Accelerated MAT Science

Accelerated MAT in Biology, Chemistry or Physics

Initial License and Endorsements

All students pursing the Accelerated MAT in Biology, Chemistry or Physics will earn their Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) in grades 9-12 for one of those sciences and will automatically earn their middle grades endorsement in General Science, grades 5-8.

In-Field Subsequent endorsements 

Science majors may add subsequent endorsements within the science field by taking 12 hours in that content OR passing the IL Content Area Test.

Subsequent Science Endorsements include: 

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Geology
Environmental Science

Out of Field Subsequent Endorsements

Endorsements not within Social Science can also be added such as ESL/Bilingual, Special Education or other middle school content by taking 18 hours of coursework in those fields and taking the content area test. 

Accelerated MAT in Science Timeline

All students completing the Accelerated MAT in a Science content complete the same Biology Education, Chemistry Education or Physics Education coursework as a traditional undergraduate major. Students also have the option to complete the regular course requirements for their science major with the additional supporting science classes required for the state of Illinois license. Upon completion students will graduate with a full BS in their science content area, then stay for a fifth year to complete their Master of Arts in Teaching.

View the course requirements for each science content major

Accelerated MAT in Secondary Education requires 10 hours of undergraduate prerequisites and 34 graduate hours. Among 34 required graduate credit hours, up to a total of 16 credit hours (a maximum 8 credit hours per semester) can be taken in the undergraduate senior year after being accepted to the Accelerated MAT program.

"The beauty of the MAT in science is the flexibility of time. Science majors at Wheaton have a lot of credit hours and the accelerated MAT allows you time to conduct research, take more science classes, and build your expertise."

Education Core (30 Credits)

EDUC 506 Classroom Communication and Curriculum Integration
EDUC 527L Secondary and Middle Education Practicum
EDUC 531 Ethical Perspectives on Teaching
EDUC 541 Statistics in Education
EDUC 542 Research Methodologies in Education
EDUC 587 Philosophical Foundations of Education
EDUC 594 Craft of Teaching
EDUC 596 Student Teaching
EDUC 597 Scholarly Inquiry Paper
LING 531 Theological Perspectives on Language and International Education
LING 618 English Language Learning Content Methods and Materials

Biblical and Theological Studies (4 Credits)

One approved Bible/Theology course

Research

Complete a Scholarly Inquiry Paper or thesis within five years of the first term as a full M.A.T. student

Total: 34 credits