The Associate’s Degree Program (ADP) is a McLean County Unit District #5 School District program that allows students to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science through Heartland Community College (HCC) while still in high school.  The four-year program includes traditional high school classes, Advanced Placement courses, HCC Dual Credit courses taken at high school, and college courses taken on the Heartland campus.  Other benefits to students in the Associate’s Degree Program include:

• Provides a strong start for students who wish to major in a field of STEM, including science, technology, engineering, and computer science

• Provides up to 60 college credit hours which can transfer to post-secondary institutions

• Develop fundamental programming skills while learning Python® and Java® programming languages as well as skills with object-oriented programming and data structures.

• Work with a mentor from State Farm Insurance or other local businesses to gain real-world experience and professional skills within the STEM industry

• Explore careers within  the computer science field and how computer science is related to various careers

•  Internship opportunities to apply knowledge & skills gained through coursework

• Apply STEM skills and knowledge by engaging in hands-on projects

• Visits and field trips with industry experts to explore the field of computer science

Students interested in participating in the Associate’s Degree Program can apply during 8th grade and will begin the program as freshmen in high school. More information about the courses, opportunities, and frequently asked questions can be found using the links above.

• Class of 2030 STEM Program Application

  • **Available October 28th - Dec. 7th, 2025**

• Normal West ADP Presentation