Navigating Your Academic Journey: A Comprehensive Guide to Majors at Lake Forest College

Lake Forest College, a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois, offers a diverse range of academic programs designed to foster intellectual curiosity and prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world. With a commitment to interdisciplinary learning and personalized attention, Lake Forest provides a supportive environment where students can explore their passions and develop the skills necessary to thrive in their chosen fields. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the majors offered at Lake Forest College, along with information on minors, concentrations, and special programs.

Academic Structure: Majors, Minors, and Concentrations

Lake Forest College maintains majors and minors, which permit depth of study in our departments and interdisciplinary programs. The college offers a flexible academic structure that allows students to tailor their education to their individual interests and goals. Students can choose to pursue a major, a minor, or both, and can also opt to complete a concentration within their major.

Majors: Deep Dive into a Specific Field

A major represents significant course work leading to substantial knowledge and competence in a given field. A major includes the culminating senior studies requirement, ordinarily a senior seminar or a senior thesis. At least 8 but no more than 15 courses must be taken in the student’s major field, but more than the minimum of 8 may be required.

Majors are designed to provide students with a deep understanding of a specific field of study. They typically involve a sequence of courses that build upon each other, culminating in a senior studies requirement such as a thesis or seminar. Lake Forest College offers majors in a wide variety of disciplines, including:

African American Studies
Area Studies
Art
Asian Studies
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Communication
Computer Science
Data Science
Economics
Education
English
Environmental Studies
Finance
French
History
International Relations
Latin American and Latinx Studies
Mathematics
Music
Music Education
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Politics
Psychology
Religion
Self-Designed Major
Sociology and Anthropology
Spanish
Theater

Tracks within Majors

Some departments/programs offer “tracks” within their major, which represent different specialties within the major (e.g., an English major can complete either the literature track or the writing track). In other words, a track is a version of a major and it is inseparable from the major such that a student must complete a track to complete the major (e.g., there is no “stand alone” English major; that is, students must choose either English: Literature Track or English: Writing Track). The major/track combination appears on the student’s transcript.

Read also: Enhancing Education in Lake County

Presently, the College offers the following major/track combinations:

Art: Art History Track
Art: New Media Art and Design Track
Art: Studio Art Track
Data Science: Finance and Economics Track
Data Science: Statistics Track
Data Science: Computer Science Track
English: Literature Track
English: Writing Track

Minors: Broadening Your Academic Horizons

A minor entails less course work than a major and is designed to produce basic knowledge and competence in a given field outside of one’s major. Therefore, the minor must consist of at least six courses, including four courses that do not double count in the student’s major or other minor. Minors are optional-students may declare a minor any time before they graduate but are not required to declare a minor for graduation. The minor appears on the student’s transcript.

Minors provide students with the opportunity to explore a secondary area of interest and gain a broader perspective on their chosen field of study. They typically consist of a smaller number of courses than a major and can be completed in a variety of disciplines. Lake Forest College offers minors in:

African American Studies
Area Studies
Art
AI Studies & Governance
Asian Studies
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Chinese
Cinema Studies
Classical Studies
Communication
Computer Science
Data Science
Digital Media Design
Economics
Education
Educational Studies
English
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Environmental Studies
Finance
French
Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
History
International Relations
Journalism
Latin American Studies
Legal Studies
Mathematics
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Museum Studies
Music
Music Education
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Politics
Print and Digital Publishing
Psychology
Public Policy
Religion
Social Justice
Sociology and Anthropology
Spanish
Theater

Concentrations: Focused Specialization within a Major

A concentration allows students to augment their major with focused coursework in a complementary field or specialty area (e.g., a student in interested in economics can complete either the “stand alone” Economics Major or the student could complete an Economics Major with Finance Concentration). Concentrations are paired with specific majors, typically require less coursework than minors, and are exempt from double-counting rules. Concentrations are optional-students may complete a given major either with or without a concentration. Declared major-concentration combinations appear on the student’s transcript (e.g., Finance Major: Accounting Concentration).

Concentrations allow students to specialize within their major and gain expertise in a particular area. They typically involve a set of courses that are related to the major but focus on a specific topic or skill. Lake Forest College offers the following majors with concentrations:

Read also: Office of Education Initiatives

Asian Studies with a Language Concentration
Business with an Accounting Concentration
Business with a Management Concentration
Business with a Marketing Concentration
Economics with a Finance Concentration
Finance with an Accounting Concentration
Finance with an Economics Concentration

Restrictions on Combinations of Majors and Minors

Students may declare up to two majors and one minor or up to one major and two minors. Students declaring a major and a minor must complete course requirements in both major and minor fields. It is possible for some courses to be counted toward both majors. However, the second major must consist of at least five separate courses, ones that do not double count, and at least three of these five must be at the 300 or 400 level. Students who have more than one major must satisfy the senior studies requirement in each of their majors; a single senior studies credit cannot count towards two majors.

At a minimum, students must complete one major in order to graduate from the College. In all cases, students are expected to declare a major by the end of the sophomore year and to make significant progress toward the completion of that major during the junior year.

Interdisciplinary Studies: Connecting Disciplines

The College encourages interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge and supports majors and minors that seek to draw connections among traditional academic disciplines. Many of our majors and minors, listed above, cross disciplines.

Lake Forest College is committed to fostering interdisciplinary learning and encourages students to explore connections between different fields of study. Many of the college's majors and minors are interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on concepts and methods from multiple disciplines.

