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Education and Liberal Arts

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Embark on a transformative academic journey.

Elgin Community College (ECC) programs for teaching and exploring liberal arts open doors to diverse subjects in an intimate classroom setting. With smaller class sizes, our faculty are deeply committed to guiding students through their academic endeavors. Spanning humanities, social sciences, and education, our comprehensive course offerings provide the perfect platform for fulfilling general education requirements while fostering multidisciplinary exploration.

Engage with dedicated professors who inspire profound connections with course material and foster dynamic interactions in every class session. Through vibrant discussions and constructive feedback, students are empowered to think critically and uncover meaningful connections across various disciplines. This emphasis on active participation nurtures an environment where intellectual curiosity flourishes.

Plenty of Course Options

Our course catalog explores subjects that spark your curiosity, shaping a personalized educational journey aligned with your interests and goals. Whether you aspire to pursue a bachelor's degree in teaching or explore roles as a teaching aide, our holistic educational experience prepares you for success in your chosen path.

General Education Electives

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

Please refer to the ECC catalog for program details and course descriptions.

ECC Catalog

What are your journalism classes like?

Embark on an immersive journey in our journalism class, where you'll delve into hands-on experiences within a student newsroom mirroring professional environments. From crafting narratives through text, photographs, audio, and video to exploring stories translated into Spanish, you'll refine your skills under the guidance of a seasoned former journalist. Our supportive yet stimulating atmosphere ensures practical learning, empowering you to excel in the dynamic media world. Join us at the Observer, where you'll cultivate your craft in a student newsroom that mirrors the professional realm.

Joining a forensics or debate team opens doors to a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for intellectual discourse and rigorous academic inquiry. By regularly engaging in public speaking and competitive debate, participants overcome fears of speaking in front of an audience, develop resilience in the face of challenges, and gain confidence in their abilities to articulate their viewpoints persuasively.

Engage with Write Place tutors for comprehensive assistance in all stages of school-related writing, from brainstorming to final editing. Whether tackling research papers, essays, reports, or scholarship and college admission applications, our tutors are equipped to provide expert guidance. Additionally, they offer support in enhancing reading skills for a well-rounded academic experience.

Investing in English tutoring with our team is an investment in language proficiency. Our structured and personalized approach to language learning improves communication skills and fosters academic success. With Write Place tutors, elevate your writing and language abilities to excel academically.

Planning to Transfer for a Bachelor’s Degree?

Learn more about earning a Bachelor’s degree, earning summer credits for transfer, or dual admissions with a university by making an appointment with an academic advisor.

Do you have partnerships with local arts organizations?

We participate in the Skyway collegiate conference, where students can participate in juried and exhibited festivals. We also participate in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference, where creative writers take center stage, submitting works in poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, and drama. You’ll participate in open mic sessions, readings, and workshop events. 

What are ECC’s facilities like?

If you’re interested in writing, ECC offers many co-curricular programs that bring working writers to Campus through the ECC Writers Center and Coffee House, where you’ll share original work for discussion and feedback. ECC students publish Spire, our literary and visual arts magazine, each spring. You can submit works in poetry and prose for publishing. Our Humanities Center hosts Socratic debates about current events, modern discussion groups, film clubs, and pizza parties that inspire connections with other students.

Register for a campus tour today!

Tour our beautiful campus and explore programs, student resources, and academic spaces. Tours are available every other Wednesday at 4 pm and are led by a friendly student ambassador or admissions staff member.

In-Person Campus Tours

ECC in the News

ECC Professor of History and Political Science Antonio Ramirez
Accomplishment | Faculty Profile
Published 03/18/2021

ECC Professor Receives Inaugural Elevating Equity Grant

Antonio Ramirez, assistant professor of history and political science at Elgin Community College, was awarded an inaugural Elevating Equity Grant from the Grand Victoria Foundation for his Chicagolandia: Oral Histories of Chicago's Latinx Suburbs project.

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Photo credit: Northern Illinois University. All 15 students of the first cohort of the
Accomplishment | Commencement
Published 05/13/2021

ECC and NIU celebrate first Elementary Education Transfer Pathway graduating class

Elgin Community College and Northern Illinois University hosted a recognition event on May 7 on ECC’s campus to celebrate the first cohort of 15 students who completed the ECC-to-NIU College of Education transfer pathway degree.

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Members of the ECC student newspaper, The Observer
Academics | Accomplishment
Published 03/20/2023

ECC student journalists win national honor

The Elgin Community College student newspaper, the Observer, won first place for its digital newsletter, two-year school category, at the 2023 ACP Spring College National Media Conference in San Francisco.

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ECC forensics team members Aleah Janae, Hannah Carpenter, and Damian Hacz
Accomplishment | Events
Published 04/26/2023

ECC forensics team wins big at Phi Rho Pi National tournament

The Elgin Community College Forensics Team showed the nation what they could do during the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Bethesda, Maryland. Phi Rho Pi Nationals is the final tournament of their competitive season, with over 50 schools competing.

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ECC Student Gabe Bueno performs at
Academics
Published 06/27/2023

In Their Own Words: Students share life experiences through stories

Brian Bohr is reinventing the classroom experience to embrace and enhance what students can bring to storytelling. In his communications course, Oral Interpretation of Literature, students take stories that are not traditionally performative and bring them to life from their personal perspectives through different mediums, including poetry, personal narratives, and digital storytelling.

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The Center for Civic Engagement presents a Women in Politics panel on September 19.
Events
Published 09/06/2023

ECC’s Center for Civic Engagement welcomes elected officials for Women in Politics event

Elgin Community College's new Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) mission is to foster engaged civic leaders on campus and create a culture of civic engagement in the community. The center is hosting its first Women in Politics event on Tuesday, September 19, at ECC’s Spartan Drive campus.

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Elgin Community College across Lake Spartan.
Accomplishment | Student Profile
Published 05/01/2024

4 Elgin Community College Students Inducted into Golden Apple Program

Four Elgin Community College (ECC) students have been inducted into the Golden Apple Scholars program in Illinois and will receive up to $23,000 in scholarships. Students Trista Skelnik, Jozephine Carlson, Dulce Rivera, and Valeria Hernandez received official invitations in April.

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Take an Interactive Tour

Imagine yourself at Elgin Community College from wherever you are. View the classes and spaces you’ll walk in as a student. No matter where you are in your college search, we can help.

Launch the Tour

Contact

Admissions & Recruitment

Building B, Room B110
847-214-7385
Fax: 847-608-5458
admissions@elgin.edu

Live Chat

Hours
Monday through Thursday: 8 am to 7 pm
Fridays: 8 am to 4 pm

*Bilingual Admissions Coordinator: 847-214-7689