Flexible Education Pathways Help Lake County Students Continue their Degrees Close to Home

University Center
May 12
2 min read

05/12/ 2026 Published by: University Center of Lake County

(Night class students pursuing their Bachelor's Degree at the University Center Campus in Grayslake)

For many students and busy working adults, continuing their education can feel overwhelming. Questions about transfer credit, program options, cost, schedule, and career changes can make it difficult to know where to begin.

That is why flexible, affordable, and high-quality education pathways are becoming increasingly important for residents in Lake County who want to complete a bachelor's degree, pursue a master's or PhD, or earn a professional certificate without traveling far from home.

The University Center of Lake County connects students with 14 accredited university partners offering bachelor’s completion, master’s, doctoral, certificate, and endorsement programs designed for busy learners. Many programs offer flexible formats, including online, hybrid, evening, and in-person options.

Programs are available in areas such as education, teaching, early childhood education, special education, counseling, leadership, healthcare, business, social work, psychology, technology, and more.

Explore List of 14 Universities

Concordia University Chicago
DePaul University
Dominican University
Governors State University
National Louis University
Northeastern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
North Park University
Lewis University
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Illinois Springfield
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

“At the heart of this work is helping students see that continuing their education is possible,” said Norma Vilchis, Academic Advisor. “Whether someone is returning to school, transferring from a community college, changing careers, or balancing work and family responsibilities, there are pathways available to help them move forward.”

Free advising is also available to help students explore program options, understand transfer pathways, connect with university representatives, and learn more about scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

Request more Information

Schedule an Appointment

Prospective students are invited to schedule a free in-person or virtual advising session to explore their next step.

To learn more about available programs or schedule an appointment, visit ucenter.org or call us at 847-665-4000.