About Master of Arts in Teaching

Empowered Minds Learning Together

Rockford University offers several approved programs of study that meet the professional requirements for teachers in Illinois. We pride ourselves in creating the next generation of educators. Countless graduates have gone on to be Golden Apple Award winners, including an Illinois Teacher of the Year!

Length of time to complete the MAT can take between two to three years and depends upon the initial licensure program chosen and the numbers of courses taken each semester. Students have up to five years to complete the degree requirements.

Initial Licensure Programs

Early Childhood

Serve children and families in early childhood programs. Prepare to teach in a Birth through Grade 2 classroom and enable children to be successful students. As an early childhood teacher, you will serve a critical role in the development of young students.

Coursework includes: Guiding Young Child Social Development & Behavior; Science, Tech, Engineering, Math in EC; Foundations of Language & Literature for Diverse Learners; and Curriculum & Instruction Plan Pre K & Early ELEM.

Elementary

Be a building block for fundamental skills, such as reading, writing, math, and critical-thinking. Prepare to teach problem-solving from Grade 1 through Grade 6. As an elementary teacher, you will help young students develop social skills and positive learning habits.

Coursework includes: Literacy Methods & Beginning Reading Instruction; Methods for Students with Disabilities in Elementary; Measurement & Assessment of Learning; PE & Health, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Math & Sciences Methods.

PreK-12

Foster students’ abilities to learn independently. Prepare to teach a specific subject to Kindergarten through Grade 12. As a PreK-12 student, you have the choice of pursuing the following endorsement areas: P.E., Spanish, Theatre Arts, or Visual Arts.

Coursework includes: Measurement & Assessment; Integrated Technology in the Classroom; and Effective Classroom Management.

Middle Grades

Impact who students become later in life, and cultivate positive experiences in school. Prepare to teach a specific subject to Grade 5 through Grade 8. As a Middle Grades student, you have the choice of pursuing the following endorsement areas: Literacy, Math, Science, or Social Science.

Coursework includes: Literacy Methods for Middle School; Adolescent & Child Literature; and Accessing Content Area: Students with Disabilities.

Secondary

Help students dive deeper into specific subject areas. Prepare to teach Grade 9 through Grade 12. As a Secondary student, you have the choice of pursuing the following endorsement areas: Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Math, or Theatre Arts.

Coursework includes: Accessing Content Area: Students with Disabilities; Content Area Methods; and Effective Classroom Management.

Special Education

Be a student advocate and create the best educational plan for students. Prepare to teach in preschool through age 21 classrooms. As Special Education teacher, you will serve a critical role in identifying and solving academic, functional, and behavioral problems.

Coursework includes: Positive Behavior Supports, Chronic Behavior, Adapting Instruction for Diverse Learners, and Communication & Language Disorders.

Office of Admission

Johnson Center
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4050
Admissions@rockford.edu

Hours:
Mon-Fri - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
After hour appointments available by request