Major in Education and Minor in Educational Studies
The Department of Education offers a major in education for students interested in teacher certification at the elementary (K-9), secondary (6-12), or K-12 levels. An interdisciplinary educational studies minor is offered for those students who have a strong interest in educational issues but do not wish to complete a teacher certification program at the undergraduate level.
Requirements for the Major in Education:
Requirements in brief:
All students in the teacher education program fulfill four sets of requirements to graduate with a recommendation for certification:
- Completion of the Lake Forest College GEC – see an advisor in the Department of Education for recommended courses
- Completion of the course requirements within the Department of Education
- Completion of a major outside of the Department of Education
- for secondary education – a major in the content area of certification
- for elementary education – any content major at the College
- Additional courses as necessary to meet Content Area Standards in broad fields for certification
Required Courses:
The following courses are required for majors in secondary/K-12 education:
- Education 210: Observing the School Process
- Education 215: Instructional Communication
- Choose 1 of the following:
- Education / Philosophy 220: Philosophy of Education
- Education / Sociology & Anthropology 244: Anthropology of Education
- Education / History 270: History of Education
- Education 313: Reading in the Content Areas
- Education 314: Inclusive Learning Environments
- Education 315: Middle School Fieldwork
- Education 419: General Secondary Methods / Senior Seminar
- Education 420: Discipline Specific Secondary Methods / Senior Seminar (only for those seeking Secondary certification)
- Education 421: Secondary Student Teaching
- Education 422 Discipline-Specific K-12 Curriculum and Instructional Design / Senior Seminar (only for those seeking K-12 certification)
- Psychology 110: Introduction to Psychology
- Psychology 210: Developmental Psychology
The following courses are required for majors in elementary education:
- Education 210: Observing the School Process
- Education 215: Instructional Communication
- Choose 1 of the following:
- Education / Philosophy 220: Philosophy of Education
- Education / Sociology & Anthropology 244: Anthropology of Education
- Education / History 270: History of Education
- Education 303: Elementary Reading Methods
- Education 304: Elementary Fieldwork
- Education 306: Teaching Adolescent Students (only for those seeking middle school endorsement)
- Education 312: Arts in the Learning Process
- Education 314: Inclusive Learning Environments
- Education 416: Elementary Content Area Literacy and Social Studies Methods / Senior Seminar
- Education 417: Elementary Math and Science Methods / Senior Seminar
- Education 418: Elementary Student Teaching
- Physical Education 126: Concepts of Health Education
- Psychology 110: Introduction to Psychology
- Psychology 210: Developmental Psychology
Requirements for the Minor in Educational Studies:
At least 6 credits
- 1 of the following courses:
- Education 210: Observing the Schooling Process
- Education 212: Education Reform in the U.S.
- 1 of the following courses:
- Psychology 210: Developmental Psychology
- Psychology 318: Psychology Applied to Education
- 2 of the following courses:
- History 270: History of Education
- Philosophy 220: Philosophy of Education
- Sociology & Anthropology 244: Anthropology of Education
- Education 215: Instructional Communication Theory and Practice
- 2 of the following courses:
- Communication 420: Senior Seminar: Kids/Media/Culture
- Education 309: Immigration and Education: Race, Language, and American Schools
- Education 310: Equity and Social Justice in Schools
- Education 312: Integrating the Arts in the Learning Process
- Education 314: Inclusive Learning Environments
- Education 320: Comparative and International Education: Education as the Practice of Freedom
- Education 363: Creative Writing: Children’s & Young Adult Literature
- Education 450: Special Studies in Education (including the option for an approved internship)
- English 232: The Teaching of Writing
- International Relations 322/Education 322: Education and Development in Developing Countries
- Psychology 318: Psychology Applied to Education
- Sociology & Anthropology 350: Sociology of Knowledge
- Sociology & Anthropology 385: Intellectuals and Society
Stages of the Teacher Education Program at Lake Forest:
Students wishing to complete the teacher education program will complete four stages:
Stage 1: Becoming an Education Major
- Meet with a faculty member in the Department of Education to:
- declare the major
- plan a tentative 4-year course of study to meet program requirements
- learn about necessary state certification exams
- learn about other program requirements, including portfolio requirements
- Agree to allow the College to conduct a criminal background check for school security purposes. Students must successfully pass such a check to maintain the education major.
