Whether you’re an experienced teacher or planning to pursue a career as an educator, you understand the value of education and earning a degree. In Illinois, current and aspiring educators have a variety of programs to choose from, including online and hybrid learning options, which can be a convenient way to study without the hassle and expense of moving to campus. Use this STEPS student guide to learn more about online education degrees in Illinois.Best Online Education & Teaching Programs in Illinois (IL)
Looking at Reputable Associate Degrees in Illinois
Even if you can’t get a full Illinois teaching license with an associate degree, they’re an excellent option for future education professionals. It’s an affordable way to begin your undergraduate studies and fulfill general education requirements before moving on to your bachelor’s degree.
Lewis and Clark Community College
The online associate degree program in education at Lewis and Clark Community College prepares you to enroll in a bachelor’s degree in education that leads to an Illinois teaching license. Multiple fully online pathways for your associate degree in education are offered, with specializations in elementary education, special education, and early childhood education. Depending on your area of focus, you may be eligible for a transfer upon graduation which will automatically allow you to enroll in a bachelor’s at a four-year partner institution.
Location: Godfrey, Illinois
Mode: Online
Cost: $125/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- High school diploma or GED
Bachelor’s Degrees in Illinois: Popular Schools for Students
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree to receive an Illinois teaching license, and if you’re considering a career in a particular type of teaching, such as elementary education, science education, reading and literacy teaching, or others, you may also want to pursue one with a specialization.
University of Illinois Springfield
The BA in Middle Grades Education at the University of Illinois at Springfield is a four-year degree that can be completed on campus, online, or in a hybrid format. Once you’re enrolled in this program, you’ll complete 120 credit hours of coursework, including core courses, electives, and general education classes. Students can complete hands-on, experiential learning and specialize in an endorsement area, such as ESL or science education. Financial aid is available to all students, with UIS awarding some form of aid to over 90% of undergrads.
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Mode: In person, Online, Hybrid
Cost: $367.50/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- High school diploma or GED
- Official transcripts from prior education
Master’s Degrees: An Inside Look in Illinois
These postgraduate degrees are often designed for experienced teachers who want to specialize or prepare for a leadership role. There are also some master’s programs intended for career changers looking to become teachers.
Illinois State University
The MS in Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University is a fully online program that can be completed in roughly two years of full-time study. This includes an independent research portion of the degree, where you will design a research topic with the help of a supervisor, and then write an original research piece as your final degree task. This is truly a fully online degree, and you will not need to travel to campus or to any other site locations over the course of your studies, making it ideal for working professionals as well as those balancing personal or family responsibilities.
Location: Normal, Illinois
Mode: Online
Cost: $422.57/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
- Current teaching license and at least one year of teaching experience
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
PhD, Doctoral, and Graduate Certificate Programs: Illinois Edition
The highest-level education degrees, these postgraduate programs include research-intensive PhDs, professional doctorates known as EdDs, and non-degree postgraduate certificates. Which one is right for you depends on your long-term career goals, and how much time you can commit to postgraduate study.
DePaul University
DePaul University, a private Roman Catholic school, offers the EdD in Educational Leadership, a 76-credit doctorate program with a choice of three areas of concentration: General Concentration, Higher Education, and Global Catholic Educational Leadership. In each concentration, students complete coursework and independent research, and can pursue additional qualifications through DePaul’s superintendent endorsement, teacher leader endorsement, and principal licensure programs.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $723/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
- Master’s degree from an accredited school
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Valid Illinois teaching license
FAQs From Illinois Education Students
Is it important that my online education program in Illinois be accredited?
It is absolutely essential that your online education degree in Illinois come from an accredited school. This means that your school has met certain standards reviewed by a third-party accrediting body, and their ability to award degrees is legitimate. Future employers and other schools will place absolute importance on accreditation, and it’s crucial for your teaching license. You might also consider programmatic accreditation as an additional mark of quality.
How long does it take to complete an online education degree in Illinois?
The time to complete your online education program in Illinois will vary significantly depending on the degree in question, and how you choose to study. Associate degrees are some of the quickest to complete, taking two years of full-time study, while doctoral programs can take up to five years, depending on your program and dissertation requirements. If you choose to study part time while working, your time to graduate will be longer.
How much do online programs in education in Illinois cost?
The cost of your online education program in Illinois will vary substantially depending on both your school and the type of degree you’re pursuing. Generally, private universities are more expensive than public schools with in-state tuition, and graduate degrees are more expensive than undergraduate degrees. Remember that tuition may not be reduced with financial aid.
