Speak With an Enrollment Counselor (800) 280-0307
Speak With an Enrollment Counselor (800) 280-0307

Chicago Public Schools Employee Benefits

Advance your career with ACE.

Chicago Public Schools

Your Path to Educational Leadership

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has partnered with American College of Education (ACE) to provide affordable educational pathways that can support professional advancement. Whether you’re an aspiring educator or ready for school leadership, ACE offers high-quality online degrees1 for Chicago teachers at every career stage.

As part of CPS staff education benefits, eligible CPS employees can enjoy a 10% tuition reduction on any ACE program. Plus, CPS employee tuition reimbursement policies could allow you to save even more.

What to Expect at ACE

Affordable Tuition

We don’t want student debt to hold you back from moving forward. We provide a world-class education at low-cost tuition, and we list the total cost of our programs right on our website so that they’re easy to find.

  • Most master’s degrees are under $10,000.¹
  • Doctoral degrees are under $25,000.¹
  • 86% of ACE students graduate with no debt.²

Practical Coursework

Our coursework marries knowledge and theory with practical strategies you can start applying to your job or profession right away. 

  • Explore career-relevant assignments with evidence-based best practices. 
  • Learn from faculty members who work in and understand the unique needs of your field. 
  • 96% of ACE students felt prepared for their job after their program.³

Flexibility

Our fully online coursework and consistent course structure allow you to create the schedule that works for your busy life. 

  • You don’t need to log on at specific times. 
  • Learn anytime and anywhere with an internet connection. 
  • Control the pace of your program. 
  • A new term starts every six weeks, so begin whenever it’s convenient for you. 

Transfer-Friendly

We’re one of the nation’s most transfer-friendly institutions, committed to helping you keep and maximize the value of your hard-earned credits. 

  • Transfer up to 90 credits into our bachelor’s-completion programs. 
  • Many ACE credits completed in one program can be applied to other ACE programs. 

Student Testimonials

Here’s what our students had to say about their ACE experience.

Yasheka Lewis

Yasheka Lewis

B.S. in Healthcare Administration 

Master of Public Health 

“I love that I can take my class with me wherever I go and able to set my own schedule. Also, at the end of every class, we get at least a one-week break to breathe and recuperate. The program is set up for our success.” 

Kasey Harkness

Kasey Harkness

M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction 

“I resisted enrolling in a graduate program for a long time because, between my full-time job and my family, I couldn’t fathom how I would make the time for one or scrounge up the money. Then I found ACE! ACE was affordable and fully online, which meant I could do my coursework from anywhere and control the pace and timing of my week. Going through my program without having to sacrifice my family time was invaluable, and what I learned was immediately applicable in my profession.” 

Nate Failing

Nate Failing

Ed.D. in Leadership 

“I really appreciated the structure of each class. They all had the same general structure, so it made it easier to adapt to each class, each term. Plus, as a father working a full-time job, I was able to do the work when the kids went to bed. So I never missed time with them.”

1Select programs may require student teaching, an internship or practicum. 

2This is an estimated value of the cost of tuition and fees. Actual amounts may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, the receipt of scholarship or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law. 

3Internal research completed in November 2025 

4Student Right to Know. Accessed June 24, 2026. 

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