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:
- 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. If the individual does not have a major in a content area for any level of teaching, the transcripts must be evaluated by the State Superintendent of Education for equivalency. This process will be started by the Transfer Articulation Analyst in the Registrar's office and appropriate documents send to ISBE.
- ISBE review requires a min of 9SH in any one or a combination of the four areas listed above to be admitted to the program.
- 32 semester hours of coursework in a combination of the areas of reading, English/language arts, mathematics or physical or social science including methods courses (required as part of the program) are required prior to entitlement.
- Please note: the Transfer Articulation Analyst will review transcripts prior to admission and notify students if additional content coursework is needed before entitlement.
- Have a GPA no lower than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates may be provisionally admitted to the program with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99. They must complete the first four courses in the program with grades of B or better.
- Candidates must pass the Elementary Education Content Test by May 1st prior to the summer start. Candidates without a passing score must attend tutoring sessions May- June. Candidates must pass the test by June 20th.
- Written statement describing a candidate’s interest in entering a degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education through an Alternative Licensure program and description of candidates’ employment experience in schools and working with students or evidence of a minimum of 4 weeks substitute teaching experience or school support experience in at the appropriate grade level or content area.
- Complete a student interview with the Program Coordinator, program faculty and the university partners
- Submit three references (from B.A. degree, employment experience appropriate for teaching experience)
Program Details:
- Requires 39 SH for completion
- Candidates must earn a grade of "B" or better in all methods courses
- Requires immersive school placement
- Requires a passing score on the Elementary Education Content Area Test (305) before starting the internship
- Candidates must meet the ISBE requirements for a Provisional Teaching License before starting the internship. This includes passing the following program courses: ELE 577, MHE 542 and RLP 551
Required Courses
Program Requirements - 39 SH
| CIS 540 | Methods of Teaching Social Studies | 3 |
| CIL 505 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| EDU 510 | Social Justice Perspectives on the History and Philosophy of American Education | 2 |
| ELE 577 | Teaching and Learning in Context | 1 |
| ELE 587 | Resident Teacher Practicum | 1 TO 7 |
| ELE 597 | Resident Teacher Student Teaching | 1 TO 3 |
| LSE 511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | 2 |
| MHE 540 | Methods for Teaching Elementary Schools Mathematics | 2 TO 3 |
| MHE 542 | Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers | 3 |
| RLP 550 | Teaching Reading Comprehension and Content Area Literacy, Grades 1-6 | 3 |
| RLP 551 | Literacy Methods, Grades 1-6 | 3 |
| SCE 540 | Methods of Teaching Science | 2 TO 3 |
| SPE 500 | Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |