Online College Courses in Illinois (IL)

Illinois offers a mixture of big city life and suburbia because of the presence of Chicago, one of the nation's largest cities, and a downstate region rich in agriculture, mid-size cities, and Midwestern small town charm. While many of the state's colleges and universities are concentrated in the massive Chicago metro area, schools of higher learning are spread throughout the state to serve the entire population. Illinois is home to a number of nationally-known, highly-ranked research universities, including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Loyola University Chicago. Public institutions are governed by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and include the 48 colleges in the Illinois Community College System. Online college courses in Illinois, as well as complete online degree programs, are available through public and private institutions, including nonprofit and for-profit private institutions.

Chicago. Chicago is by far the largest city in Illinois, and with nearly 2.7 million people, the Windy City is also the third-largest city in the U.S. It is a center of culture, entertainment, tourism, and commerce for both the state and the nation, and is also a major global financial center. Online college courses in Chicago are available through a variety of diverse colleges and universities, including highly-ranked universities, religious institutions, career schools, proprietary schools, and community colleges.

• Adler School of Professional Psychology. The Adler School of Professional Psychology is a private, not-for-profit graduate school of psychology offering master's and professional degrees, as well as post-master's certificates. The school's doctoral program in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association, and the institution itself is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The school is poised to offer two key online programs starting in 2012.
• American College of Education. American College of Education is a private, for-profit institution offering master's degrees in education. Programs include specializations in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, and educational technology. The asynchronous, Web-based learning platform allows teachers the flexibility to learn from home at a time of day that works best for them.
• Argosy University – Chicago. Argosy University-Chicago is a private, for-profit institution offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as professional degrees and post-master's certificates. The Chicago campus is in the heart of the city on Michigan Avenue, not far from Millennium Park. The university offers programs in psychology, education, business, health sciences, and criminal justice, offering evening, weekend, and online courses.
• Catholic Theological Union at Chicago. Catholic Theological Union is a private, not-for-profit graduate school of theology that prepares people for leadership and ministry in the Roman Catholic church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and professional ministerial master's degrees. The school also offers some distance education options, including online and blended courses.
• Chicago State University. Chicago State University started as a teacher's college at its founding in 1867, but has evolved over many years into a comprehensive public university. Through its five colleges, CSU offers 36 undergraduate and 25 graduate and professional degree programs. The university offers a number of distance education courses through CSU Online and recently changed its online course management system from Blackboard to Moodle.
• City Colleges of Chicago . City Colleges of Chicago are seven community colleges in the Chicago area that each hold their own independent accreditation and offer certificates and associate degrees. They include the Harold Washington College, the Harry S. Truman College, the Kennedy-King College, the Malcolm X College, the Olive-Harvey College, the Richard J. Daley College, and the Wilbur Wright College. City Colleges of Chicago offer more than 125 courses online through the Center for Distance Learning.
• Columbia College – Chicago. Columbia College-Chicago is a private, not-for-profit school of arts and media offering certificates, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees. With more than 120 available programs serving about 11,400 students, Columbia College-Chicago is among the largest art colleges in the nation. Programs include: art and design, dance, music, photography, radio, television, journalism, and many others.
• DePaul University. DePaul University is a private, not-for-profit university and the largest Catholic university in the nation. With a population of more than 25,000 students, DePaul is also the largest private university in Chicago. The university offers more than 275 undergraduate and graduate programs, including both research doctorates and professional doctorates. Online learning at DePaul includes both online undergraduate and graduate programs.
• DeVry University – Illinois. DeVry University-Illinois is a private, for-profit institution offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Students can take courses at DeVry's Chicago campus, online, or a combination of both. Programs are available through the university's five colleges—the College of Business and Management, the College of Engineering and Information Sciences, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the College of Media Arts and Technology.
• Ellis University. Ellis University is a private, not-for-profit university offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degree, as well as certificates. This regionally and nationally accredited university was founded in 2008 and is geared toward working adults. Ellis University offers a full complement of flexible online programs, including paralegal studies, accounting, and criminal justice.
• Erikson Institute. Erikson Institute is a private, not-for-profit graduate school focusing exclusively on early childhood development. The institute offers post-baccalaureate certificates and master's degrees, also offering a Ph.D. in childhood development in conjunction with Loyola University. Distance learning at Erikson Institute includes an online MS in early childhood education, an online bilingual/ESL certificate program, and online infant specialist certificate courses.
• Illinois Institute of Technology. Illinois Tech is a private, not-for-profit, technological university offering bachelor's and graduate degrees, including research and professional doctorates. IIT has eight colleges and schools, including the Armour College of Engineering, the College of Architecture, and the School of Design. IIT was a pioneer of distance learning and now offers online courses through IIT Online using the Blackboard learning management system.
• Institute for Clinical Social Work. The Institute for Clinical Social Work is a private, not-for-profit graduate institution offering research doctorates and post-master's certificates. Programs include the Ph.D. in clinical social work with specializations in psychodynamic psychotherapy, children and adolescents, and military and veterans social work. The institute also offers a Ph.D. through distance learning.
