“I touch the future. I teach.” - Christa McAuliffe
M.A.T.
Special Education
Professional Educator License endorsed for
Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS I)
(PreK to age 21)
Program Information Packet
800.443.5522
www.nl.edu
THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (ISBE) MAY CHANGE THE STATE LICENSURE AND
ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
Did You Know?

National Louis University was founded as an early childhood training school in 1886 by Elizabeth Harrison.
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National College of Education laid the foundation for the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) in the late 1880s.
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National College of Education played an integral role in launching the national Head Start program in the
1960s.
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National College of Education became one of the first teachers’ colleges in the country to offer a four-year
program for a bachelor of education degree.
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National College of Education alumni have won 62 Illinois Golden Apple Awards, more than any other school of
education in the state.

National College of Education partners with many community-based schools and districts through a variety of
initiatives, including the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), training teachers to make a difference
in Chicago’s schools, and the Illinois Resource Center, helping educators develop effective learning
environments for English Language Learners.
National Louis University – Pride in Education

Teaching teachers for more than 120 years.
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Talented and dedicated faculty with experience in teaching and school leadership.
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Ranked among the top ten universities in the United States for awarding advanced degrees in education.
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Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Professional Educator License endorsed for LEARNING BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST I (LBS I)
This program is designed specifically for individuals who do not have a teaching license.
This newly revised program is designed to facilitate the preparation of highly qualified teacher candidates for
increasingly complex professional roles in schools. Graduates of this program are eligible to teach students with highand low-incidence disabilities in a variety of settings, such as public, private, or alternative schools. Graduates engage
in diverse roles, and develop skills of pro-active collaboration as well as innovative and differentiated curricular and
instructional strategies and methodologies, within inclusive settings where all students are valued. Coursework is based
on the ISBE Special Education Licensure Structure and Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, within a multifaceted,
progressive conceptual framework. Graduates are qualified to teach students from Pre-K through age 21.
The SPE MAT program is designed specifically for individuals who have already earned an undergraduate degree in a
field other than education and want to obtain a first teaching license in special education. Completion of this program
results in a master’s degree in Special Education. The state of Illinois has additional test requirements for licensure.
The link between theory and practice marks the essence of graduate study at National Louis University. Most of the 3
semester hour graduate courses for the master’s degree in Special Education have a required field experience
component of 10 clock hours. The field experience requirements are organized around the content of each course and
represent a practical application of the material presented. Practicum I and II require 20 field hours in addition to the
seminars. Practicum/Student Teaching requires teaching in a public school five days a week, all day for a minimum of
10 weeks. Student teaching cannot be completed during the summer quarter.
Offering of Classes
Classes in the Special Education program are offered at all Chicago area National Louis University campuses: Chicago,
Lisle, North Shore and Wheeling. Please note: For Student Teaching Seminar (SPE 592C), you may have to attend
seminar classes at another campus. Start time and weekday for this class may vary.
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M.A.T. Special Education Coursework
MAT in Special Education Core Course Requirements:
EPS 511
ESR 514
FND 510
Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts
Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers
Social Justice Perspectives on the History and Philosophy of American Education
Professional Licensure Requirements for LBS I through Entitlement
SPE 500
SPE 501
SPE 502
or
SPE 526
SPE 506
SPE 507
SPE 508
SPE 509
SPE 523
SPE 572
SPE 573
SPE 576
SPE 592C
Semester Hours
2
3
2
Semester Hours
Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents* *
Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children & Adolescents*
Language Development & Challenges in Children and Adolescents
3
3
2
Expressive Language Difficulties: Impact on Academic Learning
Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education*
Methods of Social/Emotional Support*
Literacy Across the Curriculum for Students with Disabilities*
Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners*
Teaching Students with Math Disabilities*
Practicum I***
Differentiated and Inclusive Curriculum and Instruction I
Practicum 2: Curricular Content Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom***
Practicum/Teaching Children and Adolescents with Special Needs****
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
Course Requirements for Master’s Degree
44 semester hours
* Each of these courses has a component of 10 clock hours of field experience.
**This course requires 15 clock hours of field experience.*
*** These courses require 20 clock hours of field experience.
**** 5 days per week, all day for a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks actual time in a school
Early Childhood Special Education approval
Students seeking Pre-K Special Education teaching positions must add this four-course approval to their Professional Educator
License. These courses can be taken concurrently or after graduation/licensure. The courses for the Early Childhood Special
Education approval are: SPE510, SPE532, SPE533, and SPE534.
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Enrollment Formats
Full–time option
•
18 months
•
Classes meet 2 days per week, one or two courses a day. (If two courses, typically one morning and one
afternoon, 3 hours each.)
•
Students are enrolled in 3 courses per quarter.
Part-time option
•
30 months
•
Classes meet 2 evenings per week from 6 to 9 p.m.
•
Students are usually enrolled in 1-2 courses per quarter.
Traditional On-Campus Learning
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

