The Master of Arts in Teaching: Middle Grades Education program is designed to prepare qualified professional for teaching in middle school settings. Upon successful completion of degree requirements, candidates are eligible for a Professional Educator License (PEL) with a middle grade endorsement from the state of Illinois for grades 5 through 8 inclusive.
Concordia-Chicago’s MAT in Middle Grades Education emphasizes the following:
- Development of core competencies in instructional planning, delivery and assessment
- Respect and support for diversity in educational settings
- How to ethically lead learning
- The role of standards within the profession
- The commitment to continuous improvement
- Establish positive, social-emotional learning cultures
- The importance of reflective practice
- Development of collaborative relationships to serve the learning of every student
- An understanding of adolescent development
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Previously admitted students seeking to change programs may do so at the beginning of a semester (only) by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards at the time of requesting a program change.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites to Professional Courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Theories of Learning and Cognition | ||
| Introduction to Education | ||
| Professional Courses | 24 | |
| Literacy Instruction for Content Area Classrooms: Middle and Secondary | ||
| Teaching Diverse Learners at the Secondary Level | ||
| Introduction to Classroom Teaching and Technology for Learning | ||
| Classroom Management and Assessment | ||
| Characteristics and Instruction of Exceptional Learners | ||
| Professional Responsibility and Ethics for Teachers | ||
| Introduction to Research: Pre-Service Teachers | ||
| Select one of the following courses per chosen major: | ||
| Content and Methods for Teaching Middle Grade Mathematics | ||
| Content and Methods for Teaching English at the Middle and Secondary Levels | ||
| Content and Methods for Teaching Physical Education at the Middle and Secondary Levels | ||
| Content and Methods for Teaching Science at the Middle and Secondary Levels | ||
| Content and Methods of Teaching Social Science at the Middle and Secondary Levels | ||
| Student Teaching Internship Semester | 6 | |
| edTPA Seminar and Colloquium (0 credit hours) | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching: English | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching: Mathematics | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching: Physical Education | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching: Science | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching: Social Studies | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Clinical Experience (Pre-Professional Hours)
- 100 hours (all pre-professional hours are embedded in the MAT coursework and must be completed prior to student teaching).
- Each course will describe the number of hours required to be completed in classrooms and the nature of the experience that a candidate must complete.
Capstone Experience
- Positive Impact Presentation (PIP) on student learning
- Teacher Performance Assessment [edTPA]: State-required portfolio, taken during the student teaching semester, is to be passed and submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education prior to licensing (PEL).
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application as a degree-seeking graduate student.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- If transfer credit is approved to be applied: have on file an approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s) or evaluation(s).
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, thesis or dissertation.
- Take and pass the final examination or terminal requirements in the program during or after the final course.
- Approval of the faculty.
- Payments of all tuition and fees due to Concordia University Chicago. All holds must be removed to receive transcripts and diploma.
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.
Additional note: Students may not take a course as Pass/Fail if the course is mandated by their licensure program through ISBE, excluding the student teaching internship course and the edTPA course.