Graduate Programs
Each MAT and MED program and campus has an assigned Graduate Advisor. Your Graduate Advisor will be an important partner to assist you to successfully meet all program requirements and reach your goals! Please be sure to schedule an appointment with your advisor in the first term of your program, and stay in touch with your advisor often. Your advisor will be best equipped to assist you with the multitude of questions that may arise. If your advisor cannot answer a question, they can connect you with someone who can.
At NLU, we have a proud and renowned history of teacher preparation. Please also visit the National College of Education Program Handbooks and Materials homepage to find program handbooks and many other important documents and information.
National Louis University requires that all candidates in programs that includes time spent in an Illinois school pass an Illinois State Police background check, a TB test, and a Certificate of Completion with the Department of Children and Family Services Mandated Reporter Training. Find the most current forms on the Office of Field Experience website.
Every MAT degree program goes through the Student Teaching Application process at different points in their program. The Graduate Advising team works closely with the Office of Field Experience and assists students to submit their applications by the program deadline. Deadlines can be found on the OFE site, along with FAQ’s.
If you are seeking a Professional Educator License (PEL) or endorsement on an existing license, you will need to submit an official request using the link available through your NLU student portal. More information and instructions can be found on the licensure website. Please visit ISBE's Licensure Information site for answers to some of your licensure and endorsement questions.
Many Education programs require a content test in the area of licensure to qualify for the PEL (Professional Education License). The content test must be passed prior to beginning a Student Teaching or Practicum II Placement (see your Advisor/Coach for deadline). Please see your Advisor/Coach for the test number and exact deadlines by program and term.
You will need to register on the ILTS website and can view free sample questions and for-purchase study materials available for each Content Test listed there. Upon receiving the good news of passing the content exam, please make sure your score is reported to NLU. You can do this by selecting NLU as your university at the time that you register for the exam. Note: Official scores will be sent to you approximately two-four weeks after taking the test. If you are in need of a test retake, ILTS requires a 14-day waiting period. This means waiting 14 days after the date of your last test to retake it.
NLU has also partnered with Mometrix, a leader in test preparation to provide their preparation materials to current NLU students free of charge. You can now access all of Mometrix’s study books, practice questions, and flashcards for the ILTS tests related to your licensure area in Mometrix eLibrary for study guides and flashcards. To access these materials: Open the Mometrix link, then enter your NLU sign-in information in the Portal. Once in, simply search for the ILTS content test study materials for your program area.
If you are in need of tutoring for English, Math or general test prep as you prepare for content tests, please visit the follow site to set up tutoring appointments. Learning Support can provide writing, reading, and math test support.
