Master of Liberal Studies

The MLS program welcomes educators and has a program of grants to help pay tuition. Teachers are eligible for grants that can reduce their tuition per course by as much as half. Applying for a grant is simple. Email Cynthia Hahn at hahn@lakeforest.edu to learn more.

Auditing MLS Seminars

Adults may register to audit an MLS seminar, assuming there is space in the class.  Students who audit an MLS seminar attend classes and may participate in discussion, but they do not write the papers. Auditors do not earn academic credit but the course they audit will be listed on their official transcripts with the designation of AU.  Tuition for auditing is currently $600 per course. 

Option for MLS Auditors to Transition into the MLS Program

Students who successfully audit four MLS seminars will be granted one graduate credit, which may be counted towards the eight credits needed for the Master of Liberal Studies degree. 

• Robert Bullard: "I undertook the MLS program to advance my professional career. I was looking for an opportunity for real intellectual stimulation and I was absoultely energized by the idea of sitting around a table with professionals from other careers and sharing thoughts and ideas -- and debating those ideas. It was a great opportunity to be in class with the best of the best in teaching faculty."
• Anita Cukier: “Challenging, yet non-competitive, the MLS program encourages independent thinking, fosters interests, and opens up new horizons. It is a nurturing program led by professors whose constant encouragement instills confidence and resolve and inspire further academic endeavors.”
• Thomas Skelly: “The quality of the discussion around very interesting topics I found to be excellent. You get a clear diversity of opinion among professors and students with different life experiences.”
• Jane Steen: “I developed more confidence in writing and speaking about a variety of subjects.”