Program Overview

National Louis University Master of Art in Teaching

The National Louis University Master of Art in Teaching program is a joint program between Illinois Institute of Technology and National Louis University. This unique accelerated program allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in a STEM discipline from Illinois Tech and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree from NLU, as well as a teaching license, in as little as five years.

Program Overview

This program is an excellent opportunity to broaden STEM career options by graduating certified to teach secondary students in mathematics, biology, chemistry, or physics (grades 9–12). Qualified educators are in growing demand, and NLU’s history is rooted in providing exceptional teacher preparation. NLU’s alumni go on to find rewarding careers as teachers, coaches, principals, superintendents, and more, with many Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership winners among them.

Program Highlights

• Learning from practitioners: All of the M.A.T. program’s instructors are former teachers, ensuring the program’s coursework is rich with insights gained from real-world experience.
• Hands-on learning: All M.A.T. students gain hours of valuable experience connecting theory to practice in high school classrooms through observing, practicing, reflecting, and then leading lessons—all with the support of an experienced mentor teacher and university faculty.
• Culturally responsive education: NLU’s teacher preparation curriculum is based on a social justice and equity framework. M.A.T. candidates will learn how to differentiate instruction that reflects, embraces, and sustains the linguistic, cultural, and racial diversity of their learners.
• Individualized support: All students receive personalized guidance from an experienced NLU enrollment specialist and graduate adviser, who will collaborate closely with Illinois Tech faculty advisers and staff to ensure their needs are met.
• Benefits of the profession: Average starting salaries for a new teacher with a Master's Degree range from $59,894 to $64,042. There are also several scholarships, grants, and student-loan forgiveness programs available for M.A.T. teacher candidates.

Admission Criteria

NLU offers guaranteed admissions to the M.A.T. program for current undergraduates who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA, including 12 credit hours of upper-division coursework with a grade B or higher (conditional admission possible for those with GPA 2.5–2.9).

Scholarship Opportunities

Select B.S./M.A.T. students may be eligible for up to $30,000 in scholarship funds over two years, thanks to National Science Foundation funding received by IIT & NLU.