Teaching Programs in Illinois
Getting a teaching degree online in Illinois allows you to study more flexibly, earn your degree on your own time, and get the same level of preparation as on-campus students. And with many different degrees available from colleges and universities throughout the state, you have your pick of degree options!
Your options aren’t just limited to where you get your degree. Instead, you can also pursue different types and levels of degrees. As an Illinois student, you can get an undergraduate or graduate degree online in areas like elementary education, secondary education, or special education. Some programs focus on curriculum and instruction, pedagogy, and teaching practices, too.
The list below outlines some of the popular online teaching degrees in Illinois. Learn about each one, determine which one aligns with your goals the best, and start your journey to becoming a teacher!
Online Teaching Degrees in Illinois
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online teaching degrees in Pennsylvania:
- Greenville University
- National Louis University
- McKendree University
- University of Illinois-Springfield
- Illinois State University
- University of Illinois Chicago
- Walden University
- Grand Canyon University
- National University
Greenville University
Online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Greenville University was built especially for students who already have an associate’s degree. That being the case, you can complete the requirements to graduate with this degree in just two years. Not only that, but this program is preparatory for earning your Illinois teaching license.
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and allows you to transfer up to 90 credits toward your degree. Since just 120 credits are needed, that means you only need to complete 30 credits to earn your degree from Greenville University.
The curriculum is divided into two components: core coursework and professional education classes. Think of the core coursework as being the foundational knowledge you need to become a teacher with expertise in a wide range of subjects. You’ll take classes like Introduction to Fine Arts, Elementary Corrective Reading, and World Regional Geography. You’ll also take basic math, science, and social studies courses. Other requirements include the following:
- American Government
- Physics for Educators
- Wellness: Health and Fitness
- Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
- Children’s Literature
The Professional Education classes focus less on content knowledge and more on the profession of teaching. For example, you’ll take Introduction to Educational Practice in which you’ll learn about the American school system. This includes the historical, ethical, legal, and social issues that impact public school education. Likewise, you’ll take Cultural Awareness in the Classroom, which helps you understand the strategies you can use to meet the unique needs of each child you teach.
Furthermore, coursework on special populations is required. You’ll take the Exceptional Child class, which evaluates how children develop and explores strategies you can implement to address diverse student needs. You’ll use student performance data to develop curriculum goals and spend 20 hours in a special education classroom as further learning activities.
Professional education courses also cover topics such as the following:
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Measurement and Evaluation
- Early Professional Experience
- Communication and Technology for Educators
- The Clinical Experience
As is common for undergraduate teaching programs, you must complete a student teaching placement and an associated seminar. The 400-hour student teaching experience is done at an approved site with a mentor teacher who guides your development. You’ll start the experience in mostly an observational role, but you’ll gradually take over duties for most – if not all – of your mentor teacher’s classes.
The seminar component is extremely important. It gives you the opportunity to explore professional topics in education while also providing you feedback on your performance as a pre-service teacher. These seminars occur throughout your student teaching and provide you with consistent learning and growth opportunities to supplement your on-the-job training at your student teaching site.
It should be noted that while this program is offered online, you must come into the program from one of the following partner institutions of Greenville University:
- Kaskaskia College
- Lake Land Community College
- Lewis and Clark Community College
- Lincoln Land Community College
- Southwestern Illinois College
You can apply to Greenville University online. There is no application fee, and formal test scores are not required. You do, however, need to meet the following criteria:
- Have an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from one of the schools listed above.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide any other documentation as requested (e.g., high school diploma, immunization records, personal statement)
National Louis University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education
The Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from National Louis University prepares you to be a high school teacher in a public or private Illinois school. More specifically, you’ll meet the requirements for a State of Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in either Secondary English or Secondary Math.
Broadly speaking, this degree addresses the basic knowledge required to manage a classroom, inspire students to learn, and develop engaging curricular activities for high school students. You’ll also learn how to develop assessments (both formative and summative) and monitor each child’s academic progress along the way. You’ll further learn how to differentiate instruction to meet the specific needs of each child in your class.
The English degree option requires you to complete around 120 credits to graduate. Typically, this takes four years, but you can finish the program faster by taking an additional course each semester. Alternatively, you can study part-time and earn your degree in four-and-a-half to five or more years, depending on your course load each semester.
