Online Degrees, Certificates, and Courses

News

College of Education's new certificate program aims to bring cancer care to underrepresented communities. | 4.24.2023
The College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Cancer Center at Illinois are collaborating to offer a graduate-level, online Campus Graduate Certificate (CERT) program.

The Cancer Education and Management in Underrepresented & Diverse Communities CERT program will be offered starting in Fall 2023.

The new CERT program will train people who aspire to be cancer researchers, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders in developing and implementing cancer management solutions and interventions for underrepresented communities.

It will also prepare participants to design and conduct studies to measure the change in respond to cancer management interventions in underrepresented communities.

Upon completing the CEMUDC CERT, recipients will be able to:
- Engage with underrepresented communities (URC) to promote innovative cancer management interventions (ICMI).
- Assess the needs of URC for ICMI.
- Design solutions to implement ICMI into URC with sustainable efficacies.
- Manage the implementation of ICMI for translational impact.
- Evaluate the outcomes of ICMI for continuous improvement in evidence-based practices.
Check out the news article about the program, published by the College of Education, for an interview with Wenhao David Huang, professor and associate professor of the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership (EPOL), and Margaret Browne Huntt, assistant director for the strategic research initiatives and chief diversity officer for the Cancer Center at Illinois, about importance and potential impact of the program.

Want more information? Be sure to register for a virtual information session on the CEMUDC CERT: Tuesday, May 9, from 5—6 pm CT. (Registration is required.)

During the info session, program faculty and staff will cover program eligibility, structure, admissions, and career paths.

Learn more about the Cancer Education and Management in Underrepresented & Diverse Communities CERT Program or the College of Education’ other CERT programs.

Don’t forget to register for the virtual information session on the CEMUDC CERT, scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, from 5—6 pm CT, on Zoom.

Learn more about Illinois Online’s graduate certificate programs.
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Earn your Instructional Design MasterTrack® Certificate in an accelerated program this summer! | 3.15.2023
Applications for Summer Term B are open!

Would you like to learn to create and deliver educational and instructional materials to all types of learners across multiple platforms in virtually any setting?

You can do that in just three months – and earn a highly sought after credential from a top-ranked online Master’s in Education program at a world class university – with the highly sought-after Instructional Design MasterTrack^® online certificate program.

The College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is offering this fully online two-course graduate certificate program in an accelerated summer format.

Instructional Design MasterTrack^® Certificate program

The program is designed for professionals who are engaged in instructional design and those aspiring to enter the field of instructional design.

Students will learn to:
- Solve real-world learning and performance challenges in various work settings.
- Master key concepts in instructional and training system design and learning technologies.
- Learn to integrate technology in today’s learning environments.
Another great feature: Students who complete the Instructional Design MasterTrack^® program can apply the course credits earned towards a Master of Education (EdM) or Doctor of Education (EdD) program in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (EPOL) in the College of Education, upon admission to one of those programs.

The courses

Students will take the following two courses in an accelerated format that allows them to earn a graduate certificate in just three (3) months:
- EPOL 472: Instructional and Training System Design (May 15-July 7; live session: Thursdays)
- EPOL 483: Learning Technologies (June 12-Aug. 4; live session: Wednesdays)
Each course runs for eight (8) weeks, with four (4) weeks of overlap between the two courses. You can view course details and the course schedule on our program page.

Important dates

Applications for Summer Term B are open!

APPLY HERE by:
- May 1 for EPOL 472 - APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED
- May 30 for the EPOL 483 - Applications are still open!
Sign up to receive more regular updates about course offerings.

Learn More

Join a network of peers from around the globe who are shaping the future of education! Read about the student experiences of our online students who are some of the most passionate, inventive, and committed graduates the College of Education has nurtured.

Learn more about the College of Education's Online Programs, which, in 2023, was ranked the #3 Best Online Master’s in Education Programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, for the third year in a row.

For questions or to speak to a member of the Education at Illinois Online Programs Team email us at onlineprograms@education.illinois.edu.
Launch your instructional design career with an Instructional Design MasterTrack^® Certificate and be the difference in education!
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Story features School of Social Work’s innovative iBSW and iMSW programs | 2.9.2023

The School of Social Work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is helping to increase access to social work careers—and in turn, meet the demand for these highly-sought after professionals—with two innovative programs.

The iBSW and iMSW programs were recently featured in an Illinois News Bureau article. “U of I online social work degree programs address diversity needs.”

The article highlights a study, “Reimagining social work education: A systems-thinking approach to a BSW/MSW program for community college students” (Journal of Social Work Education), which examined the need for removing barriers to transfer students’ experience, particularly students from underrepresented populations, and how the school developed the Bachelor of Social Work degree-completion program to remove some of those barriers.

“We’ve seen an increase in need for social workers, and we’ve seen in Illinois that there’s been a call for an increase in behavioral health workers,” said Carol Wilson-Smith, the director of the BSW program and a clinical professor in the School of Social Work.

“There just aren’t enough to meet the need. This is another way to reach some of the communities and prospective students that we might not be able to reach otherwise, and in turn, increase access to social work services. The other opportunity it presents is diversifying our profession and the number of social work professionals in the community to serve the diverse needs of the state.” (News Bureau)

The undergraduate iBSW degree-completion program was designed to give community college graduates and transfer students with junior standing a comprehensive educational experience that prepares them for a career in social work, advanced standing in a graduate program in social work, or career opportunities in health care, business, education, government, public service, among other areas.

