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.
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 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 510 | Social Justice Perspectives on the History and Philosophy of American Education | 2 |
| EPS 511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | 2 |
| ESR 514 | Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers | 3 |
Note: FND 510 must be taken for 2 semester hours.
Program Requirements - 36 SH
| ELE 500 | Elementary Education Practicum I:Teaching and Learning in Diverse Settings | 3 |
| SPE 500 | Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| ELE 510 | Elementary Education Practicum II: Advanced Teaching and Learning in Diverse Settings | 3 |
| ELE 590 | Elementary Education: Student Teaching | 6 |
| ELE 545 | Methods for Teaching Arts Education | 1 |
| ELE 547 | Methods for Teaching Health and Physical Education | 1 |
| CIS 480B | Methods of Teaching Social Studies | 2 |
| MHE 480B | Methods for Teaching Elementary Schools Mathematics | 2 |
| SCE 480B | Methods of Teaching Science | 2 |
| RLL 538 | Literacy Methods: K-6 | 1 TO 2 |
| RLR 550 | Teaching Reading Comprehension and Content Literacy in Grades 1-6 | 2 |
| CIL 531 | Cross Cultural Education | 3 |
| MHE 450 | Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 3 |
| ELE 505 | Instructional 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