- Enroll in Education 210: Observing the School Process – introductory course in the major
Stage 2: Becoming a Teacher Candidate: Entering a Teacher Education Program
- Apply for entrance to the teacher education program – while enrolled in or after successfully completing Education 210 with a grade of B- or better
- Passing the Basic Skills Exam mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education
- Submit materials to the Department of Education at the time of interviewing for program entrance
- A copy of the student’s Lake Forest College transcript that indicates:
- A GPA of 2.75 or higher
- A B- or better in Education 210 or the average of Education 210 and History 270 or Philosophy 220 or Sociology & Anthropology 244 combined
- Successful completion of a portfolio of artifacts at Checkpoint #1 as described in the Developmental Portfolio Handbook
- Evidence that he/she has adhered to the Lake Forest College Statement of Respect and Responsibility and has not violated any College policies in ways that call into question the candidate’s readiness for teaching as outlined in the Identifying Characteristics of a Lake Forest College Educated Teacher. This will be demonstrated through the following materials collected by the Education Department:
- Academic advisor’s evaluation form
- Dean of Students evaluation form
- Education 210 instructor’s positive recommendation
- Successfully pass an interview with members of the Department faculty. At the interview, students will be assessed on:
- Seriousness of purpose/commitment
- Oral communication skills
- Academic skills including flexibility, maturity, and independence
- Relevant experiences with targeted age group
- The Department Chair will invite majors to interview based on readiness for program entry. Readiness indicators include:
- Grade point average
- Performance in Lake Forest College courses required for education majors
- Demonstrations of responsibility on campus, in the classroom, in field experiences, and in advising situations
To maintain teacher education program candidacy, students must continue to sustain the above requirements. Students will be exited from the program and will need to reapply if not all of the above requirements are sustained or if evidence is obtained that brings into question the candidate’s readiness for teaching as articulated in the Identifying Dispositions of a Lake Forest College Educated Teacher.
Students must become candidates before they can enter the internship courses (Education 304; Education 315) in any of the teacher education programs.
Stage 3: Becoming a Student Teacher: Application for Student Teaching
Teacher candidates who successfully complete (with a B- or better) internship and methods coursework (all 300 and 400 level courses) may apply for a student teaching placement. All other courses (including GEC requirements) applied toward certification or designations must be completed with a grade of C or better. This application process must be completed within the first three weeks of the semester prior to the requested student teaching placement.
The following evidence must be presented by the Director of Clinical Partnerships to the Education Advisory Council:
- Fieldwork supervisor’s recommendation for continuation in certification program upon completion of internship.
- Evidence of completion of content-area or second major course of study before student teaching.
- A transcript with a 2.75 GPA.
- Successful completion of a portfolio of artifacts at Checkpoints #2a and #2b as described in the Developmental Portfolio Handbook
- Passing score on secondary content-area or elementary content-area exam mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education.
The Education Advisory Council can ask for additional evidence such as recommendations from course instructors, cooperating teachers, college personnel or additional portfolio artifacts.
Following approval by the EAC, candidates will meet with the Director of Clinical Partnerships for further instructions on the placement process.
Stage 4: Becoming a Licensed Teacher: Application for Recommendation for Certification
The Certification Officer will recommend student teachers for certification when the following is completed:
- Application for License, including declaring citizenship and no felony charges,
- Successful completion of a portfolio of artifacts at Checkpoint #3 as described in the Developmental Portfolio Handbook
- Successful completion of the exit interview presentation (Checkpoint #4) as described in the Developmental Portfolio Handbook
- Passing grade in student teaching and supervisor’s recommendation for certification
- Passing the Assessment of Professional Teaching exam mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education.
For more details on course sequences and developmental checkpoints, see the Education Department Policies and Procedures Handbook and the Developmental Portfolio Handbook and the Education Major Planning Sheets.
Academic Grievances for Teacher Education Students
Teacher education candidates have the same academic rights and responsibilities as all Lake Forest College students. There are, however, specific situations in the teacher education program when decisions may be cause for student grievances. These situations include the following:
- Admission to or dismissal from the teacher education program, a clinical experience, or student teaching
- Evaluation of the candidate’s performance in courses, clinical experiences, or student teaching
- Recommendation for state certification or for employment
Students who wish to appeal any of these teacher education matters should first confer with the chairperson of the Education Department. Appeals must be made in writing to the Education Advisory Council through the chairperson of the Education Department. Students may have personal, academic, or legal support in hearings concerning teacher education matters. The case may be further appealed to the Academic Appeals Board and, finally, to the President of the College.
