American College of Education’s roots date back more than 150 years. In 2005, American College of Education purchased Barat College, which was affiliated with DePaul University. Barat College began as an academy for young women in Chicago in 1858 and moved to Lake Forest, Illinois in 1904. In 1918, the State of Illinois chartered Barat as a four-year college, and in 1982, Barat became a co-educational institution.
Governance of the college passed from the Society of the Sacred Heart to an independent board of trustees in 1969. In February 2001, Barat College formed an educational alliance with DePaul University. While Barat College remained a separate institution, the Barat campus became a campus in the DePaul University system. Barat College was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1943. From that time forward, Barat maintained continuous accreditation.
American College of Education was formally incorporated in Illinois on February 25, 2005. American College of Education immediately applied to The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association to continue the accreditation of Barat College under its new name and ownership. The Higher Learning Commission approved this request in March 2006. ACE maintains regional accreditation through The Higher Learning Commission today.
American College of Education is committed to providing high quality, affordable educational programs for teachers, administrators, researchers, and other school professionals that will prepare them to meet the challenges of 21st century students and schools. The College affords increased access to educational opportunities by offering its programs online, reducing geographic and scheduling hindrances for busy professionals and keeping tuition fees low. With coursework grounded in current research, American College of Education enables its students to develop the knowledge and skills to be effective teachers and leaders and add value to the educational system.