Earn your Masters degree in one year while obtaining hands-on skills and training necessary to be an effective teacher in urban school settings

Masters Degree: AUSL partners with National Louis University to provide residents with teacher certification coursework and a Masters degree. Residents train at NLU's downtown campus, conveniently located at 122 South Michigan Avenue.

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Degree (Non-Certified Residents): Summer and fall course work will prepare you for the classroom with teaching methods courses in Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, educational psychology, technology in education, research, and more. In addition to preparing for IL Type 03 (K-9) or Type 09 (6-12) initial teaching certification, you will choose an elective track to earn an endorsement in either Middle Grades or in Special Education (Learning Behavior Specialist 1).

Masters in Urban Education (M.Ed.) Degree (Certified Residents): AUSL's course sequence focuses on the issues and challenges educators face in urban environments, including being a culturally responsive teacher, masters-level course work in Literacy, and using data to differentiate instruction for diverse learners. In addition, all M.Ed. residents will earn an endorsement in Special Education (Learning Behavior Specialist 1). (The AUSL M.Ed. program does not prepare participants for IL Type 75 administrative certification, nor does it accommodate electives to add additional content endorsement courses.)

Coursework and Classroom Residency: The AUSL Chicago Teacher Residency program weaves together theory and practice; university course work complements your classroom experience with your mentor teacher.

Cohort Learning Experience: As an AUSL resident, you will take all university courses together as a cohort, using a course sequence and schedule customized for our program. Residents attend university classes full time during the summer and on Fridays during the school year.

AUSL Mentor-Resident Coaches: MRCs supplement university faculty, leading "teacher moves" professional development sessions to equip residents with practical classroom management and instruction strategies to practice.

University Expenses: Residents are responsible for all university tuition and fees. However, NLU offers AUSL residents a significant tuition discount, and loans and other financial aid are available, including loans that can be forgiven through post-graduate service teaching in a high-needs school. (more)