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B.A. - M.A.T. FAQs
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Why was this program developed?
The program was developed because of the teacher shortage in Illinois, especially at the high school level. The baby boom echo, combined with an increasing retirement rate among active teachers, has led to strong demand for well-trained high school teachers. Illinois has been increasing the content requirements for future high school teachers. It often requires five years for an undergraduate student to double major in a content area (e.g., English) and secondary education. In about the same amount of time, a student in the B.A.-M.A.T. Program can earn a B.A. in the content area, a teaching certificate, and the M.A.T. Many prospective M.A.T. students face delays in starting the M.A.T. program because they lack some of the content-area course prerequisites. Enrollment in the B.A.-M.A.T. would prevent such delays.
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What is the program structure?
| Freshman & Sophomore years at NLU or a community college |
Student takes general education courses plus 100 and 200 level courses in major field |
| Junior and Senior years at NLU |
Student completes requirements for B.A. with a major in either Biology, English, Mathematics, or Social Science |
| NLU Secondary Education M.A.T. program |
Year 1: Three quarters (19 SH) of coursework, observation, and student teaching. Receive certification.
Year 2: Two quarters (12 SH) of coursework. Receive M.A.T. This coursework can be delayed up to six years. |
Back to the TopWhat undergraduate enrollment representative can I contact on my campus for more information?You may contact the following enrollment representatives:
Chicago CampusOlga Govea, OGovea@nl.edu, 312.261.3975
Elgin/North Shore/Lisle/Wheeling CampusesAngela Kaufmann, Angela.Kaufmann@nl.edu, (224) 233-2456
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Is the B.A. - M.A.T. program a "major"?No, it is more like a “track” than a major. To be in the B.A.-M.A.T., you must first declare a major in Biology, English, Mathematics/Quantitative studies, or Social Science. The B.A.-M.A.T. is analogous to choosing the pre-med option while majoring in chemistry or the pre-law option while majoring in History. In the B.A.-M.A.T., you are choosing the “pre-secondary education” option while majoring in Biology, English, Math, or Social Science. You still take courses for your major, but your advisors will make sure you enroll in the specific courses that will also satisfy the entrance requirements for the Secondary Education Program.Back to the TopInstead of spending about five years in the B.A. - M.A.T. program, can I save time by earning my Secondary Education degree as an undergraduate?Earning your secondary teaching certificate as an undergraduate will probably not save time. The state of Illinois has recently increased minimum content area requirements to 32 SH (= 48 QH). If you earn your Secondary Education degree as an undergraduate, you will therefore have to also take about 10 or 11 courses in the content area of your choice, typically enough for a second major. Double majoring in Education plus a liberal arts or science discipline often takes students 5 years, at the end of which they have earned a B.A. degree with two majors. In contrast, at the end of about 5 years in the B.A.-M.A.T. track, students have earned a B.A. in their content area, a secondary teaching certificate, and a Master’s degree in the art of teaching.Back to the TopIf I complete the B.A. and teaching certificate at the undergraduate level, won’t I be more marketable, since I won’t have the M.A.T.?No. The M.A.T. program is set up to avoid this problem. Students in the M.A.T. program earn a teaching certificate after 1 year in the program. At this point, they have a B.A. degree in their content area and a teaching certificate. Most students then leave the program to find a teaching job. Once established in their new job, they can earn the M.A.T. by taking 12 more semester hours of courses within six years.
Back to the TopIf I choose a major and then elect to participate in the BA-MAT track, does this mean I am locked into teaching as a career?No. Signing up for the B.A.-M.A.T. track ensures that by the time you graduate with your B.A. you will have completed all the necessary requirements for admittance to the M.A.T. Secondary Ed program. Whether you choose to exercise that option is up to you.
Back to the TopIs it possible to be accepted to the NLU M.A.T. Secondary Education program without participating in the B.A. - M.A.T. program?Yes, applicants to the M.A.T. Secondary Education Program come from many different academic institutions. However, only B.A.-M.A.T. students from NLU get preference at admission. If you are not in the B.A.-M.A.T., we cannot guarantee that you will get your first choice regarding the date your M.A.T. program begins. There is a chance you will be wait-listed. Back to the TopIf I major in elementary education and concentrate in, Math, Biology, English, or Social Science, do I qualify to join the B.A. - M.A.T. program?Not unless you change your concentration into a major. A major requires more coursework than a concentration. It is possible to double major in elementary education and Math, Biology, English, or Social Science. After graduating, you would then be qualified to teach in the primary grades and to enter the M.A.T. in secondary education. However, if your goal is to teach at the high school level, this is an inefficient plan.
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I am a Liberal Arts Studies major and one of my sub-majors is in one of the four specified subject areas. Do I qualify to join the BA-MAT program?
No. Liberal Arts Studies majors graduate with a B.A. in Liberal Arts Studies. To participate in the B.A.-M.A.T. track, you must declare a major that will lead to a B.A. in Biology, English, Math, or Social Science.
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What is the advantage of signing up for the B.A. - M.A.T. track?
There are two important benefits:
- You will be coached during your undergraduate years so you take the correct courses and required entrance exams for a smooth transition into the M.A.T. Secondary Education Program at NLU. Requirements for high school teaching frequently change. We will make sure you don’t waste time taking classes you don’t need.
- If you meet the requirements for entry into the M.A.T. Secondary Education Program at NLU, we will save a place for you in an M.A.T. cluster starting right after you graduate with your B.A. (or a cluster starting later that same academic year, if you desire.) You will not be wait-listed or denied admittance due to competition from students coming into the M.A.T. from other colleges – you get preference because you have been at NLU in the B.A.-M.A.T.
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Once I am accepted into the program, which Secondary Education advisor should I contact?
The following advisors can be contacted:
Math - Vera Kemeny
Science - Theresa Robinson
English - Scott Sullivan & Marilyn Bizar
Social Studies - Sy Karlin
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Last modified on: 2009-05-26 11:47:30 by: Sarah Frost
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