• International Academy of Design and Technology – Chicago. The International Academy of Design and Technology – Chicago is a private, for-profit media arts college offering associate and bachelor's degrees. The Chicago campus offers programs in computer forensics, fashion design, game design and production, information technology, and more. IADT is known for offering online, campus-based, and blended learning.
• Kendall College. Kendall College is a private, for-profit college offering associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and certificates. Programs are offered through the college's School of Culinary Arts, School of Hospitality Management, School of Business, and School of Education. Kendall College offers evening, weekend, and online/classroom blended programs to meet the needs of working adults.
• Loyola University – Chicago. Loyola is a private research university in the Catholic Jesuit tradition. The university offers bachelor's and graduate degrees, including both research and professional doctorates in areas such as law and medicine, and has an enrollment of more than 16,000 students. Loyola offers online learning either fully online or blended with on-campus courses.
• Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is a private, not-for-profit seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offering graduate degrees and certificates. Programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Ministry, and Doctor of Ministry, among others. The school offers online learning for lifelong learners.
• Meadville Lombard Theological School. MLTS is a private, not-for-profit graduate seminary in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. Programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts (Religion), Doctor of Ministry, and Master of Arts in Leadership Studies. The school holds both regional and national accreditation.
• Moody Bible Institute. Moody Bible Institute is a private, not-for-profit institution offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees with a mission of preparing students for Christian ministry. Undergraduate studies include biblical studies, educational ministries, pastoral studies, and theology, while graduate degrees include the Master of Divinity, the Master of Theological Studies, and the Master of Arts in areas such as intercultural and urban studies, Christian education, and counseling psychology. Moody also offers a number of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education options through distance learning.
• National Louis University. National Louis University is a private, not-for-profit institution offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Undergraduate programs are available in business and management, education, healthcare leadership, applied behavioral sciences, human services, and liberal arts. The university also offers individual courses online.
• North Park University. North Park University is a private, Christian liberal arts university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctor's degrees. The university enrolls 3,200 students and offers a variety of programs through its School of Nursing, School of Business and Nonprofit Management, School of Education, School of Music, seminary, and School of Adult Learning. Undergraduate studies include more than 50 majors, and distance learning programs are also available through NPU Online.
• Northeastern Illinois University. Northeastern Illinois University started in 1867 as a teacher's college and has evolved over the years into a public university offering bachelor's and master's degrees. The university offers more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs/majors in the arts and sciences, business, education, and more. Distance education at NIU includes courses via video conferencing and a growing number of online and hybrid classes.
• Northwestern College. Northwestern College is a private, for-profit institution offering certificates and associate degrees. The college prides itself on being career-focused and student-focused, offering three campuses in the Greater Chicago area to better serve students. Programs include healthcare, legal, business, and nursing.
• Roosevelt University. Roosevelt University is a private, not-for-profit university offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees, as well as certificate programs. The university offers 126 degree programs and is known for its honors program and commitment to social justice. Roosevelt University offers complete degree programs online through RUOnline.
• Rush University. Rush University is a private, not-for-profit university offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees, as well as post-master's certificates. The university's affiliation with Rush University Medical Center gives it a unique health science focus. Rush University offers more than 30 degree or certificate options in medicine, nursing, allied health areas, and biomedical research.
• Spertus College. Spertus College is a private, not-for-profit graduate school for Jewish learning and culture offering master's and doctoral degrees. Programs are available in Jewish studies, Jewish professional studies, and nonprofit management. The college is known for its international faculty, as well as for catering to working adults by offering courses on-campus, off-campus, and online.
• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago is a private, not-for-profit graduate school of psychology offering master's, doctoral, and professional degrees. The school offers more than 20 degree programs, including a Psy.D. in Business Psychology and a Ph.D. in International Psychology. The school offers online and blended programs, some of which include a "synchronous virtual residency."
• The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago. The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago is a private, for-profit college offering certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees pertaining to fine arts, media, and applied arts. Programs include digital filmmaking and video production, interior design, advertising, culinary management, and audio production. The institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
• University of Illinois at Chicago. The University of Illinois at Chicago is a comprehensive public research university offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees, as well as post-baccalaureate and post-master's certificates. With more than 25,000 students, UIC is the largest university in the Chicago area, and the university also boasts the largest medical school in the U.S. Distance education is available through UIC Online.
• VanderCook College of Music. VanderCook College of Music is a private, not-for-profit institution offering bachelor's and master's degrees in music education. Programs focus on teaching students how to play and teach 17 different musical instruments, as well as conduct and arrange music. Graduate programs allow students to specialize in an area and require the completion of a master's project and passing a comprehensive exam.
• Westwood College – Chicago Loop and O'Hare Airport. Westwood College is a private, for-profit institution offering associate and bachelor's degrees through its Chicago Loop and O'Hare Airport campuses in the Chicago area. Programs are available in design, business, technology, and criminal justice. Aside from on-campus courses, Westwood also offers online courses for added flexibility.

