Teaching Graduate School Programs in Illinois

Find Teacher Education Graduate Programs in Illinois

The learning process may always be ongoing. This is especially true for teachers themselves! Are you hoping to jump-start a teaching career? Or are you simply looking to improve your knowledge and skills? No matter which goal you have in mind, pursuing an advanced degree in teacher education may be the perfect next step. Teacher education courses might help you become the teacher you wish to be, earn teaching skills, study thoroughly the theory and practice of strategic teaching methods, and inspire the next generation.

Teaching Graduate Schools

You could learn to navigate the classroom setting better, delve deep into teaching a specific subject or study best school administration practices. And you can learn all these top teaching techniques through teacher education graduate programs at the certificate, master’s degree, or doctoral level. So read on for helpful hints, FAQs, and more!

Why Consider Teacher Education Graduate Programs?

These are courses of study that aim to help teachers enhance their classroom and career readiness. There could be many reasons to consider pursuing a teacher education program! For starters, taking professional development courses or even earning a master’s degree may be a necessary step for maintaining teacher certification. Licensure and certification requirements are different in every state. Be sure check with your state department of education to learn more!

Degrees in Education Teacher

Even if you are not strictly required to pursue further education, teacher education graduate programs could be a good choice to help enhance your professional knowledge, and potentially your career. Hoping to learn the ins and outs of teaching literacy, math, PE, or another subject? Want to further explore the potential of classroom technology? Looking to study the theory and practice of curriculum design? You may be able to find a teacher education program that addresses your interests.

Finally, candidates hoping to pursue a career change may wish to consider teaching courses that could help prepare them for potential new roles. Even current teachers may need additional education or certification in order to pursue career paths like instructional coordinator or principal. Depending on your professional area of interest, be it physical education or K-12 education, degrees at the graduate level may be recommended or required. For example, 90% of postsecondary education instructors (professors who teach the teachers) said they earned a doctoral degree. (O*Net)

Choosing Teacher Education Graduate Programs

If any of the above reasons resonate with you, then it may be time to delve deeper into the world of teacher education and its benefits for your teaching career. The path you pursue may depend on lots of factors like your professional interests, your career goals, and even where you live. Keep these factors in mind as you explore the programs below:

Master’s Degree For Teachers

Earning a masters in education may be required for teacher licensure or certification in some states (bls.gov). Masters of education programs could also be a great way to further develop your skills and knowledge. But what kinds of education master’s degree may be available? And, which teacher education path might be perfect for you? Let’s explore a few:

• Master of Education (M.Ed.) – This type of program may cover both the theory and practice of teaching. This program may potentially allow you to pursue an area of professional focus. An M.Ed. may be known as an applied degree, because knowledge you pursue in the program may apply to a range of potential roles.
• Master of Arts in Education (M.A.) – Pursuing a MA in education may potentially allow teachers to enhance their knowledge in a particular subject, like humanities, science, or art. Keep in mind that different teacher colleges may offer different prospective paths of teacher specialization.
• Master of Science in Education (M.S.) – A Master of Science in Education may be defined differently from school to school. (So read program listings careful and reach out to schools for details by following any link below.) This program could focus on math or science curriculum and pedagogy. A M.S. program may allow students to pursue a concentration in an area like administration of public schools or private schools.
• Master of Arts in Teaching – This type of masters in education program may potentially help you enhance your teacher training and strategies. It could be the perfect choice for someone who has a background in an area other than teaching but would like to pursue a potential career change.
• Doctor of education programs – Another potential path could be to pursue a doctoral degree, such as a PhD or Ed.D. A doctorate program with a focus on teacher education may be research intensive, with the potential goal of pursuing original scholarship in the field of education. In addition, doctoral candidates may pursue core classes in areas like educational leadership, education research, and more. A doctorate program typically requires candidates to write and defend an original dissertation. If you’re interested in potentially teaching teachers, keep in mind that postsecondary instructors frequently need to earn a doctoral degree. (O*Net)
• Graduate certificate in education – A graduate certificate program is a non-degree path that may allow you to explore a particular area of professional interest. For example, 13% of middle school special education teachers said they needed to earn a post-baccalaureate certificate for their current roles (O*Net). Other potential certificate programs may cover areas like gifted education, technology education, education leadership, and more. Certificate programs can be a great way to delve deep into a specific topic or sample graduate-level teacher education before making a larger commitment.

What master’s degree is best for teachers?

The best master’s degree for teachers will vary depending on your individual goals and interests. However, some popular choices for teacher education graduate programs include Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Education (M.Ed.) degrees. Both of these degree types may offer coursework in areas such as educational leadership, teaching methods, curriculum development, and education research.

Fun Fact: 44% of education administrators earned a post-master’s certificate. (O*Net)

Format of Teacher Education Graduate Programs

When evaluating teacher colleges and education graduate programs, you may encounter a couple of different program formats. Let’s go over their differences, as well as some potential benefits!

• Online education graduate programs – Online graduate courses for teachers may let you study from anywhere with an internet connection. You may use technology tools like online message boards or mobile devices to interact with materials, classmates, and instructors. If you think online learning sounds appealing, you’re not alone.
• Education graduate programs on campus – Prefer to learn face-to-face? Pursuing a teacher education program on campus is certainly a path worth considering! You may be able to enjoy potential benefits like the fitness center, student events and get-togethers, or cultural activities on campus. You may even find a community of supportive peers who share your passion for teaching. Potentially perfect for: Those who like to take courses in person, or who want the “traditional” grad school experience.
• Hybrid education graduate programs – Hybrid learning (sometimes known as blended learning) typically involves some combination of on-campus and online graduate courses for teachers. The ratio of online to in-person learning will depend on the program. For example, you may take most courses online but attend one or more short residencies on campus. Potentially perfect for: Students who want some face-time with teachers and peers, but still need the flexibility of pursuing some coursework from home.

Search Teacher Education Colleges & Programs in Illinois

Every prospective student may look for something a bit different in a school. However, there are a few things you should probably keep in mind! For example, you may want to choose a college or university that is accredited by an organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (studentaid.gov). You may also want to check out the curriculum offered in your prospective program. Talk to school representatives to learn more about what to expect. Of course, you’ll have to decide on a program format, as well. If selecting a campus or hybrid program, keep in mind that location may be an important consideration too!

Below, you’ll find some sponsored Degrees in Education Teacher that may interest you. You can use the menu to filter by program level and format to customize your list. Simply click the link on any listing to contact the program directly. Keeping in mind your goals and educational needs. You may find a perfect education graduate program today!

GradSchools.com offers 26 Graduate Schools with Teacher Education Graduate Programs in Illinois