Elementary Education, M.A.T. (Alternative Teacher Licensure)
This route to the M.A.T. and teacher certification is for candidates accepted into one of NLU’s alternative certification partner programs. Teacher candidates will be placed in high needs schools as teachers of record while taking their coursework toward M.A.T degree and their Professional Educator's License with an endorsement in Elementary Education, Grades 1-6. A specialized mentoring program will be in place to support and guide the teacher candidates throughout the two years of the program.
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
In addition to National College of Education Graduate Admissions Requirements, applicants must:
- Be admitted before starting the first term of Jumpstart
- Have a bachelor's degree from a school with institutional accreditation with a major in the content area of reading, English/language arts, mathematics or one of the sciences
- Sit for a formal interview with NCE program faculty at least two weeks prior to the start of the first term
- Submit three academic or professional letters of recommendation (recommenders must be listed on the application)
Program Details:
- Requires 49 SH for completion
- Candidates cannot be admitted with more than two General Education deficiencies which must be completed prior to participation in the residency phase of the program
- 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 ATL Residency Seminar II
Required Courses
Jumpstart Courses - 7 SH
| FND 501 | Community Study | 1 |
| MHE 542 | Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 3 |
| EPS 513 | Frameworks for Data Driven Instruction | 1 TO 3 |
| RLL 538 | Literacy Methods: K-6 | 1 TO 2 |
Note: RLL 538 must be taken for 2 semester hours and EPS 513 must be taken for 1 semester hour.
Residency Year 1 Courses - 20 SH
| CIS 540 | Methods of Teaching Social Studies | 2 |
| CIL 505 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| CIL 510 | Assessment of ESL and Bilingual Education Students | 3 |
| ELE 511 | ATL Residency Seminar I | 1 |
| MHE 540 | Methods for Teaching Elementary Schools Mathematics | 2 |
| RLR 550 | Teaching Reading Comprehension and Content Literacy in Grades 1-6 | 2 |
| SCE 540 | Methods of Teaching Science | 2 |
| SPE 500 | Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |
Note: ELE 511 must be taken for the total of 3 semester hours.
Residency Year 2 Courses - 22 SH
| ELE 545 | Methods for Teaching Arts Education | 1 |
| ELE 547 | Methods for Teaching Health and Physical Education | 1 |
| EPS 513 | Frameworks for Data Driven Instruction | 1 TO 3 |
| CIL 531 | Cross Cultural Education | 3 |
| CIL 500 | Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education | 3 |
| ESR 514 | Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers | 3 |
| CIL 501 | Introduction to Linguistics for TESOL | 3 |
| CIL 506 | Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Education | 3 |
| ELE 512 | ATL Residency Seminar II | 1 |
Note: EPS 513 must be taken for 2 semester hours. ELE 512 must be taken for the total of 3 semester hours.