstart - 9 SH

SPE 500Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities

3

SPE 509Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners

3

SPE 572Practicum I

2 OR 3

Note: SPE 572 must be taken for 3 semester hours.

Residency Year 1 - 20 SH

SPE 501Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents

3

SPE 502Language Development and Challenges in Children and Adolescents

2

SPE 506Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education

3

SPE 507Methods of Social/Emotional Support

3

SPE 508Literacy Across the Curriculum for Students with Disabilities

3

SPE 587Seminar/Teaching Children and Adolescents with Special Needs

.5 TO 6

SPE 527Differentiated and Individualized Curriculum and Instruction

3

Note: SPE 587 must be taken for 3 semester hours during Residency Year 1.

Residency Year 2 - 19 SH

EPS 511Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts

2 OR 3

EPS 513Frameworks for Data Driven Instruction

1 TO 3

ESR 514Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers

3

FND 510Social Justice Perspectives on the History and Philosophy ofAmerican Education

1 TO 3

SPE 523Teaching Students with Math Disabilities

3

SPE 587Seminar/Teaching Children and Adolescents with Special Needs

.5 TO 6

TIE 535Instructional Design Foundations for Digital Age Learning Environments

1 TO 3

Note: EPS 511 must be taken for 2 semester hours. EPS 513 must be taken for 3 semester hours. FND 510 must be taken for 2 semester hours. SPE 587 must be taken for 3 semester hours during Residency Year 2. TIE 535 must be taken for 3 semester hours.

For more information about this program, visit  http://www.nl.edu/academics/educationmastersteacherprep/specialeducation/