Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston and offers a secondary school teaching program. Students have the option to specialize in a variety of areas, including art, mathematics, foreign languages, physical education, sciences and music. In addition to academic coursework, students also need to complete a practicum at a high school within a 50-mile radius. The academic coursework combines general education requirements with classes in the subject area a student plans to teach.
Located in Macomb, Western Illinois University offers a master of science degree in education with a major in elementary education. The curriculum includes courses in parent/community involvement, assessment and differentiation of instruction and special problems in elementary, middle and junior high education. Students also must complete a graduate seminar in elementary curriculum, field study project and independent study course. Specializations are also available in language and literature, science, early childhood education, mathematics, social studies and multidisciplinary studies.
The University of Illinois at Chicago offers a master's degree in early childhood education. The program prepares students to work in early childhood education and early childhood special education settings. Students in the master's degree program take courses in development in infancy and early childhood, history and philosophy of early childhood education, reading and writing with young children, curriculum and practice in early childhood education and forging collaboration with family and staff.
Located in Normal, Illinois State University offers a master's degree in special education. Core courses in the program include teaching diverse learners, contemporary issues and trends in special education, research methodology and statistics in education and applied behavior analysis. Students have the option of pursuing a research project or seeking the National Board Professional Teaching Certification in the area of exceptional needs. Financial assistance in the program is available through special education scholarships, graduate assistantships, loans, grants and tuition waivers.