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M.A. or MAT Secondary Education

Heighten Secondary Education with Specialized Teaching Mastery and Elevate Your Career 

ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµÏÂÔØ's Master of Arts in Secondary Education equips future educators with the knowledge, skills and strategies to effectively teach in today's diverse classrooms. Approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), this program leads to a Professional Educator License (PEL) with an endorsement in one of the following content areas: Visual Arts: (PK-12), Science - Biology (9-12), Mathematics (9-12), English Language Arts (9-12), Music (PK-12), Social Science - History (9-12), or Spanish (PK-12).

Note: Applications are no longer being accepted for the traditional MAT and M.A. graduate programs. ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµÏÂÔØ will continue to offer the MAT Alternative Licensure graduate programs. Please contact Tony DeCesare, Ph.D., interim director of Education, for additional questions at decesareFREEÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµÏÂÔØ.*

Colleges of Distinction Ten Years Education Badge

FORMAT

PEL/Alternative MAT: Online

PROGRAM LENGTH

PEL: 1 Year
Alternative MAT:
15 Months

CREDIT HOURS

PEL: 26 Credits Hours
Alternative MAT:
32 Credit Hours

Important DATES

Start Dates
PEL/Alternative MAT
Summer l - May 10, 2027

Online Info Sessions

COST

Tuition Per Credit Hour: $575
Credit Hours to Complete: 26-45
Approximate Cost: $14,950 - $25,875

Why Earn your M.A. or MAT Secondary Degree?

Earning a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) or a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) focusing on Secondary Education at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµÏÂÔØ offers several rewarding benefits. These programs typically provide advanced training in pedagogy, curriculum design and assessment strategies, which can improve your effectiveness as an educator, allowing you to specialize in a subject area or educational method that makes you more knowledgeable and potentially more marketable. With a master’s degree, the door to your bright future is open for higher-level positions such as department head, curriculum coordinator, or administrator. Many school districts offer salary increments for teachers with advanced degrees. Through the alternative licensure path, earning your degree at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµÏÂÔØ offers flexibility, affordability and career advancement. The program provides in-depth preparation in content and teaching methodologies, qualifying you for roles in subjects like Visual Arts (PK-12), Science - Biology (9-12), Mathematics (9-12), English Language Arts (9-12), Music (PK-12), Social Science - History (9-12), or Spanish (PK-12). 

Badge stating "Illinois State Board of Education: Approved 2025; Educator Preparation Program

 

ÀóÖ¦ÊÓÆµÏÂÔØ the Program

The alternative licensure option allows candidates to work as teachers of record while earning their degrees. The program includes six semesters of coursework, including two intensive summer sessions, and culminates in a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Personalized mentorship ensures a well-rounded learning experience.

The program integrates accelerated coursework with practical teaching experiences, supported by one-on-one mentoring from a site-based coach and University coordinator. You'll gain hands-on classroom experience, engage in fieldwork, and refine your skills through real-world application.

By the completion of the program, students should be able to:

  • Designs and evaluates equitable, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive learning environments that cultivate belonging, collaboration, and safety for all students.   
  • Synthesizes and applies research-based and asset-oriented instructional strategies to plan, differentiate, and adapt learning experiences that meet the needs of diverse learners.   
  • Generates and analyzes multiple forms of assessment data to make informed instructional decisions, monitor student progress, and promote equitable learning outcomes.  
  • Constructs and sustains collaborative partnerships with families, colleagues, and community members to strengthen inclusive learning communities and advocate for student success.   
  • Critically reflects on teaching practices, professional growth, and ethical responsibilities to advance equity, social justice, and continuous improvement.   
  • Facilitates and empowers student voice, agency, and inquiry by designing authentic learning experiences.  
  • Creates and integrates culturally responsive learning opportunities that prepare students to contribute thoughtfully and compassionately to an interconnected world.  
  • Creates theory-informed educational experiences informed by the history of education, not as a practice of the past but as a clearer understanding of the present and the possible futures of education.  
  • Justify and articulate educational choices within the deep global tradition of the philosophy of education.

Alternative Licensure

Unlock your potential with our accelerated 15-month program.

Education Alternative Licensure

 
Article | "Reasons to Pursue Special or Secondary Education"

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"Qualified Teachers in High Demand as Illinois Faces Shortage"

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