The coursework is 100 percent online. And while students are required to do in-person field work, their placement is based on their location.

The school had already created the iMSW Program. Unlike traditional on-campus programs, this fully online master’s program allows students – many of whom are working professionals or non-traditional students – to earn a Master of Social Work wherever they are and without leaving their job.

Read the full News Bureau article.

Learn more about the iBSW Program.

Learn more about the iMSW program options, including the Advanced Clinical Concentration and the Leadership and Social Change Concentration.

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Build a firm foundation for veterinary school with Veterinary Medicine’s Graduate Academic Program | 1.5.2023
Register now for intensive 12-week summer program that starts May 15

By Illinois Online

Thinking about applying to veterinary school?

Prepare for the rigorous requirements of veterinary school and earn a credential from a top-ranked public research university with the online Graduate Academic Program (GAP), offered through the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois.

The GAP Summer Session is an intensive, full-time program that runs over a 12-week period, from May 15 to Aug. 6. (A 9-month, part-time program will also be offered, starting in August.)

The program is fully online, meaning students can complete it from anywhere in the world. Courses last three weeks each and are taught both synchronously and asynchronously, and students should plan to spend 48 hours per week on coursework.

Students who complete the program will receive a transcript and Certificate of Veterinary Science from the College of Veterinary Medicine to show future employers or admission committees. Completion of the certificate can also count toward the hours needed for the 32-credit-hour Master of Veterinary Science (MVS) degree offered through the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The summer program is also timed to allow you to meet veterinary school application deadlines.

Who should enroll in the GAP Summer Session?

The intensive 12-week summer program is for students who:
- Have completed their undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and are looking to enhance their veterinary school application
- Are looking to build a strong foundation for success in veterinary school
- Are seeking to fill the gap between their undergraduate degree and veterinary school
- Are ready to deepen their confidence and competence in critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
Why earn a Certificate in Veterinary Science?

The GAP program was developed and taught by world-class veterinary professors at Illinois. It’s designed around the concepts of student success, active learning in community, career and professional development, leadership, and teamwork.

The specific courses focus on developing critical thinking skills, communication, and problem solving of animal health challenges. The required credit coursework involves classes in bioveterinary structure and function, clinical microbiology, infectious disease, host homeostasis, and responses to health challenges.

In addition to learning how to apply basic principles of health science to solve animal health problems, students will also strengthen their veterinary school applications and build a strong foundation for their success in veterinary school.

Only 32 highly-qualified applicants will be selected for the intensive summer program, so apply now or before the April 1 application deadline. (NOTE: You can also apply to the 9-month part-time program if that schedule is a better fit for you.)

Still wondering whether GAP is right for you?

Contact the iLearning Team at the College of Veterinary Medicine or email them at ilearningvetmed@illinois.edu to learn more about the program. They are eager to hear about you and your goals and help you find the resources to meet those goals.
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How to Handle Test Anxiety | 5.1.2023
By Will Kanter, Marketing Associate

It is final exam day, but what is this? You overslept and showed up late, you completely forgot to study, and you are still in your pajamas. If you have ever had a nightmare like this, then you are familiar with test anxiety. Odds are most of your peers have experienced it as well, each in their own way. Naturally, academic stressors like big projects and looming deadlines are a contributing factor to test anxiety, but non-academic stressors like money and work can play a role as well.

Here are some strategies to help you minimize test anxiety as you prepare for finals:
Before the Test
Set up a quiet, well-lit study environment where you can work undistracted. Consider putting your phone on silent so you are not tempted to check it.
When preparing for multiple tests, make sure you are setting aside time for each subject. Study a little at a time instead of cramming the night before the test(s).
Take stock of what you have learned in class. Which areas of the material are you comfortable with and which ones do you need to review?
Try creating a study guide based on what the test might look like. Pay close attention to names, dates, lists, and other potentially relevant information.
Take a break when you need one. Go for a walk, eat a snack, or practice deep breathing. Get a good night’s sleep before the day of the test.
During the Test
Accept that you have done what you can to prepare. Focus on what you do know instead of worrying about what you do not know. Try to arrive a little early.
If the test format allows it, consider answering the questions you feel confident about first. This might help you gain insight into the ones you are less sure of.
Make sure you do not spend too much time on any one question. If you find yourself truly stuck, it can be better to write the wrong answer than nothing at all.
Remember to take deep breaths throughout the test. If you find yourself tensing up, take a moment to relax your tension-holding muscles.
Once you have answered every question to the best of your ability, go through the test and double-check your answers if you have time. Turn in your test and be done with it.
After the Test
Take a moment to congratulate yourself on a job well done. Regardless of your final grade, taking a test that you studied hard for is something to be proud of.
Reflect on the efficiency of your study habits. What worked well for you? What might you do differently for your next test?
Give yourself a reward – watch your favorite comfort show or order food from your favorite restaurant.
Even if you did not do as well as you would have liked, remember that one test is unlikely to ruin your academic career.
Take heart in knowing you are that much better prepared for the next test.
Finals are almost here! For more test-preparation techniques, check out this post from UIUC’s Admissions Blog: Best Study Tips for College.
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Exploring More Summer Session Course Options | 4.20.2023

Impact: College of Education Certificate Program

Involvement: Summer Session

Impact: College of Veterinary Medicine Launches New Certificate

Integration: AI in Medicine Certificate Program

Inclusion

News

Applications for Summer Term B are open!

Register now for intensive 12-week summer program that starts May 15

Events

Blogs