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Graduate Catalog 2004-2006: Programs

School of Professional Studies

Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification (MATC)
36 Semester Hours

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

• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education

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. This degree program is intended for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in which Aurora University is approved to recommend granting of certification from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. Because of our unique stature in two states, we are able to offer teacher certification in both Illinois and Wisconsin.

The following courses are required by the Illinois State Board of Education for a middle school endorsement:

If seeking middle school mathematics endorsement, the candidate must also take:

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 Middle School Mathematics Methods 3 semester hours

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 your first course. Graduate faculty reserves the right to decide on the applicability of any and all transfer credit

Note: Refer to course descriptions under College of Education.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
36 semester hours

The Master of Arts in Teaching is designed for experienced classroom teachers. This program provides selected graduate studies to improve and enhance the delivery of classroom teaching and learning experiences. The program concentrates on a student-centered approach to teaching and learning and will provide the opportunity for the teacher to become a life-long reflective practitioner. Our program combines classroom study with on-the-job assignments that enables students to test theory against practical reality.

Aurora University is dedicated toward offering the highest quality program available for the classroom teacher. Our staff is comprised of experienced instructors with terminal degrees in this profession. We have designed this program specifically for working individuals, and understand the need for flexibility.

Degree Requirements for Master of Arts in Teaching
• 21 semester hours in core courses
• 15 semester hours in courses selected in conjunction with graduate program advisor

General Core Courses: 21 semester hours required for all programs
EDU601 Contemporary Issues in Education 3 semester hours
EDU602 Assessment in Schools 3 semester hours
EDU603 The Individual, Cognition and Learning 3 semester hours
EDU604 The Learning Environment 3 semester hours
EDU605 Technology in the School of the Future 3 semester hours
EDU606 Scholarship Applied to Teaching 3 semester hours
EDU607 Introduction to Action Research 3 semester hours

General Education Electives: 15 semester hours from the list below
EDU5100 Classroom Dynamics 2 semester hours
EDU5200 Standards, History, Philosophy, Society in Education 4 semester hours
EDU5260 Advanced Educational Psychology 4 semester hours
EDU5300 Assessment and Approaches to Learning 4 semester hours
EDU5360 Methods of Teaching Mathematics and Science 4 semester hours
EDU5370 Adolescent Development and Learning 4 semester hours
EDU5440 Middle School: Mission and Methods 4 semester hours
EDU5480 Methods of Teaching Reading, Language Arts and Social Studies 4 semester hours
EDU5720 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas 4 semester hours
EDU660 School Administration 3 semester hours
EDU661 Educational Leadership 3 semester hours
EDU662 School Supervision 3 semester hours
EDU663 Curriculum Development and Evaluation 3 semester hours
EDU664 School and Community Relations 3 semester hours
EDU665 School Law 3 semester hours
EDU666 School Finance 3 semester hours

Many additional electives are available through the university’s network of collaborating academic partners. Complete listings are available in the College of Education Office.

Note: Refer to course descriptions under College of Education.

Master of Arts in Education Leadership (MAEL)
36 semester hours

The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership will provide students with knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to successfully perform in the elementary and secondary schools as principal, assistant principal, or curriculum director.

Aurora University is dedicated toward offering the highest quality program available for potential administrators. The faculty is comprised of experienced instructors with terminal degrees in this profession. The program is designed specifically for working individuals. This program provides a comprehensive theoretical and practical format which allows students to use the knowledge and skills presented in the class in order to become effective administrative professionals.

Because of our unique stature in two states, students who complete the program are eligible for the Code 51 license in Wisconsin and the Type 75 certificate in Illinois.

The course plan requiring 36 semester hours is as follows:

Curriculum – 6 semester hours
EDU605 Technology in the School of the Future 3 semester hours
EDU663 Curriculum Development and Evaluation 3 semester hours

Educational Research – 6 semester hours
EDU602 Assessment in the Schools 3 semester hours
EDU607 Introduction to Action Research 3 semester hours

Supervision and Staff Development – 6 semester hours
EDU661 Educational Leadership 3 semester hours
EDU662 School Supervision 3 semester hours

Schools and Public Policy – 15 semester hours
EDU601 Contemporary Issues in Education 3 semester hours
EDU660 School Administration 3 semester hours
EDU664 School and Community Relations 3 semester hours
EDU665 School Law 3 semester hours
EDU666 School Finance 3 semester hours

Clinical Experience – 3 semester hours
EDU667 Practicum in Educational Leadership 3 semester hours
Note: Refer to course descriptions under College of Education.