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Register through the Graduate Advising X 5900, contacting enrollment specialist for first course
Course times and campus location are subject to the current course schedule found at
www.nl.edu/course_schedule
Register as a full-time or a part-time student
Register for up to 9 semester hours as a student at large while applying for admission to the program. The
following courses (7 total semester hours) can be taken without being admitted:
 ESR514 (3 SH)
 EPS511 (2 SH)
 FND510 (2 SH)
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Admission Requirements


Complete an application: Apply online at www.nl.edu/applyonline
Transcripts: Submit official transcripts sealed in original envelopes from ALL undergraduate and graduate
institutions, including community colleges. Foreign transcripts must first receive a course-by-course evaluation
by one of the approved agencies listed at www.nl.edu/oar/admissions/foreign-credential.cfm . Electronic
transcript notifications must be sent directly from the issuing institution to admissions@nl.edu in order to be
considered official.
Note: Please have all your transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
Important: Transcript evaluations take 3-4 weeks. Do not wait for your test scores to submit your application.
Please send all documents to:
National Louis University
Office of Admissions
1000 Capitol Dr.
Wheeling, IL 60090
.
Miller Analogies Test: This test is waived for those holding a master’s degree or for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or
higher. GRE scores are also accepted in lieu of the Miller Analogies Test if taken within the past 5 years. For testing
dates and to register go to: http://www.nl.edu/studentservices/learningsupport/testing/#miller

Test of Academic Proficiency #400*. Register online at www.il.nesinc.com Workshops at:
http://www.nl.edu/t4/studentservices/learningsupport/tapresources/tapworkshops/ Self-study guide at
http://libguides.nl.edu/TAP
-
NOTE: A maximum of five life-time attempts are permitted per ISBE regulations.
If the SAT (with writing component) or ACT (plus writing) has been taken within ten years by the time of
admission, please visit http://nl.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Undergraduate-and-Graduate-Catalog/NationalCollege-of-Education/Test-of-Academic-Proficiency-TAP for information on using the score in place of the TAP.

For full admission to the University, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of
coursework. However, applicants with a 2.5 GPA will be considered for a provisional admission. Please refer to
the NLU Catalog for policies related to raising your GPA.

English Language Proficiency Exams: For applicants whose native language is other than English and
whose previous education is outside the United States. Approved tests at:
http://www.nl.edu/t4/admissions/oar/englishlanguageproficiency/
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Additional Testing
In order to be licensed in special education, you must complete the professional education coursework, and field experiences, plus
pass the required State of Illinois examinations:
Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) # 188
Learning Behavioral Specialist I (LBS1) #155 (taken before student teaching)
Special Education General Curriculum #163 (taken before student teaching)
Please note: Beginning in the fall, 2015, all candidates seeking initial licensure in the state of Illinois must pass
the EdTPA. Details will be provided in initial program coursework.
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Contact Information
Alba Castaneda
Acastaneda3@nl.edu
Claudine Clarke
claudine.clarke@nl.edu
Jennifer Karr
jkarr@nl.edu
KeAnna Palmer
kpalmer5@nl.edu
Jennifer Zwicklbauer
jzwicklbauer@nl.edu
(800) 443-5522, x 3399
(800) 443-5522, x 3716
(800) 443-5522, x 5771
(800) 443-5522, x 3720
(800) 443-5522, x 4519
Financial Resources
http://www.nl.edu/financialaid/officeofstudentfinance/
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