Elementary Education, M.A.T. (Teacher Residency Program)

The Elementary Education, M.A.T., Teacher Residency Program, leads to a master's degree and a Professional Educator License endorsed for self contained general education (grades 1-6). 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. 

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO1. Learner Development. The candidate demonstrates understanding of how learners grow and develop, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

PLO2. Learning Differences. The candidate uses understanding of individual needs, differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environment

PLO3. Learning Environment. 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.

PLO4. Content Knowledge. 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.

PLO5. Application of Content. The candidate connects concepts and uses differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to real world issues.

PLO6. Assessment. The candidate uses multiple methods of assessment to monitor learner progress, guide decision-making and to engage learners in their own growth.

PLO7. Planning for Instruction. The candidate plans instruction that supports students by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

PLO8. Instructional Strategies. 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.

PLO9. Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The candidate engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to evaluate their practice and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

PLO10. Leadership and Collaboration. 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 35 SH for completion
  • 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 a passing score on the Elementary Education Content Area Test before Resident Teacher Student Teaching 
  • Requires practicum
  • Requires student teaching
The Elementary Education, M.A.T., Teacher Residency Program, leads to a master's degree and a Professional Educator License endorsed for self contained general education (grades 1-6). 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. 

The Elementary Education, M.A.T., Teacher Residency Program, leads to a master's degree and a Professional Educator License endorsed for self contained general education (grades 1-6). 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. 

Required Courses

MAT Core - 4 SH

EPS 511Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts

2

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

2

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

Program Courses - 31 SH

CIL 505Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language

3

CIS 480BMethods of Teaching Social Studies

2

ELE 545Methods for Teaching Arts Education

1

ELE 547Methods for Teaching Health and Physical Education

1

ELE 577Teaching and Learning in Context

1

ELE 587Resident Teacher Practicum

3

ELE 597Resident Teacher Student Teaching

3

MHE 450Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers

3

MHE 480BMethods for Teaching Elementary Schools Mathematics

2

RLL 538Literacy Methods: K-6

1 TO 2

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

2

SCE 480BMethods of Teaching Science

2

SPE 500Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities

3

Notes: ELE 597 must be taken for a total of 6 SH. RLL 538 must be taken for 2 SH.