Over 20,000 students, of which 3,000 are graduate students, attend Illinois State University each year. The Central Illinois community of Normal-Bloomington, home of Illinois State, has a population of 100,000. The Graduate School coordinates over 47 master's, specialist, and doctoral degree programs, as well as over 28 graduate certificates. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and holds discipline-based accreditation by 23 accrediting agencies. Mission of the Graduate School The Graduate School shall contribute to the advancement of knowledge through research and instruction.