For the Masonic Scholar

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Welcome to Illinois Masonic Education Program. This Masonic Education Program aims to assist the Master Mason in his search for Further Light in Masonry. To do this, they will familiarize themselves with various aspects of Masonry by participating in a comprehensive education program consisting of four parts or levels, culminating in becoming an Illinois Masonic Scholar. 

This program encourages Masons to seek a greater understanding of Masonry in all its aspects. The program allows the Mason to pursue this home study program at his own pace, covering his own interests and enabling him to be more confident in sharing that knowledge with his fellows.

This program is designed for those Master Masons who enjoy pursuing scholarly work. Throughout the program, Masons will be introduced to various aspects of Masonic Education, including General Masonic Knowledge, Masonic History, Philosophy, Symbolism, and Esotericism. 

Since this is a self-study program, we have provided some basic tools to aid your studies. You must know the subject and demonstrate an ability to identify and apply the Masonic principles you have learned. Your progress will be analyzed through your evaluation reports, exams, and presentations, including a final project.

The Master Mason will receive a certificate of achievement upon successfully completing each level. Successful completion of all four levels of the program, the Master Mason will receive the jewel of the Illinois Masonic Scholar, the Pine Cone.

In this level, you are charged with further developing your understanding of general Masonic Information, Masonic Philosophy, and Symbolism. You are asked to read eight books, three of which are required. For each book, you will write a 2-3-page book review. You will receive a written exam based on three required books after completing your third book evaluation. Upon completion of the eight Education Points, Level I is complete. This section focuses on General Masonic Knowledge, such as rules, customs, and traditions, emphasizing origins.

In this level, you are charged with further evolving your knowledge of Masonry by examining Freemasonry throughout time. We also examine Prince Hall Masonry, the Anti-Masonic movement, and Clandestine Masonry and the impact each has on the craft. In this part of the course, we attempt to develop your inner scholar; we do this by causing you, in addition to completing your book reviews and written exam, to deliver an educational presentation of your choice to your local lodge. Book reviews count as 1 point, whereas educational presentations count as 2 points. 2 Books are required. 

In this level, you are charged with further developing your mind by being re-introduced to the symbols of the degrees in the symbolic lodge, only this time, some of those symbols have additional meanings. To complete this level, you must read one book, write your book evaluation, and complete your exam. This level is designed to assist the Master Mason in his scholarly pursuit by re-introducing him to the various symbols and their often-multi-layered meanings, allowing him to foster more profound thought.

In this level, we aim to test your scholarly abilities, causing you to write a minimum 5-page paper. The paper can be either a comprehensive review of this education program or a research paper dealing with some aspect of Esoteric Masonry. This section is a little different, whereas there is no comprehensive exam to test your knowledge. This is because, at this point, you have become a Masonic Scholar, and it is your turn to show us your best work. This section is designed to develop the Masonic Scholar/Practitioner further and look at Masonry from a philosophical aspect.