What do you offer? Is this an MAT (master of arts in teaching) program?
This is a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) Program that gives students the opportunity to pursue the following: Elementary and Secondary Teaching (certification is simultaneously pursued); Advanced Teaching (for those teachers who have their certification); and Higher Education Administration and Policy.
Elementary and Secondary are certificate programs in conjunction with the MS degree; Advanced Teaching and Higher Education Administration and Policy are strictly the MS degree. An MAT is not offered here.
Do you have an ESL/Bilingual Program?
No, we do not have an ESL/bilingual program. However, we do have a secondary foreign languages program, which includes teacher certification in Spanish, French, German or Latin. To learn more about teacher certification in one of these areas, please call the teacher certification office at 847/491-5362, or, e-mail our certification manager, Meg Kreuser, at certify@northwestern.edu.
Can I apply for the teaching certificate only? I know some schools will let you do this.
No. Certification alone cannot be pursued at Northwestern. We feel that our graduate master's coursework is very important to the development of our students as teachers and as future educational leaders.
I have an undergraduate degree in something other than education. Is it acceptable that I haven't had any education courses?
Yes. Our program is designed for both those who have formal education training and those who do not. If you are interested in teaching and receiving your certificate, you will generally pursue either elementary or secondary certification in the content area of your undergraduate degree. The graduate courses here, which generally focus on different issues of education (not specific content areas), will give you the qualifications for your master's degree.
Do you have any programs for current teachers?
Yes. For those who are current teachers and already have a state teaching certificate, we have the advanced teaching option within our master's program. We also have professional development courses for current teachers in our Advanced Teaching Certificate Program. The Advanced Teaching Certificate Program is a six-course sequence program; teachers may choose to focus their studies in one of the following areas: Issues of Teaching and Learning, Middle School Science Endorsement, or Service Learning.
How long does it take to get the MSEd degree?
15 graduate courses are required for the degree in any concentration. For elementary education and secondary education students, there may be teacher certification required courses, or, "deficiency" courses, in addition to these graduate courses. The number of deficiency courses is determined with a review of the student's previous academic coursework, in comparison to Northwestern's certification standards. In the application packet that we send you, you will find transcript review sheets and directions on how to complete these. You may also download these transcript review sheets from our web site. This will give you the general idea of the number of deficiency courses you will need to take. The sheets should be completed and submitted with your application.
If a person can attend full-time (from three to five courses per quarter), he/she can usually finish the program in a calendar year, if he/she begins in the fall quarter. Teacher preparation concentrations may take four to six quarters.
Is your program ranked anywhere?
In the 2005 Graduate School Rankings compiled by U.S. News and World Report, Northwestern's School of Education and Social Policy was listed overall as the 6th school of the top 50 education schools. There do not seem to be too many other resources that actually rank education schools, but your local librarian may be able to help you do further research.
Can I go part-time? Can I continue to work full-time?
In general, yes. Our program is designed to accommodate part-time students to the extent that it is possible. For elementary education and secondary education students, it is possible to go part-time up until your final Fall and Winter quarters. During that Fall quarter, you need enough time in your schedule to observe in the classroom for part of the week. During the final Winter quarter, you need to be in the classroom to student teach--this is a full-time commitment.
For the other concentrations, most of our courses are held in the late afternoon or evening. Please note that there is a five-year maximum allowable time to complete the program.
What is the non-matriculated student or special student status?
The primary difference between matriculated and non-matriculated is whether or not you are degree-seeking (that is to say, whether or not you will be entitled to walk in a graduation ceremony and receive the MSEd degree after finishing your last course). Non-matriculated students are non-degree-seeking; they are simply taking a few courses within our program. This is similar to what other programs may call a "Student At Large."
The non-matriculated status allows students to be affilliated with our program without having to complete a full application. There is a separate application to complete, which is shorter and less involved than the full matriculated application. To gain admission under the non-matriculated status, you will need to submit the non-matriculated student application, a statement of purpose, official sealed transcripts and a $25 application fee.
As a non-matriculated student, you may take up to four courses through the MSEd Program. If you wish to take additional classes beyond these four, you must complete an application as a regular (matriculated) student. You must submit a complete application - you must submit the exact same materials you would have to apply as a regular student as though you were starting from scratch (the matriculated student application form and all four essay questions, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, and two references, both of which must use the MSEd recommendation form). Acceptance as a non-matriculated student does not guarantee admission as a regular (matriculated) student.
Please note that if you are applying for teacher preparation concentrations as a non-matriculated student, certain classes (such as the practicum or student teaching seminars or classes in the master's project sequence) may not be taken until you have been accepted as a fully matriculated student. It should also be noted that, in general, non-matriculated students will be much more restricted in their financial aid eligibility than matriculated students.
Information about applying as a non-matriculated student.
What are the advantages of the non-matriculated status?
One, the non-matriculated status allows students to begin coursework early. If you would really like to start a certain quarter, but do not have your recommendations or GRE scores yet, this status allows you to do so while you are completing the full matriculated application.
