Commonly Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about the National College of Education.
The National College of Education (NCE) at National Louis University is a college within a university. It is designed to meet the needs of educators at all levels of their careers. NCE offers degree programs in early childhood, elementary, middle grades, secondary, and special education. In addition, NCE offers graduate degrees, endorsements, and certificates for teachers, for school administrators, and for faculty and staff at colleges and universities. The graduate degrees offered include Master’s degrees, Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degrees, and doctoral degrees.
National Louis University and the National College of Education meet rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP is the only educator preparation accreditor recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator licensure and endorsement programs are all approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
The following undergraduate degrees are offered:
- B.A. in Infant-Toddler Studies
- B.A. in Early Childhood Education
- B.A. in Special Education
- B.A. Secondary Education
- B.A. in Elementary Education
- B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
All of which lead to an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) and can be completed in the undergraduate college.
The National College of Education (NCE) offers Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) programs for students who already hold a Bachelor’s degree in a field other than education and wish to become licensed teachers:
The National College of Education offers advanced degrees for educators seeking to become leaders in instructional programs or to move into school or district administration roles. Other programs are offered for those looking to move to higher-education roles or even to the doctoral level.
Alternative Educator Licensure Program: This program is for paraprofessionals and other individuals who wish to become teachers. While completing the required coursework for licensure, these individuals will be supported by a range of tools, including a specialized mentoring system. They can complete coursework to receive licensure to teach students in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, or Special Education classrooms.
Student teaching at National Louis University through the National College of Education is the hands-on final step of your teacher preparation program. It requires a minimum of 10 weeks of full-time, supervised classroom practice in Birth-Grade 12 settings, supported by the Office of Field Experiences (OFE) and field supervisors.
Placement Options & Formats
- Traditional Student Teaching: Completed during your final quarter, typically unpaid and aligned with a cooperating mentor teacher's schedule.
- Year-Long Internships: A specialized Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) option where you can be hired by a partner school district as a paid full-time teaching assistant or intern for an entire academic year.
- Alternative Licensure / Residencies: Programs designed for candidates who step in as the teacher of record or learn alongside a mentor four days a week.
You need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in order to apply for an M.A.T. program to obtain a teaching certificate.
Program length varies, but most graduate licensure programs are designed to be completed within a two-year timeframe.
NCE’s Current Students resources are a wealth of information about the specific handbooks and requirements for each degree. These resources will outline specific details regarding field experience and licensure for students in each program.
