MGE MAT Elective Choices

CIL 500- Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education: The course provides an understanding of the historical, political, sociocultural and educational concepts and issues that advance and constrain equitable educational opportunities for linguistically and culturally diverse students in schools. The course considers local, state, and federal policies outlining appropriate school services for English language learners. Cognitive and sociocultural theories of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and bi/multilingualism are analyzed for their pedagogical implications. Specific program models including dual language immersion are examined as well. Assigned course requirements include the completion of 20 clinical/observation hours. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

SPE 501- Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents: This course provides an overview of the processes involved in educational and diagnostic assessment of children and adolescents (K-21). Attention is given to the collaborative development, selection, administration, and interpretation of multiple measures of student learning, behavior, and the classroom environment to evaluate and support classroom and school-based systems of intervention for students and determination of special education eligibility. Multiple measures of assessment, including formal (e.g., norm-referenced) and informal (e.g., classroom-based) assessments, self-assessment, screenings, and issues of assessment such as limitations of testing and cultural and linguistic bias are emphasized. Focus is directed towards interpreting assessment results and connecting assessment to classroom supports, interventions, and instruction as well as planning and guiding instruction to meet rigorous academic and non-academic content and goals for each individual. The role special educator as a collaborative consultant and multidisciplinary team member is also considered. Legal, ethical, cultural, and linguistic assessment issues are addressed. A minimum of 10 hours of field experience is required. Pre-requisite(s): SPE 500 and SPE 506 or advisor approval. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

ESR/EDU 514 Research in Action: Becoming Practitioner Researchers:
Students explore research paradigms with an emphasis on practitioner research and its role in education. Students examine their own educational views, histories, and values, and choose topics for small-scale projects and assignments that introduce them to different research designs and methodologies. Data from several sources will be collected and analyzed. Course readings are used to exemplify various methods and styles of conceptualizing, conducting, and presenting research. Students will learn about ethical considerations in educational inquiry and the skills necessary to critique research. This course requires a minimum of 15 hours of field-based activities. Students who have taken ESR506 and ESR507 may not receive degree credit for ESR514. This course is for students in the M.A.T. program. Prerequisite(s): none. 3 semester hours

OR a second Methods Class (Language Arts, Science, Literacy, or Social Science)

Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Science (MGE 510)

Methods of Teaching Middle Grades Social Science (MGE 518)

Methods of Teaching Middle Grades English Language Arts (MGE 512)

Advanced Methods of Teaching Math (MHE 541)

This may apply to you if:

-You want to be endorsed in 2 Middle Grades content areas 

-You have AT LEAST 9 semester hours in the second content area

-You want to earn both the PEL and Master of Arts in Teaching degree

Degrees will be posted 2-3 weeks after the degree award date.

Diplomas will be mailed approximately 8 weeks after degree date.

Diplomas will not be issued if there is still an outstanding financial balance. If you have a financial hold on your account, and have resolved it, please email records@nl.edu, so your diploma can be released to you. 

If you don't complete you degree requirements by the date for which you have applied, you may submit another degree and diplomate finalization request to change the degree date. 

Commencement- June 20 & 21, 2025

NLU offers a commencement ceremony once a year, typically in summer

In order to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, students must register their degree finalization with the Registrar's Office and indicate that they will participate in the commencement ceremony 

For general information please go to the Commencement Site

To order caps, gowns, photos, and/or rings, visit here!