About Our Advanced Professional Programs
The National College of Education (NCE) provides educators with advanced credentials and graduate-level expertise across a broad range of in-demand specializations and high-needs areas. Supporting educators across their career span with certificate, endorsement, and degree opportunities, our programs equip teachers with the deep content knowledge and instructional practices they need to accomplish their career advancement goals.
Pursue M.Ed. or Ed.S. degrees in Curriculum and Instruction, Learning Sciences Education, Reading and other fields, and earn endorsements and advanced credentials in areas such as ESL/bilingual education, special education, technology specialist and other areas. We also offer the Ed.S. in school psychology and the Ed.D. in Teaching and Learning. With numerous endorsements and degree pathways to choose from--most offered fully online--you’ll be able to customize your degree to fit your career goals and your busy schedule.
We Know Education
For more than 130 years, National Louis University has been preparing teachers and leaders for Chicagoland and the nation. Our advanced graduate programs continue that tradition of teaching excellence and innovation.
Over 80 NCE graduates have won the Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award, more than any other institution in Illinois.
We offer 12 fully online degree, endorsement and certificate programs.
We're ranked the No. 2 Best Institution for Non-Traditional Students in Illinois (No. 26 in the U.S.).
Why NCE's APP Programs?
In Demand Content Areas
Reflective of the needs of today’s educational institutions, our degree, endorsement, and approval offerings provide advanced credentials in critical high-need and in-demand areas including ESL/Bilingual Education, Special Education, Reading and Literacy, and Technology. New in fall 2020, we’ve added an E-Learning certificate and a Coaching and Mentoring certificate to support teachers navigating the world of remote learning and instructional leadership.
Learn from Expert Faculty
Our full time and adjunct faculty are recognized as leaders in their fields. Both scholars and practitioners, their extensive experience, scholarship and thought leadership shape our programs and instruction.
Classes at Your Convenience
Choose from fully online, campus-based, and evening class options, depending on the program. Fit your advanced credential and degree to your busy schedule.
Customized Graduate Degrees
Our Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed. and Ed.S. and Learning Sciences Education M.Ed. and Ed.S. are designed to give you options to meet your career goals. Deepen your expertise with multiple endorsements and certificate pathways, many of which carry graduate credit, and combine your credit to pursue an M.Ed. or Ed.S. degree.
A Commitment to Diversity
The National College of Education has a long-standing commitment to diversity and social justice through both its culturally relevant pedagogy and its initiatives with Chicago Public Schools and the diverse communities they serve. This commitment is reflected in the makeup of the NCE student body, which in 2019 was comprised of 48% minority students and 81% female students.
Theory-informed and Practice-centered
Our Advanced Professional Programs combine theory with practical field experience embedded in the coursework, making it possible to apply what you learn directly to your daily work. Our programs are designed to be flexible and responsive, meaning they are constantly updated and improved in light of new scholarship, the educational landscape, and best practice. You’ll become a member of a learning community driven to do work that makes a difference.
Doctoral Programs
NCE’s doctoral degree programs prepare scholars and leaders to advance excellence in education. Whether you aim for district-level, systems, policy, or teaching leadership, NCE’s Teaching and Learning, Educational Leadership (PK-12), or Higher Educational Leadership Ed.D will engage you in advanced scholarship, research, and specialized training within our dynamic intellectual community.
With a sharp focus on social justice, equity, and inclusion, the four majors within the Teaching and Learning doctoral program are for scholars interested in leveraging research and inquiry to transform education. Our rigorous programs prepare thoughtful and passionate educational leaders who understand education within the larger social, cultural, political, historical, and economic contexts that influence educational policies, practices, and reform in the globalized world.
Our Degree Programs, Endorsements and Certificates
Doctoral Degree Programs
- Ed.S/Ed.D. in Teaching and Learning
- Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (PK-12)
- Ed.S./Ed.D. in Higher Educational Leadership
Master’s and Educational Specialist Degree Programs
- M.Ed. or Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction (multiple pathways)
- M.Ed. or Ed.S. in Learning Sciences Education (multiple pathways)
- M.Ed. or Ed.S. in Reading
- M.Ed. in Special Education
- Ed.S. in School Psychology
Endorsements and Approvals
Click here for a list of all NCE’s endorsement opportunities.
Certificates and Micro-Credentials
Certificates and Micro-credentials are graduate credit-bearing academic programs that you can complete within a short timeframe. No matter the stage of your career, our programs offer focused coursework to enhance your skillset in a specific area. Whether you take a single course or complete the entire sequence, all of the credit you earn can be applied towards a Master’s or Education Specialist’s degree.