Springfield. While Springfield isn't nearly as large as Chicago, it is the capital of Illinois and known for once being the home of President Abraham Lincoln, as well as the current home of the Illinois State Fair. Major industries here include government, healthcare, and education with major employers including the State of Illinois, Memorial Health System, St. John's Hospital, and the Springfield School District.

• Lincoln Land Community College. Lincoln Land Community College is a public community college offering certificates and associate degrees. The college's mission includes increasing access to high-quality, cost-effective higher education. LLCC caters to working students by offering day, evening, and weekend courses, as well as online courses through Illinois Virtual Campus.
• Springfield College in Illinois. Springfield College in Illinois (which has transitioned to Benedictine University at Springfield) is a private, not-for-profit institution that has traditionally offered associate degrees. It is the oldest college in Springfield and focuses on the liberal arts.
• University of Illinois at Springfield. The University of Illinois at Springfield is public university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university enrolls just less than 5,000 students, and is known for its small class sizes. The Springfield campus offers a wide variety of online programs, include undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs.

Normal. Normal, named after the teacher's college, or "normal" school, that has since evolved into Illinois State University, has long been a college town. Today, it is home to three colleges, as well as three trade schools.

• Heartland Community College. Heartland Community College is a relatively new public community college, beginning operations in 1990. The college offers certificates and associate degrees, has open admissions, and focuses on career training and preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. HCC's programs include nursing and nurse assisting, radiography, EMS, and child development, among others.
• Illinois State University. Illinois State University is a comprehensive public research university offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees, as well as certificate programs. Enrollment of on-campus students is more than 21,000, and ISU has significantly high graduation and retention rates. The university offers a limited number of online courses to serve its student population.