Off-Campus Programs

For more than 50 years, the Rockford College Master of Arts in Teaching Program has provided opportunities for graduate study while developing a proud tradition as a teacher of teachers. Our MAT graduates have distinguished themselves as educators in the state of Illinois and nationwide.

Since 1998, Rockford College has offered the instructional strategies track of the MAT. This track is offered at various off-campus sites throughout the state. Except for a two-week summer residency on our beautiful campus, all courses can be delivered at a location near you.

The core of the instructional strategies track is a series of courses offered in partnership with Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a course-designer firm with a national reputation for quality. PLS courses are practical, based on evidence from best practices and research, and are filled with ideas that you can use in your classroom immediately. Foundations of education courses and electives, which are common to all MAT tracks, offer the theoretical foundations that guide your professional practice.

In our most recent quality review, the North Central Association commented that "The Instructional Strategies MAT program fulfills an identified user need perceived by participants and their school officials as being without equal," and that "College personnel are highly praised for their attentiveness to student needs as evidenced both in written evaluations and team interviews." You will find that even though you may live many miles from Rockford, you can obtain an answer to any question you have from our friendly, competent Graduate Office staff. All of us in the Graduate Office consider our off-campus program participants to be valuable members of the Rockford College community.

You also will find that the Rockford College master's degree program is surprisingly affordable, with a full range of payment options. Contact the Financial Aid office for details.

We are pleased that you are considering the Rockford College master's degree program from the many options that are available to you. Of the programs currently offered, Rockford College is among the most beneficial to teachers. We invite you to take the first step toward earning your MAT at Rockford College.

More about PLS