Admission and Tuition

Requirements for entry into the MAT Program differ depending on whether you already have a bachelor’s degree or if you are a current or recently transferred student at Lake Forest College.

Tuition

Tuition for individuals with a bachelor’s degree: $3,724 per course

Admission Requirements for Individuals with a Bachelor’s Degree:

• Application deadline for fall: July 1
• Application deadline for spring: November 1

Before beginning step one of the official application process below, you must contact Dr. Desmond Odugu directly at  odugu@lakeforest.edu to schedule an appointment for a meeting (in person or phone) and transcript evaluation. Do not begin the online application process until you have met with Dr. Odugu.

MAT Application

Step One

With the application, you will need to submit the following:

1. A non-refundable MAT application fee of $50 (for review of transcript and additional materials)
2. Official college transcript that shows Bachelors’ degree from accredited institution*
3. Official college transcripts from each institution attended
4. Documentation of passing score in ISBE Content Area Test or scheduled test date
5. One letter of recommendation from an employer or a professor at your prior institution (in desired certification area for secondary education candidates or content area major for elementary education candidate) for academic and character reference
6. Statement of academic and professional goals (1-2 pages)

*A 3.0 GPA in area of certification is expected. Consideration will also be given to the rigor of the BA preparation as well as evaluation of the content area portfolio.

Step Two

Transcript review by MAT Coordinator

Step Three

Orientation meeting with MAT coordinator regarding portfolio and interview preparation. Please contact Adrienne Thoms, Education Department Assistant at 847-735-5169 or  thoms@lakeforest.edu to arrange an appointment.

Step Four

Submission of Content Area Assessments Portfolio (see MAT Handbook) in discipline-specific secondary or elementary broad fields to be evaluated and reviewed by Education Advisory Council content area liaison for strengths and weaknesses in content/licensure area and possible additional course recommendations  

Step Five

1. Successful interview with Department of Education faculty that includes assessment of the following:
   
   • communication skills
   • clarity of goals for teaching
   • identifying characteristics demonstrated in areas of preprofessional dispositions, reflection, resourcefulness and potential for remaining characteristics to be demonstrated
   • relevant experiences with targeted age group
2. On-site writing sample

Step Six

Evidence from state police background check that the student is suitable to work with children (arranged through Lake Forest College)

Step Seven

Admission or provisional admission to MAT program and course registration

Step Eight

Continuing participation in the program and official admission to the licensure program is contingent upon successful completion of all testing, subsequent portfolio checkpoints, and course requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR LAKE FOREST COLLEGE AND
TRANSFER UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

• Recommendation from your major advisor
• Good standing at the College, compliance with ethics policy, verification by Dean of students
• Transcript evaluation and review by Education Advisory Content Area liaison for strengths and weaknesses in content area and possible additional course recommendations
• Schedule to complete major for graduation
• GPA of 2.75
• Submission of Content Area Assessments Portfolio (see M.A.T. Handbook) in discipline-specific secondary or elementary broad fields to be evaluated and reviewed by Education Advisory Council content area liaison for strengths and weaknesses in content/certification area and possible additional course recommendations 
• Department interview
• On-site writing sample
• Passing of Illinois State Police background check
• B- or better in EDUC 210