Self-Designed Major Program: Creating Your Own Path

Some of our strongest students find that no one traditional major fully meets what they want to study. A student interested in psychoneuroimmunology could major in psychology and biology but still might find his needs aren’t entirely met with those two departments alone.

Working with a faculty advisor, students accepted into the Self-Designed Major program can develop their own major, culminating in a thesis or creative project. This major is compatible with the pursuit of a second major as well.

The Self-Designed Major emphasizes self-determination for its students. The responsibility for initiative lies with students, beginning with presentation of their case for admission to the program. Second-semester sophomores or first-semester juniors are invited to apply and submit a detailed presentation of their proposal. The Self-Designed Major program takes place during the junior and senior years. Admission is determined by the Self-Designed Major Program Committee.

For students with unique academic interests that cannot be fully addressed by traditional majors, Lake Forest College offers the Self-Designed Major program. This program allows students to create their own individualized major, working closely with a faculty advisor to develop a curriculum that meets their specific needs and goals.

Pre-Professional Programs and Partnerships

Lake Forest College also offers a variety of pre-professional programs and partnerships that provide students with opportunities to gain practical experience and prepare for careers in specific fields.

Pre-Law Advising Program

The Pre-Law Advising Program supports students who are considering a career in the field of law and assists them in the process of applying to law schools.

For students interested in pursuing a career in law, Lake Forest College offers a Pre-Law Advising Program that provides guidance and support throughout the law school application process.

Nursing Pathways Program

The new Nursing Pathways Program builds a strong foundation for your future in Nursing. Our strategic partnerships, innovative curriculum, and work with top-tier hospitals in the greater Chicago area give students early exposure to the field.

Lake Forest College also offers pathways programs in Nursing, providing students with early exposure to the field through strategic partnerships, innovative curriculum, and collaborations with top-tier hospitals in the greater Chicago area.

Accelerated Programs and Affiliations

Lake Forest College has established partnerships with several universities to offer accelerated programs in various fields, allowing students to earn both a bachelor's degree from Lake Forest and a professional degree from the partner institution in a shorter amount of time. These programs include:

Accounting with Mason School of Business’s Master of Accounting Program

Lake Forest College students studying accounting have the opportunity to take a fast track into the College of William and Mary’s Mason School of Business. In addition to discounted summer programs after junior and senior year, the application fee has been waived and our students are eligible for special scholarships.

In a unique partnership, Lake Forest invites its exceptional students to apply for admission (application fee waived) to Mason’s one-year MAcc program without providing GMAT scores if they have a GPA of 3.25 or higher. In addition to those admission benefits, the College of William and Mary offers three students $10,000 scholarships plus the opportunity to receive additional financial aid.

If a Lake Forest student is accepted into the program, then s/he may choose to participate in the MAcc summer intensive classes (the MAcc “boot camp”) as a way to fulfill MAcc prerequisites, either during the summer after her/his junior year or during the summer after her/his senior year.

Engineering with McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University

Lake Forest cooperates with the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, in a program designed for students who plan to become professional engineers but who also desire a rigorous liberal arts education. With an enhanced background in the social sciences and humanities, the prospective engineer is better prepared to assume the responsibilities of leadership in contemporary society.

The program requires each participating student to complete at least 24 course credits (at least 20 taken at Lake Forest College) before going on to the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University for the final years of study. Admission to the program is at the discretion of Washington University.

Students finishing this program will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lake Forest and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Washington University.

There are two possible engineering programs: a 3-2 program, which typically requires three years at Lake Forest followed by two years at Washington University and results in B.A. and B.S. degrees; or a 3-3 program, which entails an extra year at Washington University, but culminates in a B.A., B.S., plus a Master’s of Science degree in engineering.

A GPA of 3.25/4.0 or better, both overall and in science and mathematics courses is required for admission to the Dual Degree Program.

The required core of courses includes the following: Math 110, 111, 210, and 214 (Calculus I & II, Multivariable Calculus, and Differential Equations); Chemistry 115 (Chemistry I); Physics 120, 121 (General Physics I & II); and Computer Science 112 (Computer Science I).

International Relations with Middlebury Institute of International Policy and Management

Lake Forest College and the Middlebury Institute of International Policy and Management at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey are committed to educating and empowering the next generation of public policy professionals who will address critical global issues of the 21st Century.

If admitted to the Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program at the Institute, Lake Forest College students will be awarded a minimum scholarship of $10,000 per academic year. Exceptional candidates may receive additional scholarship funds.

Students admitted to the Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program with accelerated status need complete only 48 credits to earn their Master’s degree, instead of the 60 credits normally required.

Law Programs

Lake Forest College has established accelerated admissions programs with several law schools, allowing students to complete both their bachelor's degree and law degree in a shorter time period. These programs include partnerships with:

Maurice A. Deane School of Law - Hofstra University
IIT Chicago - Kent College of Law
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

Making the Most of Your Academic Experience

Choosing a major is an important decision, but it's also just one part of your overall college experience. Here are a few tips for making the most of your time at Lake Forest College:

Explore your interests: Take courses in a variety of subjects to discover what you're passionate about.
Get involved: Join clubs, organizations, and activities that interest you.
Seek out mentors: Connect with faculty and staff who can provide guidance and support.
Take advantage of resources: Utilize the college's academic and career services to help you achieve your goals.

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