MA with Teacher Certification – Secondary, National-Louis University

Illinois Certification Type 09 - grades 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is special about this program?
2. What are the eligibility requirements for the program?
3. What is a “cluster”?
4. When and where do the courses meet?
5. What is the length of the program?
6. What will I receive upon successful completion of the program?
7. What must I do to earn my teaching certificate?
8. How do I apply to National-Louis?
9. Is financial aid available?
10. What is the tuition?
11. Whom can I contact to check on the status of my application?

1. What is special about this program?

• Convenient class schedules offered at McHenry County College or National-Louis University’s Elgin campus.
• Instruction via a cluster model, with 15 to 20 students on a set course schedule forming a certification cluster.
• Fixed tuition rate for the duration of the certification cluster.
• Hands-on experience in schools while you are in a certification cluster.
• Instructional support from knowledgeable faculty and advisors.
• State-of-the-art teacher preparation that fully integrates best practice into the curriculum.
• Successful completion of the certification cluster will allow students to earn a State of Illinois, Type 09 teaching certificate. Additional coursework is required for the full master’s degree.
• National-Louis University offers Secondary Certification in the following content areas: math, science, social studies, English/language arts and foreign language.

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2. What are the eligibility requirements for the program?

   • A bachelor’s degree from a nationally accredited institution.
   • Passing score on the Illinois Test of Basic Skills.
   • Passing score on the Illinois Content Area Test.
   • Score report for the Miller Analogies Test (waived if you already hold a master’s degree).
   • 2.5 overall GPA. Minimum 2.5 GPA in content area.
   • Completion of content area coursework or general education courses (according to program requirements at NLU).

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3. What is a “cluster”?

   A group of 15-20 students who go through the program together. Benefits of the cluster include small class size, one-time registration for all coursework, group support and networking opportunities.

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4. When and where do the courses meet?

   Fall clusters are held at McHenry County College. Otherwise, clusters are held at NLU's Elgin campus, which is located at 620 Tollgate Road, Elgin, IL 60123. Class meets two evenings per week starting at 5:30 p.m. You will travel to another campus during the first course of the second quarter in the certification cluster.

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5. What is the length of the program?

   The certification cluster will take nine to twelve months (three ten to eleven week quarters). You will have four additional courses to complete the full master’s degree to complete on your own and at a pace that is right for you. You have approximately six years from the start of the very first course to complete the full master’s degree.

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6. What will I receive upon successful completion of the program?

   The full master's degree is 32 semester hours of coursework, 20 of which are completed in the certification cluster. After completion of the 32 hours of coursework, you will obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching degree with an Illinois Type 09 teaching certificate in Secondary Education (grades 6-12).

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7. What must I do to earn my teaching certificate?

   Complete the certification cluster, pass the Assessment for Professional Teachers (APT) test (taken at the end of the certification cluster) and complete an application for certification through the State of Illinois.

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8. How do I apply to National-Louis?

   • Contact Linda Sidlo, Graduate Enrollment Representative, at Linda.Sidlo@nl.edu or call (800) 443-5522, extension 8053.
   • Applications can be completed online at www.nl.edu/applyonline. Please submit official/sealed transcripts from every school you have attended along with your application. Transcripts should be sent to:

     National-Louis University
     Office Of Admissions
     1000 Capitol Drive
     Wheeling, IL 60090

   • Once your application, application fee ($40) and official transcripts have been received, National-Louis will do an official transcript evaluation to determine if you meet the required 32 semester hours in your chosen content area (math, science, social studies, English/language arts, or foreign language).
   • In the meantime or after you've been evaluated, get registered to take the Illinois Basic Skills Test and Illinois Content Area Test at www.icts.nesinc.com, as well as the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Registration for the MAT can be completed by calling 1 (800) 443-5522, extension 5469.
   • If you have content area deficiencies, they must be completed prior to starting the certification cluster.

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9. Is financial aid available?

   Yes. Please visit the National-Louis University web site at www.nl.edu/financial or contact our Office of Financial Aid, at 1 (800) 443-5522, extension 5350. Financial aid is offered in the form of a low-interest loan.

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10. What is the tuition?

    Please check online at www.nl.edu to find current graduate tuition rates.

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11. Whom can I contact to check on the status of my application or receive more information about the Master of Arts?

    Linda Sidlo, Graduate Enrollment Representative, at Linda.Sidlo@nl.edu or call 1 (800) 443-5522, extension 8053. National-Lewis University also offers the Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education program at the Elgin campus.

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9/4/08