You’ll start the program by working on general education requirements. These introductory-level classes cover a broad range of topics. For example, you’ll take three communications courses, two humanities and fine arts courses, and five courses relating to math and natural sciences. Furthermore, you’re required to complete two courses in social and behavioral sciences and four basic classes in English and education:
- Beginning English Composition
- Intermediate English
- Children’s Literature for Educators
- Equity in Education
The next portion of this program focuses on career development. You’ll take a class called Student Success Seminar, which explores the challenges you might face as an undergraduate education major. You’ll learn how to adapt to the rigors of college studies, develop a roadmap to achieve your professional goals, and create strategies for meeting your personal goals as well.
That class is supplemented by a course on Creating and Communicating the Professional Brand. You’ll learn how to put your best foot forward by setting goals, developing a job portfolio, and developing a strong resume. You’ll learn the value of practicing interview questions and creating an online job profile (on LinkedIn, for example). You’ll also participate in other activities that help you build confidence in yourself as a prospective teacher.
Next, you’ll complete 60 credits of education-related coursework ranging from literacy to teaching methods to adolescent development. Other classes focus on areas such as:
- Linguistic Considerations for Learning to Read in a New Language
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Middle and Secondary Education
- Literary Criticism and Analysis
- Methods of Teaching Literacy in Middle and Secondary Education
- Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Secondary English
You’re also required to take English-related courses in preparation for being a pre-service English teacher. These classes will help you develop the content knowledge and skills necessary to promote competency of English among your students.
You’ll start with classes like American Literature to 1865 and Advanced English Composition. You’ll then explore specific areas of this field, like Latinx Literature, British Literature, and Literature of the Black Diaspora. A course on American Literature from 1865 to the Present is also required.
Finally, you’ll complete a student teaching practicum. This 10-credit field experience enables you to put what you’ve learned in your classes to the test in a real-world secondary education environment. National Louis University will work with you to find an appropriate student teaching placement near where you live to minimize your need to commute.
You must meet the following requirements to apply as a first-year student:
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
McKendree University
Online Master of Arts in Teaching
McKendree University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching that was developed specifically for bachelor’s degree holders who do not yet have a teaching certification. The program offers numerous specializations that build on your existing content knowledge, including:
- Elementary Education
- Middle School Education
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
- K-12 Physical Education
No matter which specialization you choose, you can complete all the coursework online. Likewise, each specialization focuses on helping you acquire the necessary teaching skills to create an engaging classroom environment, develop curricula, and create assessments to measure students’ progress.
Among these specialties, middle school education is a popular option. In Illinois, a middle school teaching credential allows you to teach grades 5-8. The curriculum for the program reflects this. For example, you’ll take a course on Middle Grade Schooling and Philosophies, which explores teaching theories and techniques that promote middle-level learning. This course also analyzes prominent educational philosophies to guide curriculum and instruction for middle-grade students.
Another course that offers many benefits to you as a future teacher is Introduction to Planning, Delivery, and Assessment. As the course name indicates, you’ll learn how to develop lesson plans that adhere to state standards, deliver those lessons in engaging and exciting ways, and assess the progress of your students toward competency of critical course topics.
Since this program focuses almost exclusively on professional skills and topics in education, you are further required to take classes like the following:
- Introduction to Teaching and Educational Psychology
- Teaching and Learning With Technology
- The Learning Environment
- Multicultural Education
- Instruction of Diverse Learners
Furthermore, you’ll complete 18 credits of content-related courses. These classes focus on intermediate and advanced concepts in English, math, social science, or natural science, depending on the content area you choose.
You’re also required to take a Content Area Methods course. This class is important because it connects your content area expertise with the art and science of teaching that content to middle-level students. So, for example, if you choose social science as your content area, you’ll learn essential teaching methods for history, geography, civics, and other social science fields.
The student teaching portion of the program occurs during the final semester. Student teaching is worth five credits toward your degree and requires you to complete an extended experience in a middle-level classroom at an approved public or private school. You must also complete a 60-hour field experience prior to student teaching, which serves as an introduction to the middle school teaching environment.
You’ll work directly with a supervisory teacher during the field experience and student teaching. Your supervisor will provide guidance and feedback on your progress as a pre-service teacher. You’ll also get valuable feedback from your professors in a required Teaching Performance Assessment class and a Professional Educator Seminar.
The admissions requirements are as follows:
- Submit a completed application for admission. There is no fee to apply.
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Have a 3.0 GPA or higher for all undergraduate work.
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Provide three professional references.
- Submit an essay in which you describe your personal and professional goals and how this program will help you achieve those goals.
