Degrees and certificates offered in the College of Education
Chicago-area bilingual paraprofessionals earn an elementary education teaching certificate
Bilingual paraprofessionals may earn an elementary education teaching certificate with a bilingual approval. Learn about the program.
Interested in teaching secondary education?
Secondary teacher education majors choose the subject they wish to teach and apply to the department that offers that teacher education program. For example, if a person wanted to teach high school English, he or she would major in English Teacher Education in the Department of English. Learn about the teacher education programs offered at Illinois State University.
The College of Education offers a range of undergraduate and graduate teacher education and administrator preparation programs and certificates. In total, there are 43 accredited teacher education programs at Illinois State.
Undergraduate Degrees
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Early Childhood Education
Prepares teacher candidates for certification in programs serving children, birth through age eight (third grade). The professional coursework of the program focuses on preparation for teaching in child care centers, pre-schools, 0–3 early intervention programs, and primary K–3 classrooms.
- Elementary Education
Prepares teacher candidates for certification in grade K–9 and provides professional knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to become highly effective elementary classroom teachers and informed decision-makers about elementary curriculum and instruction.
- Bilingual/Bicultural Concentration
Offered to students interested in using the Spanish language and culture as a teaching tool.
- Endorsement in Reading
Students may complete course work leading to the 24-hour reading teaching endorsement.
- Middle Level Education
Prepares teacher candidates to teach grades five through eight with preparation that emphasizes the child-centered approach of elementary education combined with the more structured content of secondary education.
Department of Special Education
- Specialist in Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Prepares teacher candidates to teach deaf and hard of hearing students from preschool through twelfth grade in public or residential schools or work as an itinerant teacher with students who are hearing impaired from preschool through secondary school.
- Specialist in Learning and Behavior
Prepares teacher candidates to teach students who may be identified as having learning disabilities, emotional or behavior disorders, mental retardation, physical disabilities, health impairments, and multiple disabilities in public schools or alternative settings with K–12 learners.
- Specialist in Low Vision and Blindness
Prepares teacher candidates to teach students, from preschool through secondary school, with visual disabilities in public schools or residential centers as a classroom, resource, or itinerant teacher.
Urban Education Study
Prepares teacher candidates to work with urban populations by selecting courses specifically designed for the urban education professional. While not a certified area, it is an elective option available to students in Elementary Education, Middle Level Education, Special K–12, High School, Early Education and Special Education programs.
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction
Designed primarily for those practicing teachers who want to become master teachers.The three master's programs offered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction do not lead toward teacher certification. Teacher certification for grades K–9 can only be obtained through a first or second bachelor's degree. Individuals interested in instructional technology and design (ITD) are encouraged to pursue this program of study as the ITD program is not currently accepting applications.
- Master of Science in Education in Reading
Prepares candidates with a focus in reading and writing, to plan reading and writing curriculum, implement language-centered instructional strategies, and design effective programs of reading and writing assessment, and design professional development in literacy. Endorsements certificates available as reading teacher and reading specialist.
- Graduate Certificate for Alternative Route to Secondary Teacher Certification (Post-Baccalaureate)
Intended for individuals who have already completed a bachelor's degree and are now interested in becoming teachers. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher in the content area in which certification is sought and must have at least five years of work experience in an area directly related to that content area. This program is for certification only and does not lead toward a graduate degree.
- Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
Prepares practitioners for educational leadership roles in both the public and private sector. Students may pursue courses of study related to service in positions such as faculty members in community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities; teacher educators; curriculum coordinators; staff development directors; or educational specialists in government, professional organizations, business, and industry.
Department of Educational Administration and Foundations
- Master's of Science and Master's of Science in Education
There are two concentrations for the Master's program: P–12 and College Student Personnel. Students in the P–12 program focuses on educational leadership through acquired skills, knowledge, values, and commitment necessary to succeed at entry-level educational leadership positions. Students in the College Student Personnel Administration program learn the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to enable them to perform the roles of administrator, counselor, and educator in student affairs and higher education administration.
- Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education
The Ed.D. program primarily serves those seeking administrative positions and the Ph.D. program serves those interested in focusing on research. The higher education concentration allows experienced educators and administrators to reflect on and advance their knowledge in ways that will further their careers and enhance their ability to make a contribution to higher education. The P–12 administration concentration develops students' ability to approach challenges and opportunities in schools using multiple perspectives and leadership skills.
Post-Master's Graduate Certifications
Department of Special Education
- Master of Science and Master of Science in Education
Prepares teachers to assume the advanced roles which special educators are called upon to fill through a Master of Science or a Master of Science in Education degree.
- Graduate Certificates in Special Education
- Learning Behavior Specialist II Advanced Certificate
- Curriculum Adaptation Specialist
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Technology Specialist
- Multiple Disabilities Specialist
- Transition Specialist
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Auditory/Oral Specialist (leads to advance certificate by University)
- Doctor of Education in Special Education
Designed to prepare individuals in teacher education, program design/management, and research/evaluation through a highly individualized program, based on educational and professional experience and career plans.
- Post-Master's Graduate Certification
- Certificate for Director of Special Education
- Certification for Director of Special Education Curriculum