Are there scholarships for online education degrees in Illinois?
Yes, most schools offer some type of financial aid for online education students. Further, if your school is accredited (and it should be), you will be eligible to apply for state and federal financial aid, so long as you fill out your FAFSA on time. Explore scholarship opportunities from private charities and other foundations, including awards for future teachers and historically underrepresented student groups.
Can I specialize in my online education program in Illinois?
Not only can you specialize within your online education program in Illinois, for many programs, especially postgraduate degrees including master’s and doctoral programs, specialization is the point. You can choose an area of focus, such as math or science education, curriculum and instruction, etc., and earn specialized credentials for your degree.
Illinois Salary & Career Growth for Education Graduates
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Elementary School Teachers | $47,410 | $101,500 | $64,900 |
| Illinois | Kindergarten Teachers | $46,320 | $101,910 | $64,720 |
| Illinois | Middle School Teachers | $47,770 | $105,460 | $66,140 |
| Illinois | Postsecondary Teachers | $27,040 | $108,410 | $66,400 |
| Illinois | Secondary School Teachers | $48,150 | $128,820 | $77,130 |
| Illinois | Teachers and Instructors | $34,590 | $101,830 | $58,400 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Elementary School Teachers | 58,400 | 59,900 | 1,500 | 2.60% |
| Illinois | Kindergarten Teachers | 4,100 | 4,210 | 110 | 2.70% |
| Illinois | Middle School Teachers | 22,580 | 23,180 | 600 | 2.70% |
| Illinois | Postsecondary Teachers | 3,380 | 3,430 | 50 | 1.50% |
| Illinois | Secondary School Teachers | 44,640 | 45,960 | 1,320 | 3.00% |
| Illinois | Teachers and Instructors | 1,830 | 1,860 | 30 | 1.60% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Resources for Illinois Education Students & Professionals
Even once you’ve enrolled in your program, your community and support network doesn’t have to be limited to your school. In Illinois, there are a wide range of resources for current and future teachers to help. Here are a few to get you started:
- Golden Apple Illinois: The Illinois arm of the regional Golden Apple program, they offer tuition assistance and professional development support to Illinois high school and college students who are pursuing careers in teaching.
- Illinois Association of Teachers of English: Current and future English teachers in Illinois, including English language, literature, and ESL teachers, can join this membership organization, which provides professional networking and development opportunities.
- Illinois Education Association: The largest union in the State of Illinois, the Illinois Education Association represents and bargains on behalf of public school employees, and has done so for over a century.
- Illinois Federation of Teachers: The Illinois Federation of Teachers, or IFT, is a professional union for teachers in the state, which advocates for its members and on behalf of educators in Illinois more broadly.
- Illinois Science Teaching Association: For current and future Illinois science teachers, the ISTA is a membership organization that promotes science education in K-12 schools throughout the state and hosts a conference and professional development.
- Illinois State Board of Education: This is the official website for the Illinois State Board of Education. Here you’ll find information about earning and maintaining your Illinois teaching license, scholarship opportunities, and more.
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission: This is a state scholarship organization which provides support and financial assistance to some of the most promising current and future college students in the State of Illinois.
- Let’s Talk Teaching: A podcast produced by the Center for Integrated Professional Development at Illinois State University, Let’s Talk Teaching features over 90 episodes focused on techniques for becoming a better teacher.
- Southern Illinois Future Teachers Coalition: Since 2021, this coalition that partners with high schools and colleges has sought to address the teacher shortage in Southern Illinois by encouraging and supporting future educators in the region.
- We Love Illinois Schools: A podcast produced by the Illinois State Board of Education, We Love Illinois Schools features episodes highlighting the individuals and programs that are making Illinois public schools the best they can be.
List of the Best Online Education & Teaching Schools in Illinois
While there are many considerations when choosing the school that’s best for you, when it comes to online education programs in Illinois, there are some objective factors worth noting. From ease of online classes, to student resources, to availability of financial aid, we’ve reviewed and ranked Illinois schools to help with your research. For details on our process, see the methodology tab, and read on for the best online education and teaching programs in Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois
Public
Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois
Public
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois
Private
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, Illinois
Public
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois
Private
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois
Private
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
Public
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois
Private
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois
Private
Chicago State University
Chicago, Illinois
Public
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois
Private
