Harper College
Adult Educational Development
Students in Harper AED's English Literacy Acquisition (ELA) program listen to a lecture in a classroom on the Harper College campus in Palatine, Illinois.
Students in Harper AED's English Literacy Acquisition (ELA) program listen to a lecture in a classroom on the Harper College campus in Palatine, Illinois.

Harper College Adult Educational Development (AED)

Harper College offers free adult education classes to help adult students develop essential skills needed for today’s workforce. Whether you 
are working toward a High School Diploma or looking to improve your English language skills, AED is here to support you and help you succeed. Harper College’s AED department operates under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Harper’s High School Equivalency (HSE) program provides the opportunity to earn a high school diploma with convenient morning and 
evening classes that prepare students for HSE exams. Our department also offers resources for students seeking to attend college after 
earning a HSE diploma.

The English Literacy Acquisition (ELA) program offers classes that help non-native English speakers improve skills in reading, writing, and 
speaking in English. Students will gain a better understanding of the English language and develop abilities in digital literacy and problem 
solving.

Click on a program button below for more details on the program area, classes, and more.

 

How to Apply

  1. Click the Apply Now button below.
  2. Create a new user account.
  3. Click Start New.
  4. Scroll down to find the application for your selected program. Example: Adult Educational Development - English Language Acquisition (ELA)
  5. Select your preferred term. Example: Fall 2025
  6. Answer all screening questions.
  7. Save, review, and submit your application.

Students in AED's High School Equivalency (HSE) program discuss and assignment in a classroom on the Harper College campus in Palatine, Illinois.

What to Expect After Applying

After submitting an application, students can expect to fulfill several program requirements before attending classes.

  • Students are required to provide a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or a passport to verify their identity.
  • Students must take a placement test to find the best fit. You will receive an email from AEDINFO@harpercollege.edu with details about your placement test's date, time, and location. Please check your spam folder to avoid missing this important message. You must attend your scheduled testing date.
  • After the placement test, students will be able to enroll in classes. 
  • Every 40 hours of instruction, students must take an exam to assess their learning.
Student in an AED program uses a laptop borrowed from the Harper College library in Palatine, Illinois.

   Need a Laptop for Class?

    Students enrolled in an AED program are eligible to borrow 
    Chromebooks, calculators, or other technology with the 
    Harper College Library’s Semester Loan Technology 
    Program. Contact your ELA or HSE instructor or AED 
    advisor for more information.

Campus Locations

Sites

image of Harper's main campus

Main Campus

1200 West Algonquin Road Palatine 60067

People for Our Community building

Partners for Our Community (POC)

1585 N Rand Road Palatine 60074

learning and career center building

Learning and Career Center (LCC)

1375 South Wolf Road Prospect Heights 60070

Education and Work Center building

Education and Work Center (EWC)

6704 Barrington Road Hanover Park 60133

 

 Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you will need a computer for a class. If you do not have one, Harper College offers Chromebooks for enrolled students to borrow free of charge throughout the semester.

Our ELA classes meet twice a week, either on Monday and Wednesday or on Tuesday and Thursday

Morning classes run from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, while evening classes are from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

The fall semester begins in August, and the spring semester starts in January. The actual dates are updated each year

We offer the same classes that are on the GED exam: math, language arts, social science, and social studies. Students can enroll in one or multiple HSE classes each semester. 

Each HSE class meets once a week. If a student is enrolled in all three subject areas, the student would have class three times a week.

HSE morning classes run from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, while evening classes are from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

 

Last Updated: 7/17/25