Bachelor's, master’s, doctorate, or certificate in education--NIU offers more than thirty high-quality, accredited programs at convenient locations throughout northern Illinois. Whether you wish to complete a degree program or take a single course for professional development, NIU is committed to helping educators and professionals, like you, advance or get started in a new career.
Northern Illinois University’s programs are offered via cohort groups (C) and rotation programs (R). Select a program category below to learn more about NIU’s graduate-level education programs, locations, and course formats.
| Programs to prepare professionals for leadership and management roles in higher education and human resources. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| Certificate in Adult Continuing Education | R | R | Chicago: R; Online: R; | |
| Certificate in College Teaching | R | R | Chicago: R; Online: R; | |
| Certificate in Higher Education | R | R | Chicago: R; Online: R; | |
| Certificate in Workplace Learning and Performance | R | R | Chicago: R; Online: R; | |
| MS Ed in Adult and Higher Education | R | R | Chicago: R; Online: R; | |
| Program to prepare educators and librarians to select and use high quality children's and young adult literature across the genres and across the curriculum. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| Graduate Certificate in Children's and Young Adult's Literature/Media | Joliet Professional Development Alliance: C-Spring 2012 | |||
| Programs to help educators enhance their teaching skills by improving classroom instruction and becoming educational leaders. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| MS Ed in Curriculum and Instruction | R | R | ||
| Programs that prepare superior teachers, administrators, service personnel, and scholars of education for teaching at the college level, being active producers and consumers of research, knowledgeable practitioners, scholars, and leaders in specific fields. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| EdD in Curriculum and Instruction Specializing in Literacy Education ELL Focus | R | R | ||
| EdD in Curriculum and Instruction Specializing in Literacy Education Reading Focus | R | R | ||
| EdD in Curriculum and Instruction in Science, Social Studies and Environmental Education Integration | R | |||
| EdD in Educational Administration | Joliet Professional Development Alliance: C-Sprng 2012 | |||
| Program to help educators work with children ages birth to grade 3. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| BS in Early Childhood Studies | University Center of Lake County: C-Spring 2013 | |||
| Programs to prepare professionals in research techniques used in schools, businesses, and government. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| Certificate in Advanced Quantitative Methodology in Education | R | R | ||
| Certificate in Advanced Qualitative Methodology in Education | Two Courses off campus (ETR 525 Naperville; ETR 739/745 Chicago) | |||
| Programs to prepare educators to become English as a Second Language and bilingual teachers. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| Graduate Certificate in Teaching ESL/Bilingual Education | R | Waubonsee CC: R | ||
| MS Ed in Literacy Education with ESL/Bilingual Focus | R | Waubonsee CC: R | ||
| Teaching Approval or Endorsement in ESL | R | Waubonsee CC: R | ||
| Teaching Approval or Endorsement in Bilingual Education | R | Waubonsee CC: R | ||
| Programs that prepare professionals for becoming employed as instructional technologists and instructional designers in schools and business training departments. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| Certification Type 10 and Endorsement for Technology Specialist | Online: R | |||
| Certficate in Workplace Learning and Performance | Online: R | |||
| MS Ed in Instructional Technology | Online: C-Fall 2012 | |||
| Library Information Specialist Certification | Online: R | |||
| Programs to prepare professionals for teaching physical education in schools or entering careers in preventative and rehabilitative exercise, athletic training and sport management. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| Certificate in Adapted Physical Education | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| MS Ed in Kinesiology and Physical Education | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| MS in Sport Management | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| BS Ed in PE Initial Certification in Physical Education (K-12) | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| BS in Kinesiology | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| BS in Athletic Training | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| Programs to prepare educators to become literacy coaches and reading teachers. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| Reading Teacher Endorsement | C-Spring 2012 | C-Spring 2014 | University Center of Lake County: C-Fall 2013 | |
| Type 10 Reading Specialist Certification | C-Spring 2012 | C-Spring 2014 | University Center of Lake County: C-Fall 2013 | |
| MS Ed in Literacy Education with Reading Focus | C-Spring 2012 | C-Spring 2014 | University Center of Lake County: C-Fall 2013 | |
| Programs to help educators enhance their skills in teaching students with disabilities. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Approval | Waubonsee CC: R | |||
| MS Ed in Special Education- LBS I (Initial Certification) | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| LBS II - Certificate in Assistive Technology Specialist | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| LBS II - Certificate in Behavior Specialist | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| LBS II - Certificate in Curriculum Adaptations Specialist | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| LBS II - Certificate in Multiple Disabilities Specialist | R | R | Waubonsee CC: R | |
| Certificate in Director of Special Education | R | |||
| Program to help current and future educators develop and enhance their classroom teaching skills at the elementary and middle school levels. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| MS Ed in Elementary Education | R | R | ||
| Programs to prepare professionals for leadership roles in educational organizations. | ||||
| NIU Hoffman Estates | NIU Naperville | NIU Rockford | Other Locations | |
| MS Ed in Educational Administration | C-Fall 2012 | C-Spring 2012 | C-Spring 2012 | Joliet Profeesional Development Alliance: C-Spring 2012 |
| MS Ed in School Business Management | Online: C- Summer 2012 | |||
Cohorts: When you enroll in a cohort, you are teamed with a group of adult learners like yourself. The people in your cohort will begin the program, continue through a set map of courses, and complete the program together. Cohort programs provide greater structure and give you the opportunity to network with peers who have varying perspectives on education.
Rotations: You can enroll in a rotation program at any time to earn credits toward a program or achieve a credential. Rotation programs provide greater flexibility and allow you to take individual classes as they fit with your work and life.
In response to special requests from agencies, school districts, or groups of interested teachers or administrators, the College of Education can also develop degree programs for a specific audience. Contact the Office of External Programs for more information.