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Your bright future starts today.
As a student at ECC, you'll join a diverse, welcoming community where every student matters, and your success is our top priority.
Each of our 138 degree and certificate programs offers the real-world experience and academic rigor you need for a successful transition to your next step. Whether you plan to transfer to a four-year school or earn a workforce-ready certificate, ECC will prepare you to thrive. Learn more about which path will best facilitate your personal and educational goals before you apply so that we make sure we put you on the right path!
Do you know what you want to study? Some people have it all figured out, or at least they think they do. Others have some ideas but are still deciding. If you'd like a personalized assessment to help decide, you can use ECC's Career Coach to see jobs and salary ranges for our programs of study that match your strengths and your interests.
Students interested in pursuing a health profession program will be assigned the Associate in Arts until you are formally accepted into the specific program. Read more about Programs with Special Admission Requirements.
Students who typically plan to transfer to a four-year college/university after attending ECC select one of our University Transfer programs. Coursework in the University Transfer programs is designed to meet the general education course requirements of most four-year institutions, such as communication, math, science, fine arts, etc. Our classes and degrees have transferred to nearly 1,000 four-year schools nationwide. Students may complete some or all of their general education requirements at ECC and then transfer to a 4-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. ECC's Associate in Arts and Associate in Science are the two most popular University Transfer programs. These options allow students to prepare to transfer for majors such as education, psychology, accounting, criminal justice, and pre-professional programs. Whatever your goal, our supportive faculty and staff are here to help you keep your momentum. With student support services like academic and transfer advising, tutoring, and career services, you’ll be ready for what comes next.
The other path known as Career & Technical Program is designed for students who are planning to enter the workforce immediately after ECC. Our short-term certificate programs will help you get working in a new career. We offer dozens of programs, including options for completing your certificate as a Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician, Supply Chain, and Logistics Specialist, or Cybersecurity.
Students who plan to learn a trade or skill to begin their career sooner usually choose a program in a career technical area. Courses heavily emphasize the skills you will need to start working in that field upon completion of your program at ECC. These programs tend to have fewer general education requirements so they generally do not transfer to another college. However, a few career technical education programs are coordinated with specific four-year institutions to allow a smooth transfer. If you are interested in transferring after completing one of the career technical education programs, it is important you discuss your plans with your ECC academic advisor when you meet to create your educational plan.
You're not alone being uncertain about what you want to study at ECC. Did you know that over 60 percent of students attending community college are still deciding on their program of study? Choosing what you want to study is a big decision, talking with someone who is trained to help you discover your major/career direction can be helpful. We want to share with you a few resources that will be useful in helping you make your decision about a program of study at ECC or beyond. For many students, making this choice is difficult because they don't know what career they want after college or they have so many ideas but don't know what college major/program of study will get them there. Career development specialists in the Student Success Center can help you answer the following questions:
- How do I start the process of choosing a major?
- How do I know what majors match my interests, values, and personality characteristics?
- What can I do with the major I am considering?
To make an appointment with a career development specialist, call 847-214-7399 or stop by B120.
If you are still deciding at this point, we recommend that you follow the educational plan for the Associate in Arts degree for selecting courses your first semester. We suggest this option because it is our most flexible program of study. This plan is designed for eventual transfer to a 4-year college or university. However, after starting in this area, if you determine that it is not the best choice for you, then you can change it the next semester. It is always important to discuss your plans with your ECC academic advisor when you meet to create your educational plan.
How to Apply
Applying is easy, and there’s no deadline or fee. We’re here to help, at every step of the way.
New College Students
Never attended college before? Here's how to get started.
Transfer Students
If you’ve attended another college or university, apply to ECC as a transfer student.
Summer Transfer Students
Planning on taking a few summer classes? Applying to ECC as a summer transfer student is easy.
Returning Students
Did you attend ECC in the past? Welcome back!
High School Students
Get a head start on college by earning credits while you’re still working on your high school diploma. Here’s how.
International Students
If you're a non-U.S. citizen interested in attending ECC on a visa, apply as an international student.
Continuing Education Students
Interested in taking a few continuing education classes for fun or personal development? Here's how to register.
GED®, Adult Basic Education, and ESL Students
ECC offers free ESL, GED, and basic adult education classes. Learn more and register now.
Programs with Special Admission Requirements
Some of our programs have extra admission requirements.
- Basic nurse assistant, nursing
- Clinical dental assisting
- Clinical laboratory technology
- Emergency medical technology-paramedic
- Histotechnology
- Physical therapist assistant
- Radiography
- Surgical technology
- Truck driving
Contact
Admissions & Recruitment
Building B, Room B110
847-214-7385
Fax: 847-608-5458
admissions@elgin.edu
Office Hours
Monday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer Hours
Monday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Students who typically plan to transfer to a four-year college/university after attending ECC select one of our University Transfer programs. Coursework in the University Transfer programs is designed to meet the general education course requirements of most four-year institutions, such as communication, math, science, fine arts, etc. Our classes and degrees have transferred to nearly 1,000 four-year schools nationwide. Students may complete some or all of their general education requirements at ECC and then transfer to a 4-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. ECC's Associate in Arts and Associate in Science are the two most popular University Transfer programs. These options allow students to prepare to transfer for majors such as education, psychology, accounting, criminal justice, and pre-professional programs. Whatever your goal, our supportive faculty and staff are here to help you keep your momentum. With student support services like academic and transfer advising, tutoring, and career services, you’ll be ready for what comes next.
The other path known as Career & Technical Program is designed for students who are planning to enter the workforce immediately after ECC. Our short-term certificate programs will help you get working in a new career. We offer dozens of programs, including options for completing your certificate as a Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician, Supply Chain, and Logistics Specialist, or Cybersecurity.
Students who plan to learn a trade or skill to begin their career sooner usually choose a program in a career technical area. Courses heavily emphasize the skills you will need to start working in that field upon completion of your program at ECC. These programs tend to have fewer general education requirements so they generally do not transfer to another college. However, a few career technical education programs are coordinated with specific four-year institutions to allow a smooth transfer. If you are interested in transferring after completing one of the career technical education programs, it is important you discuss your plans with your ECC academic advisor when you meet to create your educational plan.
You're not alone being uncertain about what you want to study at ECC. Did you know that over 60 percent of students attending community college are still deciding on their program of study? Choosing what you want to study is a big decision, talking with someone who is trained to help you discover your major/career direction can be helpful. We want to share with you a few resources that will be useful in helping you make your decision about a program of study at ECC or beyond. For many students, making this choice is difficult because they don't know what career they want after college or they have so many ideas but don't know what college major/program of study will get them there. Career development specialists in the Student Success Center can help you answer the following questions:
- How do I start the process of choosing a major?
- How do I know what majors match my interests, values, and personality characteristics?
- What can I do with the major I am considering?
To make an appointment with a career development specialist, call 847-214-7399 or stop by B120.
If you are still deciding at this point, we recommend that you follow the educational plan for the Associate in Arts degree for selecting courses your first semester. We suggest this option because it is our most flexible program of study. This plan is designed for eventual transfer to a 4-year college or university. However, after starting in this area, if you determine that it is not the best choice for you, then you can change it the next semester. It is always important to discuss your plans with your ECC academic advisor when you meet to create your educational plan.