WHAT ARE 2 YEAR COLLEGES?

Two-year colleges offer programs that last up to two years that lead to a certificate or an associate degree. These include community colleges, vocational-technical colleges and career colleges. 

Community colleges, or two-year schools, are a type of school that offers enrollment to those that live in the surrounding community. Typically they are open enrollment for students who have graduated from high school. All District 113 students live in the College of Lake County district.

COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY 

Book an Appointment with Erin, our College Navigator at CLC:

https://calendly.com/erinmartinclc (prospective students who have not applied to CLC)

At CLC, you can:

• Earn a Certificate to obtain job-specific skills

• Earn an Associates Degree to prepare to enter the workforce or to transfer to a 4 Year college

• Complete an apprenticeship to earn money through work while taking courses toward your degree

• Earn a 4 Year degree (bachelors) degree through CLC's University Center

Certificate Programs

• Can be a great way to get additional training in a specific area.

• Generally can be completed in 6-18 months and require no General Education classes (e.g. Math, English, etc.)

• Many can be “stacked” on top of previous certificates to make yourself more marketable when applying for jobs or moving up in your company

• CLC offers over 40 certificates, but also have tuition agreements with other schools for programs not offered.

Examples:

• Computer Information Technology

• Dental Hygiene

• Early Childhood

• HVAC Engineering Technology

• Legal Studies

• Massage Therapy

• Welding

Associate's Degrees & Transfer Programs

Associate's Degrees are two-year career programs to prepare to enter the workforce or to transfer to four-year institutions.

• Transfer Options 

Four-year universities who offer guaranteed transfer admission

Academic counselors help you choose classes based on where you want to transfer

• Pathways to University of Illinois Engineering

Complete 2 years at CLC and then your last 2 years at the University of Illinois

• University Center

Earn your bachelor's degree without leaving CLC's campus

University partners: Concordia, Depaul, Dominican, National Louis, North Park, NEIU,

NIU, Roosevelt, SIUC, SIUE, University of Illinois

Apprenticeships

• Employers hire you, pay you a salary with benefits, plus pay for your education

• You usually spend 1.5-2 years minimum working for that company after your education is complete

• Some employers will pay for your bachelor’s degree afterward

• Sample career fields:

  • Banking and Finance

  • Insurance

  • CNC Precision Machining

  • Cybersecurity/Networking

  • Marketing and Sales Management

  • Graphic Arts Print Production

  • Supply Chain Management

  • Industrial Maintenance Mechanic

OTHER COMMUNITY COLLEGE OPTIONS

Joint Agreements

If CLC does not offer the certificate or degree program you are interested in, you can request to attend a different community college in Illinois for the price of that school's in-district tuition through a joint agreement. Students would apply to both colleges and submit a joint agreement form to CLC.

• CLICK HERE for the joint agreement form.

Unique Parnterships

Tallahassee Community College - Aspire Transfer Program with Florida State University

Community Colleges with Housing

Some community colleges offer housing. Here are some examples:

• Kirkwood Community College (near University of Iowa)

• Spoon River College (housing at Western Illinois University)

• Parkland Pathways: (housing at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign)

• Florida State University: Transfer admission is based on major - freshman admission is not. But students can pursue the Tallahasee Community College pathways - 2 miles from campus and can live in South Gate Hall private off campus residence halls. Tallahassee only private dorm!

• University of Wisconsin System (two-year schools with housing)

  1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. UW-Eau Claire -- Barron County offers student apartments to students who wish to be closer to campus. However, there is a limited capacity. 

                 2. UW-Oshkosh, Fond du Lac Campus offers student apartments on a first-come, first-served basis.

                 3. UW-Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus offers student apartments on a first-come, first-served basis.

                 4. UW Platteville Baraboo Sauk County offers student apartments.

                 5. UW-Whitewater at Rock County offers housing within the student residence halls on the main campus.

• Colorado Mountain College  (Leadville, Glenwood Springs, Steamboat Springs)

• University of Missouri: Moberly Area Community College (MACC) Tiger Pathway bridge program with Mizzou. Tiger Pathways students have access to MACC and Mizzou services and facilities including residence halls, the library, recreation center, student organizations and athletic events. 

• See complete list here.