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Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education (M.A.T.)
National Louis University's Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education program is designed for career changers who want to work toward their Illinois Type 09 certification for teaching middle or high school, or their Type 10 certification to teach foreign language (K-12).
Consider getting your Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education degree at National Louis University (NLU) if you:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline
- Are planning to teach grades 6-12 or in the case of Foreign language, grades K-12
- Would like to get your certificate in as few as 10 months
- Want to study at a well-established teaching institution
Why NLU for Teaching Secondary Education
NLU has a long-standing reputation for its education and teacher training programs, and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Since 1886, we’ve trained thousands of Chicago-area teachers, and continue to graduate the majority of Illinois' Golden Apple Award winners—one of the most prestigious teacher honors in the state. Our instructors bring both academic skills and practical experience to the classroom, and our students are highly qualified—creating a unique depth to NLU's Secondary Education program.
The Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education program is organized as a student-centered, standards-driven, progressive experience. Small groups of students—no more than 22—work together throughout their program. These groups are made up of prospective teachers of English, Science, Social Studies/History, Mathematics, and Foreign Language, providing students opportunities to think beyond subject boundaries, consider a variety of instructional strategies, and gain experience planning multi-disciplinary units and programs.
What You Will Learn
- How to teach middle and high school students while taking into account their unique learning styles.
- How to teach a subject well, and connect and interweave it with other fields of knowledge so students encounter ideas that cross disciplines, replicating the
ways we learn as adults. - How to work with colleagues to create experiences that invite young people to pose questions, gather information, construct meaning, share their understandings, make decisions and take action based upon what they have learned.
- How to assess and evaluate your techniques, and how to use research to
enhance your teaching practices.
Successful graduates of this program will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree,
and Illinois secondary education certification in one of the following disciplines:
- Biological Sciences grades 6-12, type 09
- English/Language Arts grades 6-12, type 09
- Mathematics grades 6-12, type 09
- Physical Sciences grades 6-12, type 09
- Social Sciences grades 6-12, type 09
- Foreign Languages K-12, type 10
Career Outlook
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition, employment for teachers is projected to grow about 13 percent between
2008 and 2018. Many job openings will continue to result from the need to replace
the large number of teachers expected to retire during this same period. Currently,
our country’s education schools don't graduate an adequate number of qualified teachers to meet the demand, and job prospects are best in areas including urban and rural school district.[1]
2008 and 2018. Many job openings will continue to result from the need to replace
the large number of teachers expected to retire during this same period. Currently,
our country’s education schools don't graduate an adequate number of qualified teachers to meet the demand, and job prospects are best in areas including urban and rural school district.[1]
NLU has excellent placement rates for our graduate education students, helping them find opportunities through the university's Career Development Center. NLU students are recognized by school principals as teachers who are comfortable in the classroom, can improve student performance and understand how schools are run.
Clinical Experiences
The Secondary Education department requires students to complete at least 100 hours of classroom observation in middle or high school prior to student teaching. These hours must be completed during school hours.
Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.
