Requirements

The five-course NBCT sequence is designed to meet the needs of several groups of teachers:

• Those who want to improve their teaching and prepare themselves to achieve National Board Certification now or sometime during their career.
• Those who are active NBCT candidates and want to earn graduate level credit as they develop the required portfolio in response to NBPTS submission guidelines.
• Those who have achieved NBCT and want to earn graduate credit as they develop an NBCT Leadership Portfolio.
• New teachers who want to experience the NBCT portfolio process in advance of submitting for full candidacy to the NBPTS (TAKE ONE Exercise).
• The NBCT Specialization engages teachers in the preparation and submission of the NBPTS portfolio in any one of 25 certificate areas (as defined by the NBPTS organization (nbpts.org).
• Online and on ground support is available and provided beyond the program requirements

The School of Education and the National University NBCT Professional Teaching Development Center (PTDC) provide the following online and on- ground services, opportunities and program options for new, practicing, and accomplished educators:
• Support and Assistance for NBCT Candidates and School Districts
• Access to Candidate Support Providers (CSPs) and NBCT Faculty
• Holding National Board Certification meets requirements for clearing preliminary credentials
• Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science in Instructional Leadership, Master’s in Accomplished Collaborative Leadership
• Teachers Leader and Professional Development Opportunities
• Support for Principals pursuing Principal NB Certification ( 2011).
• Networking and Celebration of Accomplishments
• Roles for NBCTs

Specialization Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the NBCT Leadership Specialization, candidates are expected to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to focus on student learning through a systematic study and reflection of one’s own teaching practices and through shared knowledge gained from purposefully formed professional learning communities.
2. Demonstrate a commitment to educating all students by examining cross-cultural educational issues and relating those to enhancing student learning.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of how to teach students by effectively accessing and using research based learning theories, assessment strategies, teaching models, technology, and classroom management strategies to educate all learners.

Required Courses

(5courses; 22.5 quarter units)
In this specialization/certificate, the NBC 639 is the capstone course and replaces the general MAT 640 requirement for the degree or certificate.

NBC 680 or NBC1201x – Quality Teaching and Learning
NBC 681 – Membership in Learning Communities
NBC 682 – Videotape Analysis
NBC 683 – Student Work and Assessments
NBC 639 – Leadership Portfolio (serves as the thesis project for the Master’s degree)