Illinois Teacher Certification Programs with School Options

In Illinois, there are more than 50 colleges and universities that offer teacher education degree programs. Interested students can pursue bachelor's and/or master's degree programs to prepare for teacher certification and licensure. Programs are typically in the fields of education or teaching, and individuals may elect to choose concentration fields that align with personal career goals. Read on to learn about the 10 largest schools offering teacher preparation programs, including summaries of the degree programs and tuition information.

DePaul University

Chicago-based DePaul University is home to a College of Education that offers about 21 bachelor's degrees, 48 master's degrees and multiple certification and endorsement programs for current teachers. For instance, the school offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program in multiple education-related disciplines, from early childhood education and elementary education to physical education and secondary education. In the B.S. in Early Childhood Education degree program, courses cover topics like children's literature, the behavior of young children and early childhood assessment. Students also complete a minimum of 152 clock hours of supervised teaching experience with students of varying ages. In the B.S. in Secondary Education program, students choose specific subjects to focus on, from biology to environmental science. The university also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Education in multiple specializations, like history, visual arts or social sciences.

Illinois State University

In Normal, students at Illinois State University can choose between 43 teacher education programs (including 29 undergraduate education degree programs). Many of the programs are available through the College of Education, such as the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed) with an emphasis in early childhood education. This degree program requires more than 150 clock hours in experiential learning as well as courses that cover topics like technology for young students, child development and student assessment. Another degree option is the B.S.Ed in Elementary Education with an emphasis on bilingual/bicultural education. In that degree program, students take on a year-long student teaching experience and complete courses in topics like teaching methods for bilingual/bicultural classrooms, adolescent development and elementary-level literacy.

At the graduate level, students can pursue a Master of Science in Special Education, which requires completion of 39 semester hours. In required courses, students explore topics like the basics of special education, student assessments and teaching strategies for diverse needs in a classroom. Other topics include behavior analysis and special education administration. Students must prepare a portfolio and complete a capstone experience.

Loyola University Chicago

At Chicago-based Loyola University, aspiring teachers can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in one of seven different concentrations, including bilingual/bicultural education, secondary education or elementary math education. The B.S. in Education program is divided into three phases: the first two phases are three semesters each, while the third phase is two semesters. In the first phase, students learn about educational policy, how to teach a diverse student population and about the relation between schools and communities. The second phase is when a student chooses their specific concentration. Each concentration has separate course requirements, except for some common classes that cover topics like literacy and use of data. During the final two semesters, students undertake a year-long teaching experience in one school while taking courses that explore curriculum development and teacher assessment.

The School of Education at this college also offers several dual programs where students can earn a bachelor's and master's degree in education in five years, as well as Master of Arts and Master of Education degree programs and certification-only programs for current teachers.

Northern Illinois University

At this school in Dekalb, students can pursue multiple undergraduate teaching education degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with concentrations in early childhood studies, physical education or health education. Through the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies, offered through the Special and Early Education Department, students can qualify to teach children from birth through third grade in the state of Illinois. The curriculum includes a special education component, allowing the program's graduates to teach special needs children at the preschool level.

The B.S.Ed. in Physical Education degree program requires that students submit an electronic portfolio as part of student teaching requirements. Students learn a variety of dance styles, sport skills, adapted and special physical education, among other topics. There are two emphases: general physical education with certification for grades 6-12 and general physical education with certification for grades K-12 and 6-12. Each emphasis has its own requirements. In the B.S.Ed. in Health Education, aspiring teachers learn how to present information on drugs, general health issues and sexuality education.

Northwestern University

At Evanston-based Northwestern University, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education through the university's School of Education and Social Policy. Required courses in this degree program explore various educational philosophies and how to teach children with special needs. Students must also complete a student teaching assignment during their senior year.

Graduate-level students can pursue a Master of Science in Education in multiple concentrations: elementary teaching, secondary teaching or teacher leadership. Each concentration has its own requirements, but all students complete a master's project that focuses on a problem identified by students during their year-long student teaching experience.

Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

At Southern Illinois University's Carbondale campus, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education in multiple concentrations, including art, mathematics education, elementary education and technology education. Each concentration has its own requirements, but students must complete clinical experience and student teaching, in addition to a capstone experience where they complete 45-minute interviews with Teacher Education Program faculty facilitators.

At the graduate level, students can pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching that includes a year-long internship in a local school. The M.A.T. can be completed in 15 months, including summer sessions. Eleven courses are required and students learn about research methods, classroom management and instructional leadership.

Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville

In Edwardsville, prospective teachers attending this campus of Southern Illinois University may consider its Bachelor of Science in Education program, which is available with concentrations in areas like early childhood education, elementary education, health education and special education. The B.S.Ed. in elementary education is available with K-9 licensure. In a student's sophomore year, they take the ICTS Test of Academic Proficiency. The next year, students focus on their chosen specialization and take the necessary courses in those specializations.

For those who are interested in special education, there is the Master of Science in Education with several emphases, such as professional development, learning behavior specialist and a second license in special education. There is also a Post-Master's Program for those who have a master's degree and license; these students can earn special education certification after completing 24 credit hours. No matter the emphasis, all students complete a research project.

University of Illinois at Chicago

At Chicago's University of Illinois campus, students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Education with an emphasis in elementary education or a Master of Education in one of several concentrations, including early childhood education, elementary education, science education or special education. The B.A. in Urban Education degree program includes study of topics in mathematics for the urban classroom, cultural issues, language and literacy. Individuals must complete a supervised teaching experience. Each concentration in the Master of Education degree program has its own requirements.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education requires completion of 96 credit hours beyond a bachelor's degree or 64 credits beyond the master's degree. Core courses cover topics like educational inquiry, interpretation of data and 24-56 credit hours in special education courses, depending on which degree a student enters the program with. A preliminary examination and dissertation are also required.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

This Champaign-based school offers students the chance to pursue a Bachelor of Science with one of three education-focused majors: early childhood education, elementary education or special education. Students who complete the elementary education major, a 125-credit degree program, are eligible to teach at the kindergarten through ninth grade levels. Participants must choose an area of concentration, with the options of mathematics, social studies, science and humanities.

Professional education coursework shifts focus to the elementary level and includes methods for teaching a diverse array of subject material. In the special education major, students can pursue the Learning and Behavior Specialist I certificate. The degree program qualifies participants to teach special education from kindergarten through age 21. The curriculum includes methods for teaching and interacting with students who have learning disabilities, autism, social or emotional disorders and brain damage. Emphasis is placed on principles of behavior along with community relationships and cultural diversity. At the graduate level, students can pursue a Master of Education (M.Ed), Master of Science or Master of Arts in several specialties, including elementary education, early childhood education or secondary education.

Western Illinois University

Located in Macomb, Western Illinois University offers 11 undergraduate programs, 15 graduate programs and a variety of certificate programs. The undergraduate options include a Bachelor of Science in Education degree programs with different emphases related to education. Students can pursue these degree programs through a variety of departments. For example the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education is offered through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. That degree program includes an optional emphasis in Early Childhood Education; the department also offers the Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education. Students can also pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education in Bilingual/Bicultural Education. In that degree program, students are required to spend time abroad and must complete 16 weeks of supervised student teaching.