Degree Types

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

The M.A.T. degree is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than education. It emphasizes entrance requirements to the teaching profession and provides licensure by entitlement in early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education or special education in the State of Illinois.

A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit toward a master’s degree may be transferred from another institution.

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The M.Ed. degree is designed for licensed professional teachers seeking advanced preparation for higher levels of professional competence in the classroom. The degree may also be available to other professionals in accordance with program-specific admission criteria.

A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit toward a master’s degree may be transferred from another institution.

Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)

The Ed.S. degree is a post-master, pre-doctoral degree designed to meet the needs of school leaders who have completed their master’s level work and need advanced specialization in the areas of their master’s concentration.

In addition to the general NCE graduate admissions requirements, all applicants for the Ed.S. (with exception of the Ed.S. in School Psychology) must have a master’s degree from a school with institutional accreditation.

Individual programs may have additional requirements. 

Students in an Ed.S. program are required to take 15 semester hours in no more than five consecutive academic quarters.

Six semester hours of transfer, workshop and professional development credit may be applied to the Ed.S. degree if approved by the student’s advisor. Students who transfer six semester hours of graduate credit from another accredited institution may not apply professional development credit.