Academics

Department of Education > Post-BA Teacher Certification
(Information for Adults in the Community Who Already Hold a Bachelor's Degree)

Although most Lake Forest College students are undergraduates, we welcome adults from the community and make special efforts to meet their needs. Our Education program, which leads to Illinois Teacher Certification for High School (6-12) or Elementary (K-9), is a good one and we have an excellent record of placing our graduates in schools in the area. Lake Forest College does not offer a master's degree in Education.

Summary of what is required for adults from the community to obtain Illinois teacher certification through Lake Forest College.

You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Moreover, you must have completed an academic major in a traditional liberal arts academic discipline and that major must meet the requirements for the parallel Lake Forest College major. Candidates for secondary certification must have majored in one of the following disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, English, French, History, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, or Spanish. Candidates for elementary certification may have majored in any field in which Lake Forest College offers a major. Please note that Lake Forest College does not offer majors in Health Sciences, Management Sciences, or Physical Education.

In addition, you need to meet two kinds of requirements established by the State. The first is what they call general education, which usually but not always is covered by your bachelor's degree. Second, there is professional teacher education, which includes 1) substantive courses like History or Philosophy of Education, and several psychology courses, 2) methods courses, and 3) clinical hours in the classroom, including a semester of student or practice teaching. To complete the professional education requirement, you will have to take eleven or twelve LFC courses to meet the State's requirements for certification through the College. (For a fuller discussion of the requirements for certification see the Education Department.)

As to the matter of cost, because we are a private college, not supported by tax monies, students bear a large proportion of the cost of their education. Tuition for our courses, each of which carries four semester hours of credit, is $3825 per course. Adults who are 30 or over and not seeking a degree (since they already have a bachelor's degree) may be eligible for a special tuition rate of $2230 per four semester hour course. In addition, Lake Forest College alumni of any age may be eligible for a tuition reduction program at the $2230 per course rate. Please note that the College's strong financial aid program does not apply to people who already have a bachelor's degree, although they might be eligible for guaranteed student loans.