Elementary (K-9) Certification and Secondary (6-12) Certification
Education With a Difference
The Wheaton College M.A.T. program is designed to prepare those seeking an initial teaching certificate to integrate faith and learning through graduate level experiences from a Christian perspective. The program equips educators to become producers as well as consumers of research through internship and induction year experiences. It also provides opportunity for greater depth in one's discipline. These combined elements unite theory and practice to create Christian educators who are equipped for tomorrow's classrooms. Although the program begins in the Fall, certification candidates may take course work in areas of deficiency or additional undergraduate course work prior to beginning the MAT course work.
"The M.A.T. at Wheaton changed my outlook on my career in education. The focus on action research opened my eyes to current trends in educational research and how I can participate in that research."
Chrissy Lang
Math Teacher
Professional Preparation
The purpose of this program is to prepare future educators who have a strong liberal arts foundation and substantial knowledge in one academic discipline. It is designed for students who wish to seek teacher certification for a career in elementary or secondary school teaching and have completed a bachelor's degree at an accredited institution. Secondary certification is offered for any of the following areas: Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Geology, German, History-Social Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Spanish. Elementary certification must have a liberal arts major, or be willing to complete course work in a liberal arts discipline equivalent to a major.
The M. A. T. program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Certification (NCATE) and incorporates NCATE's criteria for effective teacher preparation programs combining integration of content-area study with sound pedagogical practice. The Master of Arts in Teaching is designed for those intending a career in public, private, and/or Christian schools as well as for students considering international ministry and/or teaching.
Admission Requirements
The M. A. T. is available to students who have earned a B. A. from another college/university, or for Wheaton undergraduate students who choose to do an accelerated M. A. in elementary or secondary education. Non-Wheaton College applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA, cumulative and in a discipline-specific (for secondary certification candidates) or liberal arts (for elementary certification candidates) major. Scores from the General Graduate Record Exam are required for teacher candidates having completed undergraduate work elsewhere. Wheaton undergraduate students interested in the accelerated M.A.T. also should have a 3.0 GPA, cumulative and in a discipline-specific/liberal arts major, and must submit an application to the Wheaton College Graduate School by March 1 of their junior year.
Program Options
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Accelerated M.A.T. for Wheaton College undergraduate students
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Non-Wheaton Applicant
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Apply to Graduate School by 1 March of junior year.
Prior to taking method course(s):
- Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (or obtain a waiver due to SAT or ACT score),
- Complete the Wheaton Teacher Education Program (WheTEP) application, and
- Submit the Student Teaching Application.
During the semester the methods course(s) is/are taken:
- Pass the Illinois Content Area (Subject Matter) Examination and
- Submit the Graduate Candidacy Form.
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By the end of the first semester at Wheaton:
- Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (or obtain a waiver due to SAT or ACT score) and Illinois Content Area (Subject Matter) Examination (elementary certification candidates pass the content area examination during the second/spring semester);
- Complete the Wheaton Teacher Education Program (WheTEP) application and process;
- Submit the Student Teaching Application; and
- Submit the Graduate Candidacy Form.
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| Course Work: 1 summer and 5th year B.A. degree includes general education, approved M.A.T. major, and professional education courses. Summer and 5th year: Student teaching (fall semester) and courses that include graduate courses in education, an additional 12 semester hours above and beyond the undergraduate content major, and a Category I graduate Bible and Theology course. |
Course Work: Approximately 2 years (depending on pre-requisites) + 1 summer 1st year pre-requisites include: Illinois any general education deficiencies, major, Bible, and professional education courses. Summer and 2nd year: Student teaching (fall semester) and courses that include graduate courses in education, an additional 12 semester hours above and beyond the undergraduate content major, and a Category I graduate Bible and Theology course. |
| To receive an initial teaching certificate, candidates must pass the Illinois Assessment of Professional Teaching Examination. Even if candidates are not planning to teach in the state of Illinois, receiving the Illinois teaching certificate is highly recommended and makes for an easier transition to another state. |
To receive an initial teaching certificate, candidates must pass the Illinois Assessment of Professional Teaching Examination. Even if candidates are not planning to teach in the state of Illinois, receiving the Illinois teaching certificate is highly recommended and makes for an easier transition to another state. |
| Induction Year of Training |
Induction Year of Teaching |
| Completion of Action Research Thesis |
Completion of Action Research Thesis |
| MAT Awarded |
MAT Awarded |
Wheaton College will collaborate with school districts in extending feedback and support for the novice teacher. A successful induction year of teaching and an action research thesis are required prior to the awarding of the M.A.T. degree.
Degree Requirements
All students in the M.A.T. Program are required to
- Complete course work and experiences in additional content area knowledge, professional education and pedagogical practice, graduate level Bible, with no-Wheaton applicants addressing any deficiencies identified as the time of admission;
- Gain experience as an educator, serving as a scholar-teacher, researching effective teaching within their disciplines; and
- Successfully complete and present an action research paper or thesis, demonstrating knowledge and skills as an educator who teaches and leads for human flourishing.