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.
Betsy Leong, Instructor of Education and STEM Education Liaison
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