Prepare to Lead and Advocate for Change

We are the University of Illinois System’s capital city connection for studying public affairs, education, and communication.

Whether you're interested in politics, public policy and administration, teaching, educational administration, or interpersonal and mass-mediated communication—we want to help you to take the next step in your educational journey.

Our world-class programs emphasize interdisciplinary, experiential learning and prepare students for leadership roles and careers in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors or to seek further education.

Schools and Departments

Whether on-campus, online, or a blend of the two, our undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificates, and minors will connect you with opportunities unique to living and learning in a capital city. Whatever program you choose, you'll gain the knowledge, experience, and skills to build a meaningful career—and to transform lives and make a difference locally and globally.

 
College of Public Affairs and Education

School of Education

Choose your path and become a professional educator (teacher licensure in elementary and secondary education), complete a certificate, add an endorsement, or obtain a Masters degree in Education or Educational Leadership.

 
College of Public Affairs and Education

School of Communication and Media

From the perspectives of interpersonal and mass-mediated communication, we offer undergraduate opportunities and graduate degrees in Communication Studies and Public Affairs Reporting.

 
College of Public Affairs and Education

School of Politics and International Affairs

Graduate and undergraduate degrees to develop the knowledge, skills, and practical experience you need to succeed in international affairs, practical politics, or academia.

 
College of Public Affairs and Education

School of Public Management and Policy

Undergraduate, Master's, and Doctoral-level training for leadership and research roles in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Home of the highly-ranked Master of Public Administration (MPA) program.

 
College of Public Affairs and Education

Department of Legal Studies

Graduate and undergraduate offerings providing an interdisciplinary approach to the study of law, the legal system, and the role law plays in society.

Why Choose CPAE?

University of Illinois System Logo
A University of Illinois Degree

We are proud to be the world-class University of Illinois System's capital city connection. Your CPAE degree will be among the most prestigious in the nation!

Capital City Connections

We bring the Illinois Capital City to You! Whether on campus or online, you will have exclusive access to internship and experiential learning opportunities that put you at the heart of the action.

Alumni Network

With a network that extends across the globe, CPAE alumni work in research, government, schools and school systems, business, international relations, NGOs and non-profits. They mentor students, give guest lectures, offer valuable internship opportunities and provide critical financial support.

Why the UIS College of Public Affairs and Education is for you!

Embrace the future with confidence!

Alumni


News
May 19, 2023
2023 Commencement UIS celebrated its latest Commencement exercise on Saturday, May 13, 2023. It officially culminated our 2022-2023 academic year. If…
May 10, 2023
Dear Teachers, Alumni and Students: On behalf of the College of Public Affairs and Education let me extend a most sincere “thank you…
Apr 25, 2023
The University of Illinois Springfield’s public affairs graduate degrees have been ranked among the top 25 percent of best programs in the country in 2023-…
Dec 13, 2022
The Fall 2022 edition of The CPAE Journal has now been released. In this newsletter you will read about: The leadership of the newly…
Feb 28, 2024
The University of Illinois Springfield School of Education has been awarded a $145,000 grant from Grow Your Own Teachers (GYO) to develop a consortium aimed…

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