Doctorate in Education
Earning a doctoral degree in education may be a perfect path, depending on your professional goals. For example, postsecondary education instructors (those who teach the teachers!) typically earn a doctorate degree, like a PhD. iii A PhD in Education program may be quite research-intensive, requiring the candidate to write and defend an original dissertation. Another potential path is to pursue a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) program, which may interest those who hope to enhance their knowledge of education leadership, scholarship, and teaching practices. Here are a few possible subjects you might study in a doctorate program:
- Educational leadership
- STEM education
- Educational psychology
- Multilingual/multicultural education
- Special education
- And more!
Again, program lengths and requirements vary by school, so be sure to check with your desired program to ensure your educational goals are met.
Graduate Certificate in Education – Among the education graduate programs worth considering is the graduate or post-baccalaureate certificate in education. You may be able to pursue programs that focus on a subject of interest (see below!), that could potentially help you address your professional challenges. In addition, alternative certification programs may help those with a background in an area other than teaching to pursue a possible career transition; candidates may study teaching methods, child development, and more. i Here are a few subjects in which you might be able to pursue a graduate teaching certificate program:
- Applied behavior analysis
- Gifted education
- Special education
- Educational leadership
- Education of students with autism
- Educational policy
- And more!
Browse the listings below or inquire with your preferred schools to learn more about possible programs that may fill your needs.
Popular Schools with K-12 Education Degrees in Illinois
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Next, Choose Your K-12 Education Graduate Program Format
Today, grad students may have other potential options besides traditional classroom learning. Below, learn more about possible formats for education graduate programs!
Online education graduate programs – From online doctoral programs in education to online graduate courses for teachers (like a graduate certificate program!) you just might encounter a wide range of potential online programs. Online education graduate programs may use interactive and multimedia tools like Blackboard to deliver lessons. Therefore, you could potentially pursue an online masters in education, a doctorate, or a certificate program from anywhere with an internet connection! It makes sense that this learning style may appeal to busy working teachers, parents, or those who live far from a college or university that may offer education graduate programs.
Did you know? In 2016, about a quarter of grad students under 24 chose online learning as their preferred format! *
Campus education graduate programs – Though campus learning is not the only way to attend grad school, it may be an awesome choice! Studying on campus could be perfect for those who prefer to learn face-to-face, or for students who hope to get involved in student organizations, activities, and more. Plus, you can observe expert teachers in action! Are you a busy teacher, full-time employee, or parent with a hectic lifestyle? You may be able to find education grad schools that offer evening or weekend courses.
Hybrid education graduate programs – Hybrid programs may fall somewhere in between campus programs and online education graduate programs. So, you could potentially take some courses online, and others in person! If you’re unsure which program format best suits your learning style, maybe hybrid learning is worth considering by studnets to earn their degree.
How Do I Find Great Education Grad Schools & K-12 Education Graduate Programs
Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer – or single “best” program. However, it may be a good idea to keep a few criteria in mind when exploring education graduate programs that may be a perfect fit. Some criteria may include school accreditation, program reputation, location & campus, academics, flexibility for working students, and more.[iv]
Sources: * Clinefelter, D. L. & Aslanian, C. B., (2016). Online college students 2016: Comprehensive data on demands and preferences. Louisville, KY: The Learning House, Inc. [i] bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm#tab-4 | [ii] onetonline.org/link/summary/11-9032.00 | [iii] onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1081.00 | [iv] studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools/consider
Top 28 Graduate Schools with K-12 Education Graduate Programs in Illinois