University of Illinois-Springfield
Online Master of Arts in Education
At the University of Illinois-Springfield, you can pursue a Master of Arts in Education that is designed especially for practicing teachers. This program allows you to expand your existing knowledge and expertise in teaching by studying advanced topics that enable you to improve your classroom teaching or move into administrative or leadership roles within your school.
This program is customizable, with numerous concentrations available, including the following:
- English as a Second Language
- Education Technology Specialist
- Higher Education Online Pedagogy
- Leadership and Learning
- Learning Behavior Specialist I
- Legal Aspects of Education
The structure of the program is the same, no matter which specialization you choose. For example, you are required to take either Educational Research Methods or Introduction to Research. The purpose of this requirement is to familiarize you with data collection and analysis. Moreover, you’ll learn how to use the data you collect and analyze to drive curricular and instructional decision-making.
You must also take two courses related to educational leadership. The first class is Action Research for Leadership, which focuses on modern educational theories and perspectives related to becoming a strong leader in your school. The second course is Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Advocacy, which equips you with the expertise needed to identify potential cases of maltreatment and take the appropriate measures to report your concerns and advocate on behalf of the child.
Regardless of the specialization you choose, you must also complete a capstone project. This is a summative project that occurs toward the end of the program. Its purpose is to facilitate an exploration of your learning throughout the program and help you identify ways to apply your learning in the context of a current problem or issue in education. Think of the capstone like a thesis but focused more on real-world issues than the hypotheses you test in a research-based project.
Where the program diverges is in the elective component. This is where you’ll take classes that align with your chosen specialization. Assume for illustrative purposes that you choose the English as a Second Language track. As such, you’ll complete 21 credits of coursework focusing on how to teach English language learners.
For example, you’ll take Theoretical Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language as an introductory course to this field. You’ll explore various theories of teaching ESL courses, examine historical perspectives in this field, and learn how to implement ESL strategies in your classroom.
Likewise, you’ll take Assessment of ESL Students to learn how to develop valid and reliable methods of gauging student progress. Going hand in hand with that is the Methods and Materials for ESL course, which introduces you to instructional strategies and tools you can use in an ESL classroom to promote student learning. Other required courses include the following:
- Cross-Cultural Studies for Multilingual Students and Families
- Linguistics
- ESL Clinical Experience
Completing the ESL classes outlined above not only helps you finish your graduate degree in education, but it also results in a Graduate Certificate in English as a Second Language.
To apply, ensure you meet the following requirements:
- Have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit an essay in which you discuss your career goals, academic interests, and personal experiences pertaining to your decision to apply to this program.
National University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from National University focuses on teaching and learning in a single subject. By completing this program, you’ll be prepared for a career teaching social studies at the middle school or high school level.
To earn your degree, you must complete 180 quarter credits, which typically requires four years of full-time study. During this time, you’ll take general coursework, major coursework, and teacher education courses.
The general education component includes studies across various fields, such as math, science, and social science. After completing these courses, you’ll progress to major-area topics, including U.S. History I and II, World Civilizations I and II, and Introduction to Politics. Additional foundational courses include:
- American Politics
- Geography
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Principles of Microeconomics
As you advance through the program, you’ll take upper-level courses that examine specific social science fields. For example, The Ancient World explores human history from 10,000 B.C.E. to 500 B.C.E., focusing on the development of agriculture, complex societies, and the Aegean civilization.
Another upper-level course, The Modern World – 1500-Present, studies global changes over the past 700 years. Topics include colonial expansion, the Industrial Revolution, global wars, and the post-Cold War period.
Additional advanced studies include:
- American Colonial Experience
- Historical Theories and Methods
- U.S. Between Wars, 1865-1917
- U.S. Since World War I
You’ll also complete a capstone research project, which requires writing a detailed research paper to enhance your understanding of a specific historical topic.
The teacher education component begins with foundational courses that focus on the American educational system. These courses examine factors influencing a child’s learning, including social, psychological, and economic elements. You’ll also study essential learning theories, human development, and strategies for integrating these concepts into lesson planning and teaching.
Further teacher education courses address topics such as literacy, language development, and curriculum design. You’ll learn to create short-term and long-term curricula, align instruction and assessments with content standards, and apply evidence-based practices to meet New York state standards.
The final portion of the program is the student teaching experience. This takes place in a K-12 classroom at an approved school. You’ll complete at least 600 instructional hours during a 16-18 week period of full-time teaching. Throughout this experience, you’ll receive guidance from a veteran teacher.
You can apply for this program online. Ensure that you meet the following requirements before applying:
- Complete the application (there is no application fee).
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.