Planning to transfer to a four-year school? Oakton's associate degrees with pre-majors set you up with courses that will be the foundation for your future bachelor's degree.
Do you want to get training and start a career? We offer many Associate of Applied Science degrees that provide you the tools you need to enter the field as soon as you graduate.
Looking to gain specific skills quickly? Our certificate programs offer short-term training in diverse fields. Or, you can explore our continuing education non-credit programs.
Certificate, Online
Certificate, Online
This comprehensive certificate encompasses skills in the following areas: communications, accounting, math, computer applications, management, marketing and human relations. Graduates will be qualified for entry-level business positions.
Employment in business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations, adding about 715,100 new jobs.
Location(s): Online, Skokie Campus, Des Plaines Campus, Evanston
Associate Degree, Online
Oakton's Accounting curriculum is designed to prepare you for employment in an accounting position upon completing the degree or certificates. In the Accounting program, you'll learn about various aspects of accounting and become familiar with the most commonly used accounting technology.
The employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow six percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics
This is a comprehensive program that encompasses financial accounting, accounting technology, managerial accounting, taxation, and business ethics. Graduates will be eligible for a variety of accounting jobs, including staff accounting, accounts payable, general ledger, payroll, or income tax preparation.
Location(s): Online, Skokie Campus, Des Plaines Campus
Certificate, Online
This certificate provides extensive practice in general accounting procedures, including training in Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks and cloud accounting systems. Graduates will be qualified for jobs in accounts payable, credit and collections, general ledger, payroll or other staff accounting positions.
This program prepares students for positions as administrative assistants. Graduates gain strong skills in computer applications, written communications, and office procedures.
This certificate is a 36 credit hour program in which you'll gain skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint along with classes that focus on the Principles of Management and Financial Accounting.
The Emeritus Program offers a variety of courses geared toward the needs of "the student that wasn't born yesterday", including intellectually engaging experiences with expert speakers and lecturers for the 55+ student.
This certificate is intended for students who are interested in expanding their knowledge and skills beyond CNC machine operation, setup, and programming. Students will acquire essential skills for a professional CNC programmer, such as industrial design and CAD. Additionally, students will learn about industrial robotics and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), which are integral parts of modern CNC operations.
The Advanced Infant Toddler Certificate is a 30 credit hour course and completion of this certificate can lead to obtaining the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Early Care and Education Credential Level 3.
Our 36-credit hour Advanced Family Child Care Provider Certificate can help lead you to obtaining the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Family Child Care Provider Credential Level 3.
You can earn your Advanced Infant Toddler Certificate in 36 credit hours, which can lead to obtaining the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Infant Toddler Credential Level 3.
The Advanced Web Site Developer Certificate is a 41 credit hour program in which you will learn Advanced Web Page Development (CIS 171), Web Database Management (CIS 248) and more.
Location(s): Online, Skokie Campus, Des Plaines Campus
Associate Degree
Oakton's Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology program helps you develop the skills and knowledge to work in this important field. You will learn to evaluate the performance of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, to assess energy consumption, to apply principles and methods of energy conservation and more.
Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, slower than the average for all occupations.
Learn to use the basic tools and techniques of animation and multimedia, including software and special hardware and create a portfolio of animation/multimedia projects to demonstrate the acquisition of the necessary skills with our Animation and Multimedia Certificate.
Location(s): Online, Skokie Campus, Des Plaines Campus
Associate Degree
At Oakton, we offer an associate in arts (A.A.) degree with a pre-major in anthropology. This curriculum is designed for students who are interested in studying this field and are considering completing a bachelor's degree in anthropology after transferring to a four-year college or university.
Anthropologists and archeologists need a master’s degree or Ph.D. in anthropology or archeology. The median annual wage for anthropologists and archeologists was $61,910 in May 2021.
Location(s): Online, Skokie Campus, Des Plaines Campus
Associate Degree
Learn about the pillars of art history and receive instruction in various applied art skills such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, digital design and more. Students who complete the program will develop a personal portfolio that is ready for art school and/or your next step as an artist.
The world always needs artists, and with technical skills and creative know-how under your belt after studying at Oakton, you can apply your fine arts education to many careers. Fine arts graduates become teachers, advertisers, designers, business owners and more.
The Automation ProgrammingCertificate consists of 15 credit hours. The job of Programmable Controllers (PLC/PAC) Technician is to design, program, calibrate, monitor, troubleshoot, and repair automation systems ranging from simple traffic lights to complex industrial automation systems.
This certificate prepares students for careers in Supply Chain Management (SCM). Possible jobs positions would be in technical support and overseeing of the flow of goods and services. It includes the movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.
