Degrees & Certificates

Honors students standing and being recognized at graduation

Elgin Community College offers various associate degrees and certificate programs that allow you to build your foundation for a brighter future from the ground up. Earn an associate degree to transfer to a four-year university, a basic certificate to prepare for immediate employment, advance your career or start a new one with a vocational certificate. With affordable tuition, dedicated faculty, and outstanding facilities, an investment in your education at ECC is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

At ECC—centrally located halfway between Chicago and Rockford—we strive to make college flexible and affordable. Take our quiz to discover how your interests relate to a specific major or certificate offered at ECC. Start the quiz on the ECC Career Coach website.

Online Degrees and Certificates

We offer online options to allow you to work towards your educational goals while maintaining your busy lifestyle.

Learn More

Associate Degrees

An Associate Degree from Elgin Community College provides the knowledge and skillset required to obtain immediate employment or transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Our available associate degrees include the following:

Here are a few of our guided transfer pathways to help you move on to finish a bachelor's degree after starting at ECC:

  • Guaranteed Admission for Engineering Pathways students into Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
  • BS-AMT with an emphasis on Applied Manufacturing Technology at Northern Illinois University.
  • Industrial Management and Applied Engineering Pathways Program with Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
  • Special Education transfer pathway to the Northern Illinois University College of Education-graduated teachers without traveling to DeKalb. 
  • Elementary Education with Bilingual/ESL Endorsement from Northern Illinois University and delivered entirely on ECC's campus.

Transfer Guides

Certificates

Basic Certificates

ECC offers certificates that provide quick and focused programs of study. Most of our certificate curriculums are between 1-29 credit hours.

Some of our basic certificate areas of study include:

Vocational Certificates

ECC offers certificates that develop additional skills, leading to pay raises and career advancement. You can earn a vocational certificate at ECC within 30-50 credit hours.

Some of our vocational certificate areas of study include:

Academic Programs

You can also browse through all of our academic programs and areas of study by browsing the tabs below.

Enroll in a Career & Technical Program

It’s more than just a job—it’s your career. Train for the rewarding career you’ve always wanted.

Career & Technical Programs

We're Here To Support You

You'll earn the professional credentials and focused knowledge you need to advance in your career. Along the way, you'll have the support of dedicated advisors, as well as accomplished faculty who bring real-world experience to the classroom.

Academic & Transfer Advising

Start at ECC to earn a bachelor's degree or earn summer credit for transfer.

You can earn an associate degree to seamlessly transfer to a four-year university or to gain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

Planning to Transfer

If you plan to earn a bachelor's degree, identify your desired area of study and work with your academic adviser, who will help you develop an academic plan to pursue one of the following transfer degrees:

Earn Summer Credits

Earn summer credits for transfer, or begin dual admission with a university.

Summer Transfer Students