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Graduate Catalog 2004-2006: Programs

Master of Arts in Teaching Certification (MATC)

The Master of Arts in Teaching Certification program has two options:

The Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification is a comprehensive program that offers students the opportunity to earn both a master's degree and an initial elementary or secondary education certificate through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). This degree program is intended for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree in which Aurora University is approved by the ISBE to recommend granting of secondary certification from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.

Admission Requirements for the MATC Program

Students are eligible for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification program if they meet the general Aurora University requirements for master's admission and have the following:

  1. Submitted a passing score on the Illinois Certification Testing System's Basic Skills Test.
  2. Attainment of a baccalaureate degree from an ISBE approved institution of higher learning with a grade point average of 2.75 or above.
  3. Attained a degree in the area(s) in which Aurora University is approved by the ISBE to recommend granting of secondary certification (biology, English, mathematics, physical education, and history/social studies). Most approved baccalaureate degrees are acceptable toward elementary certification.
  4. Submitted a passing score on the applicable content area certification exam if a secondary education candidate.
  5. Completed an application and been accepted to Aurora University.
  6. Satisfactory criminal background check.

Transfer of Credit

The College of Education Graduate Faculty Committee may accept a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit from regionally accredited institutions of higher learning for application toward elective degree requirements. Transfer credit must be accepted prior to enrollment in the first course. Graduate faculty reserves the right to decide on the applicability of any and all transfer credit

Master of Arts in Teaching with Elementary Education Certification - 36 semester hours

Students are required to complete the following core courses:

EDU5100 Classroom Dynamics 2 semester hours
EDU5200 Standards, History, Philosophy of Education 4 semester hours
EDU5260 Advanced Educational Psychology 4 semester hours
EDU5300 Assessment and Approaches to Learning 4 semester hours
EDU5360 Methods of Mathematics and Science 4 semester hours
EDU5480 Methods of Reading, Language Arts and Social Studies 4 semester hours
EDU5750 Methods Practicum 2 semester hours
EDU6750 Student Teaching 12 semester hours

The following courses are required by the Illinois State Board of Education for a middle school endorsement:
EDU5370 Adolescent Development and Learning 4 semester hours
EDU5440 Middle School: Mission and Methods 4 semester hours

If seeking middle school mathematics endorsement, the candidate must also take:
EDU5450 Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Middle School 3 semester hours
Master of Arts in Teaching with Secondary Education Certification - 36 semester hours

Prior to admission in the College of Education, students seeking certification at the secondary level in the MATC degree program must meet the following requirements:

  1. Completion of a major, documented by official transcripts, in one of the secondary certification areas that Aurora University is approved to recommend students for certification to ISBE: Biology, English, Mathematics, Physical Education, History/Social Studies.
  2. Documentation of passing both the Illinois Certification System Basic Skills Test and Content Test in the secondary certification field the student is seeking.

NOTE: Students who do not have a major in a certificate field for which Aurora University is approved by ISBE, must complete the required equivalent program for one of the majors for which Aurora University is approved to recommend students for certification prior to admission to the College of Education.

Students are required to complete the following core courses:
EDU5100 Classroom Dynamics 2 semester hours
EDU5200 Standards, History, Philosophy of Education 4 semester hours
EDU5300 Assessment and Approaches to Learning 4 semester hours
EDU5260 Advanced Educational Psychology 4 semester hours
EDU5720 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas 4 semester hours
EDU5750 Methods Practicum 2 semester hours
EDU5820 Secondary Methods of Teaching 4 semester hours
EDU6750 Student Teaching 12 semester hours

The following courses are required by the Illinois State Board of Education for a middle school endorsement:
EDU5370 Adolescent Development and Learning 4 semester hours
EDU5440 Middle School: Mission and Methods 4 semester hours

If seeking middle school mathematics endorsement, the candidate must also take:
EDU5450 Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Middle School 3 semester hours

Posted: 9 March 2005

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