Two, if you are a little unsure of our program or of your desire to be in the education field, this will allow you the opportunity to explore the program and the field.
How many people are in your program?
Currently, there are approximately 160 part-time and full-time students.
How many students are there in the various concentrations?
Enrollment does fluctuate between concentrations, but this will give you a general sense of the breakdown of our students. Usually there are about 80 students in the Elementary Education and Secondary Education concentrations; a handful of students in the Advanced Teaching concentration; between 15 and 25 students in the Higher Education Administration and Policy concentration, and a changing number of non-matriculated students.
Can I take only one course? I just need to finish up a certification requirement for the state.
During the regular academic year (all quarters but summer), you may take up to four courses if you apply as a non-matriculated student. But you must go through the application procedures as a non-matriculated student. If you need to take one course that is not a MSEd course, you may try calling School of Continuing Studies (the school for continuing education) at 847/ 491-5611 to find out if they offer the types of courses you need.
During the summer, you may enroll and register for Summer Session Courses as a student at large if you are a profesional educator. MSEd courses may require instructor/department permission. Summer Session staff can be reached at the School of Continuing Studies number above.
Can I take an MSEd course if I am currently enrolled in another program at NU?
For some courses this is all right, if you obtain instructor/department permission. You would still register through your own program.
When can I apply to start the program?
We accept applications for every quarter. If you are interested in the elementary education or secondary education concentrations, however, and you plan to finish in a year (which means attending full time and having no more than three or four "deficiencies"), then the best time to start is the summer quarter before the fall. See our application deadlines for further information.
How many credits are your classes?
Our classes are "one class unit" each. This is equivalent to two and two-thirds semester hours.
Can I transfer courses from a different program?
You may petition to waive a core course if you have had an equivalent course elsewhere. This is not automatic and requires submitting a "Petition to Waive a Course" form to the assistant director. Even if your petition to waive a course is successful, however, you still need to complete fifteen graduate courses at Northwestern. This option would open up another elective course.
Is there a Master's Thesis?
No, but there is a Master's Project. For the Master's Project, the students are expected to explore a question that they find of genuine interest throughout the time that they are in the MSEd Program. During a student's final summer quarter in the Program, they take a required course, "Research and Analysis in Teaching and Learning III: Analysis Interpretation and Dissemination," in which they complete their project under the supervision of the instructor and with the feedback of their peers. More information about the Master's Project.
Are there any internships? Are they completed in addition to the fifteen courses?
For elementary education and secondary education students, there are required internships—the student teaching experience. This is offered in the winter quarter, after you have observed in the classrooms during the fall. The internship counts as two courses and is included in the 15 graduate courses required for the program.
For other concentrations, internships are strongly recommended if you are not currently working in the field. The MSEd staff works with students to find appropriate placements. There is flexibility in scheduling these internships, as well as flexibility for the amount of credit they are worth.
Where will I be placed for my internships?
We have placed students at a wide variety of settings, many of which are in the northern suburbs. But there are Chicago school district placements as well as placements in other parts of the greater Chicago metropolitan area. All students have an internship interview, which is designed to match your needs and desires with our department's roster of sites.
For the other concentrations, both the student and an MS academic adviser will work together to find a satisfying placement site.
Can I work during my internship?
Generally, no. If you are student teaching, you will be in school all day. Other concentrations have the option of taking partial internships, in which you could possibly work part time.
Can I come in and talk with someone?
Yes. We are happy to schedule informational meetings with prospective students. However, we find these meetings with prospective students to be more productive when they have had the chance to sift through our brochure and application packet. If you are in need of either a brochure or application packet, please contact the MSEd program office electronically or call 847/467-1458. You may also download application material from our website.
MSEd Program Application Materials
Can I talk with a faculty member? A current student, alumna, or alumnus?
Our classes are taught by various faculty members throughout the School of Education, and they are, in general, difficult to reach because of their busy schedules. If you would like to talk to a staff member, please call Pat Rodriguez, Assistant Director, at 847/491-7526 to set up an appointment. As far as current students and alumni, feel free to contact the program office either by e-mail or at the phone number above. They keep a list of phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Some students prefer not to give out their phone number, but are willing to call you.
I have an appointment. How do I find your office?
We are located at 618 Garrett Place, next door to the Sheil Catholic Center. We are immediately west of Sheridan Road, between Foster and Noyes streets. There are traffic lights at both Foster and Noyes. We have a driveway where you can park, and there is also limited two-hour street parking on Garrett Place.
You may also park at one of the parking lots on campus (there is a large parking lot on the east side of Sheridan Road near Garrett Place). However, note that Northwestern parking is crowded and police ticket before 4:00 p.m.
If you're arriving on the "el" train, get off at Foster or Noyes. Walk east to Orrington. Take a left onto Orrington if you got off at Foster, or a right if you got off at Noyes. When you get to Garrett Place, there will only be one direction you can turn. We are on the south side of the street.
Map of Northwestern University's Evanston campus.
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