Continuing education
A full-range of post-baccalaureate work is offered at Illinois State, including both master's and doctoral degrees. Some programs are also offered off-campus in the Quad Cities, Springfield, Joliet/Channahon, and Chicago. To find out if your desired program is offered in an off-campus setting, please contact an advisor in the respective teacher education program.
What type of postgraduate study are you interested in?
Additional education in your current teaching field
ISU offers additional education in the field defined by your initial certificate through either undergraduate or graduate courses. For career development, a master's degree is preferred and will allow concentration in either:
- a content field such as English, music, or psychology
- educational topics such as assessment, curriculum, instruction, reading, or technology
Students interested in preparing for teaching careers in colleges and universities should consult academic advisors in the discipline they plan to teach for information concerning appropriate graduate degree preparation. For specific information, contact an advisor in the respective teacher education program.
Education in a new teaching field
If you decide to teach in a field other than the one defined by your initial certification, there are two options:
- course credit that leads to an additional endorsement on the certificate you hold (e.g., a mathematics teacher who also wants to teach science)
- course credit that leads to a new certificate (e.g., an elementary teacher who wants to teach high school)
The course work may be at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. For specific information, contact an advisor in the respective teacher education program.
Urban teacher preparation
The College of Education offers coursework to prepare you to work with urban populations by selecting courses specifically designed for the urban education professional. While not a certification area, it is an elective option available to students in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Level, Secondary, and Special Education programs. Learn more about the ISU Urban Education Teaching Initiative.
Leadership roles in education
ISU offers a masters degree that results in certification for entry-level educational leadership positions through acquired skills, knowledge, values, and commitment necessary to succeed. Through completion of the master's or doctoral degrees, graduates work in PreK-12 schools, higher education, research laboratories, think tanks, government agencies, and professional associations. Many hold positions of prominence such as principals, superintendents, community college presidents, university presidents, and executive directors of statewide organizations.
Ready to apply to graduate school?
Get admission information, including application deadlines as well as the the admission review and selection process.
Interested in other continuing education opportunities?
National Board Certification
National Board Resource Center at Illinois State University advances teacher quality and student learning through National Board Certification.
Certified Professional Development Units (CPDU)
The ISU Conference Services is an approved provider of Certified Professional Development Units (CPDU) for Illinois K-12 teachers. Illinois State Conference Services coordinates, awards, and maintains institutional records of CPDUs, as well as works with providers to ensure that all state requirements are met. For more information about upcoming workshops, please call (309) 438-2160 or email Illinois State Conference Services.