This certificate exposes students to the principles and theory of automotive electrical systems and provides opportunities for students to demonstrate the detailed operation and services of batteries, starters, and alternators. Emphasis is placed on Ohm’s Law, diagnosis/repair of electrical systems and different types of communication networks. This certificate is for students seeking entry-level careers in automotive technology or for individuals seeking to learn additional automotive systems to advance their skills and career. This certificate can be completed in one semester.
This certificate exposes students to the principles and theory of automotive engines and provides opportunities for students to demonstrate the detailed operation and servicing of engine components. Emphasis is placed on measurement of engine components, disassembly and assembly of the cylinder head and the engine block. This certificate is for students seeking entry-level careers in automotive technology or for individuals seeking to learn additional automotive systems to advance their skills and career. This certificate can be completed in one semester.
Location(s): Online, Skokie Campus, Des Plaines Campus
Associate Degree, Certificate
If you're interested in cars and want to build a career around working with them, Oakton's Automotive Technology program is for you. It offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) as well as the Automotive Technology and Automotive Technology Powertrain certificates
Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is projected to show little or no change from 2021 to 2031. Despite limited employment growth, about 73,300 openings for automotive service technicians and mechanics are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Our Basic Early Childhood Education Certificate can be earned in 18 credit hours and completion of this certificate can lead to obtaining the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Early Care and Education Credential Level 2.
Completion of our Basic Family Child Care Provider Certificatecan lead to obtaining the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Family Child Care Provider Credential Level 2.
The Basic Infant Toddler Certificate is a 21 credit hour program and upon completion of this certificate can lead to obtaining the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Infant Toddler Credential Level 2.
Location(s): Online, Skokie Campus, Des Plaines Campus
Certificate
There is an increasing demand for health professionals, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Oakton wants to prepare you for this exciting and incredibly important career in public health with a valuable professional certification.
Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
This certificate program is designed to prepare your for entry into the fire service. This program will give you a good look at what the fire service is all about and an in-depth understanding of basic fire fighting fundamentals and principles.
As a biology major at Oakton, you're also choosing to get your start in biology with a close-knit and attentive faculty with decades of professional experience. Technologically advanced laboratories at both the Des Plaines and Skokie campuses further enrich the learning experience at Oakton.
Whether you’re preparing for a new career or expanding your skill set to advance in your current profession, Oakton’s Business and Careers programs can help you gain a competitive edge. Our training programs offer short-term, flexible options with instruction from highly qualified professionals and partners.
The CAD Interior Design Certificate consists of 8 credit hours. It prepares you for CAD drafting positions tailored to Interior Design using AutoCAD for 2D and 3D design and drafting. You'll learn to create floorplans and elevation drawings using AutoCAD and create 3D computer models of interior floorplans. Possible job positions include CAD draftsperson and interior detail draftsperson.
Oakton College's Cancer Registry Management Program is designed to prepare you for a career in this data collection, management and research. We are the first community college in Illinois to offer credentials in this specialized area and can prepare you for a career that can have a real impact.
This certificate prepares students for entry-level employment in cannabis cultivation and craftgrow centers and to apply state laws and regulations to cultivate cannabis. Students will apply knowledge and skills regarding cannabis plant morphology and physiology as well as cultivation center operations to the cultivation of cannabis.
Location(s): Online, Skokie Campus, Des Plaines Campus
Certificate, Online
This certificate program is the first college-credit career certificate for the fast-growing medical cannabis industry to be offered by a community college. The program provides training for entry-level employment in the medical cannabis health field, as well as continued professional development and training for current dispensary professionals who require continuing education.
Gain the skills you need to break into the legal cannabis industry in Illinois. With programs in cultivation, transportation, logistics and supply chain management, and dispensary operations, you can gain comprehensive training from seed to sale.
You can complete all three certificates at one time, or stack them over time as you explore your interests in this growing industry.
Location(s): Online, Skokie Campus, Des Plaines Campus
Certificate, Online
In this program, you will receive a solid foundation in the basics of working with cannabis. You will explore cannabis law, cannabis dispensary operations and cannabis cultivation, as well as supply chain management, security guard training and logistics.
The program will prepare transporters to apply state laws and regulations to securely transport and track cannabis.
Location(s): Des Plaines Campus, Evanston Center, Skokie Campus
Associate Degree
As a cardiac sonographer, you will play a vital role in the pulse of patients’ lives. You will specialize on the heart organ and use imaging to spot issues in blood flow, valve function, or heart chambers.
Cardiac Sonography (also known as Echocardiography) is ideal for those seeking a 9-5 job in a hospital or physician’s office setting. The industry is growing fast, with a median salary of $78,210 in Illinois (Bureau of Labor Statistics).