Western Illinois University

• Your potential. Our purpose.
• Macomb
• Quad Cities
• Online
• APPLY NOW

WIU Home > COEHS > School of Education > Grad > Mat

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) - Alternative Licensure

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) - Alternative Licensure is a two year residency program wherein candidates are hired by a school district on a provisional teaching license, are paid a beginning teacher salary, and take courses over a two year period. Since 2021, WIU's MAT Residents have found jobs in over 180 schools across the state. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will receive an Illinois Professional Educator License in one of the following areas:

• Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2)
• Elementary (Grades 1-6)
• Middle Grades (Grades 5-8) Language Arts, General Science, Social Science, or Mathematics
• Music (Grades PK-12)
• Physical Education (Grades PK-12)
• Secondary English (Grades 9-12)
• Secondary History (Grades 9-12)
• Secondary Mathematics (Grades 9-12)
• Secondary Science (Grades 9-12): Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth, or Space Science, Environmental Science
• Special Education (Grades K-Age 22) - Learning Behavioral Specialist (LBS1)
• Visual Arts (Grades PK-12)
• World Language: French (Grades PK-12)
• World Language: Spanish(Grades PK-12)

Eligibility

• Document a minimum of 2 years of post-baccalaureate work experience or acquire a waiver from a school/district . 
• For the early childhood, elementary, or special education licensure areas - Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with 32 semester hours combined in language arts, math, science, and social studies coursework. A minimum of 9 semester hours is needed to start the program.
• For all other licensure areas, applicants must have a bachelors degree from an accredited university in the content area of licensure sought; or a bachelor's degree with 32 semester hours in the content area sought.

Procedures for Applying to WIU

1. Contact our Coordinator of MAT Residency and Licensure (Kristen Barclay, KK-Barclay@wiu.edu; 309/298-2117) who will review your transcripts for eligibility into the program. 
2. Once your eligibility is confirmed, apply for admission , declaring Master of Arts in Teaching - Alternative Licensure as your area of study. You must meet the general admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and have a minimum cumulative GPA for all undergraduate work of 2.75.
3. Within two weeks, one of the MAT Coordinators will receive notice of your application and will contact you to make arrangements for an intake meeting.
4. After a few days, you will receive a welcome email from the School of Graduate studies containing important new students’ information. Watch your email account for this.
5. Set up necessary email, ECOM username and password , and communicate that account information to MAT@wiu.edu so that you will have access to the MAT Portal . 
6. Access important documents and information needed to begin  your studies.
7. Check Job-Postings here.

Procedures for Getting an Alternative Provisional Educator (APE) License

1. Document time spent in a school setting. Those without experience in schools take 2 credit hours of EDS 592: Field Experience.
2. Complete online training modules in lesson planning, assessment, ESL, and classroom management.
3. Complete School Safety Training and Mandated Reporter Training.
4. Pass applicable Content Tests ( http://www.il.nesinc.com/ )
5. Apply for open teaching positions via  IASA Illinois Education Job Bank  and  Unfilled Positions  or through connections in your local area. Note that hiring authorities will require a background check.
6. Secure a full-time teaching job that requires the license you are pursuing. Positions must be with schools or organizations that have a PEL authorized supervisor (principal) in the building. 
7. Work with the WIU Licensure Officer to receive your Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for Alternative Educator (ELS - APE).

Once You Have the Provisional License

• Begin a two-year residency program as a paid teacher of record with the support of a mentor teacher and a university supervisor while completing program coursework. Students may begin coursework before beginning their residency.
• Complete required coursework in the MAT program for the licensure area sought ( program degree plans ). 
• To qualify for a full Professional Educator License, students must be approved through the evaluation of their principal and university supervisor, and complete any coursework deficiencies indicated through the eligibility process by the end of the program.

MAT Teaching Residency (EDS 600)

The EDS 600 teaching residency is a 4 semester, 1 credit hour each semester, teaching internship. Once accepted into the MAT program, the MAT Candidate must pass the content test for their licensure program and complete all the requirements in the  MAT Licensure Checklist , the MAT Candidate must locate and secure a teaching placement that meets ISBE requirements. The Candidate and the hiring district must submit a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the district's agreement to provide  supervision and evaluation of the resident teacher along with the university. Once enrolled in EDS 600 the MAT Candidate becomes an MAT Resident. 

Deadlines for Application

Deadlines for Submitting Provisional Licensure Material to Begin Residency+

• For a Fall/August residency start, submit all materials via  MAT Portal *  by July 1.
• For a Spring/January residency start, submit all materials via MAT Portal * by November 1.

+Only accepted students can submit materials for residency.

*Access will be granted upon acceptance into the program

MAT Student Resources

Use this link for access to student resources for degree plans, financial aid information, a program checklist, frequently asked questions, course information, transcript evaluation instructions, as well cost analysis. This information will assist in better understanding the steps and requirements that lead to successful MAT degree completion. 

Connect with us: