SXU Offers Online Graduate Program to Help State Teacher Shortage
The shortage of teachers in Illinois has been an increasingly serious problem over the past year, affecting nearly every subject area and region in the state. Schools have been forced to cancel programs, increase class sizes or use teachers who are not fully licensed in a particular subject area. According to a report released by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, 85 percent of Illinois school districts have reported experiencing some level of teacher shortage.
Saint Xavier University (SXU) is dedicated to providing programs and new avenues of success for its students and the community. In response to the teacher shortage crisis in Illinois, SXU announces its innovative Elementary Education Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) graduate program. The MAT program is the only Illinois graduate program that offers students their education completely online and will lead to an Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement to teach students in grades 1-6. MAT is designed to support career changers, paraprofessionals, as well as private and charter school teachers in need of completing a licensure program. The online format offers weekly flexibility for teacher-candidates who must balance their coursework with jobs and family commitments.
“Our dedicated faculty in Education have designed another excellent pathway for teacher training,” said SXU’s College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robin Rylaarsdam. “Last year we launched an Alternative Licensure programs for individuals in the Chicago region, available for all license levels. Now we are extending an online education from SXU to future elementary teachers throughout the state, including south and central Illinois, where the shortages are even more severe. Online endorsements programs in special education (LBS1) and ESL/bilingual education also are part of our offerings to all Illinois teachers.”
SXU is excited to help give back to the teachers of Illinois and to offer a solution to the steadily increasing teacher shortage. Those enrolled in the MAT graduate program will undergo an experience unique to Saint Xavier University students and easily available to residents both near and far. To learn more about SXU's MAT program or other graduate offerings, visit the SXU website or contact the Office of Graduate Admission at graduateadmissionFREESXU or 773-298-3053.