Build a rewarding career making a difference in children’s lives.
Our flexible program has options to meet your teaching interests and goals. You can choose a specialization in elementary education, early childhood education or middle level education, all of which include initial educator licensure. If you also want to earn your ESL/bilingual endorsement, you can accomplish that with only two additional semesters of study.
46 credit hours
Online
Full or part time
Start in the fall semester
Perfect for working adults, this online specialization builds on your bachelor’s degree in any area to prepare you to teach first through sixth grades in Illinois public schools. Your coursework and engaged learning experiences will prepare you to meet the demands of the complex learning environment of the elementary classroom.
51 credit hours
Hybrid
Full or part time
Start in the fall semester
This hybrid specialization, available in fall 2025, is an ideal path to increased expertise and career options for preschool and elementary school (K-2) teachers, child care administrators, family services workers, parent-educators, family child care providers, intervention specialists and other professionals.
41 credit hours
Hybrid
Full or part time
Start in the fall semester
The Master of Arts in Teaching specialization in middle level education with initial licensure prepares students to become teachers in middle schools. They will complete all requirements for a Professional Educator License to teach grades fifth through eighth. The only Middle Grades Content Endorsement offered in fall 2025 is English Language Arts.
I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to find community at NIU and how connected I felt across campus. Overwhelmingly, staff and faculty are always ready to help you and have numerous resources up their sleeves.
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You’ll apply through the Graduate School.
You can apply to the NIU Graduate School as a degree-seeking student or as a student at large, which allows you to take a course while waiting for official admission to the program. Your complete application packet will require:
Our competitive tuition and fees helps ensure an excellent return on the investment of your time and resources. Learn about additional funding opportunities for graduate students.
Many NIU graduate students have an assistantship, which provides financial support (typically a tuition waiver and stipend), as well as career preparation.
All specializations will build your expertise in the historical foundations of education, assessment and data-driven decision making, methods of instruction and curricular development, exceptionality and difference, and human growth and development.
Our faculty bring diverse experiences, backgrounds, scholarship and expertise in teaching. They’re committed to facilitating engaging learning experiences in and outside the classroom.