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Most Popular Special Education Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois

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2023 Most Popular Special Education Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois

6 Colleges
$49,862 Avg Salary
$22,246 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Special Education Graduate Certificate School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, special education was ranked 4th in Illinois. In fact, 1,153 were awarded in the state in 2020-2021.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which teaching program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The Most Popular Special Education Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking is one of many tools that Teaching Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 6 schools in Illinois to see which graduate certificate programs were the most popular for teaching students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Special Education program at each school on the list.

Check out the special ed graduate certificate programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in Illinois.

Our analysis found Illinois State University to be the most popular school for special education students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in Illinois. Located in the midsize suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 89% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 11% are male.

Full Special Education at Illinois State University Report

#2

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL

The in-demand graduate certificate programs at Olivet Nazarene University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular special education schools in Illinois. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small suburb of Bourbonnais.

About 72% of the students majoring in special ed at the school are women while 28% are male.

Read full report on Special Education at Olivet Nazarene University

The in-demand graduate certificate programs at Loyola University Chicago helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular special education schools in Illinois. Loyola Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

Women make up 60% of the special ed majors at the school.

Full Special Education at Loyola University Chicago Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Special Education Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large suburb of Edwardsville, SIUE is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Full Special Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Report

#4

Governors State University

University Park, IL

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Governors State University is a great place for special education students working on their graduate certificate. GSU is a small public school located in the rural area of University Park.

Full Special Education at Governors State University Report

#4

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Elmhurst University is a great place for special education students working on their graduate certificate. Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Elmhurst.

Read full report on Special Education at Elmhurst University

Best Special Education Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Most Popular Special Education Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Ohio 1,329
Indiana 2,282
Michigan 607
Wisconsin 598

One of 14 majors within the teaching area of study, special education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Special Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Special Education 24,497
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 3,111
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 1,789
Elementary Special Education 1,625
Other Special Education & Teaching 1,227
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 1,133
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs 655
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 540
Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented 504
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments 415
Education of the Deaf 363
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances 226
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed 222
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs 181
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness 134
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities 122
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic & Other Physical Health Impairments 47
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries 1

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 110,226
Educational Administration 46,469
Teacher Education Subject Specific 43,297
General Education 29,810
Curriculum & Instruction 19,832

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 6 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to woodleywonderworks.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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