Health Professions

Students collaborating in a health class

Industry-informed programs at the forefront of medical education.

Elgin Community College (ECC) is dedicated to providing a comprehensive educational foundation and hands-on clinical experience that equips you for success in the dynamic world of health care. Our programs have a track record of high job placement rates and success in certificate and licensing exams, showcasing the quality of education you'll receive here.

At ECC, we don't just meet the industry standards; we exceed them. By providing you with the highest standards in medical education, we are shaping the future of health care professionals who will lead, innovate, and significantly impact the local and regional community.

Standout Curriculum

Our programs are meticulously designed with input from industry experts through our advisory committees, ensuring that you receive the most up-to-date and relevant education. We stay at the forefront of medical advancements, integrating the latest research and best practices into your curriculum. Another hallmark of our excellence is our programs meet national accreditation standards, giving your credentials an extra competitive edge.

Degree Programs

Certificate Programs

Basic Nurse Assistant
Clinical Dental Assisting
Clinical Laboratory Assistant
Computed Tomography
Dental Office Aide
Group Fitness Professional
Histotechnology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Mammography
Massage Therapy
Medical Assisting
Personal Training
Phlebotomy
Pre-clinical Dental Assisting
Respiratory Care - Coming Spring 2025
Sterile Processing and Distribution

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

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

ECC Catalog

What are ECC’s facilities like?

At ECC, we take learning to a new level with our cutting-edge on-campus facilities and state-of-the-art laboratories. These dynamic spaces aren't your typical classrooms. They're immersive learning environments designed to make your educational journey truly hands-on and engaging. We have the latest technology and equipment, mirroring the modern health care landscape. Hands-on experience before graduation will help set you apart when applying for positions.

Register for a campus tour today!

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

In-Person Campus Tours

A caring community where you belong.

Two nursing students with manequin — Our dedication to maintaining top-notch standards shines through every facet of our programs and cutting-edge facilities in Elgin. Get ready for an educational experience that's as authentic as it gets, where you’ll learn from teachers who’ve worked in the field and care about your success. Use the link below to visit our nursing lab using our virtual tour.

Student getting blood drawn — Phlebotomists are trained healthcare professionals responsible for safely and accurately collecting blood samples from patients used for various diagnostic purposes. We use needles, collection tubes, and other materials) that are identical to those used in clinical environments, making you more prepared for your clinical. Students are expected to use their skills in the laboratory to aid in the diagnostic process by successfully obtaining adequate specimens. Use the link below to visit our on-campus lab using our virtual tour.

Student washing up in scrubs — Description: Elgin Community College offers hands-on Sterile Processing and Distribution (SPD) training, combining lab, classroom, and clinical experiences. The program covers essential skills like cleaning, assembly, packaging, tray building, and sterilization methods for surgical instruments. Students gain practical expertise, exemplified by the image of a student in proper SPD PPE manually cleaning surgical instruments in the lab's decontamination area. Use the link below to visit our sterile processing lab using our virtual tour.

Two students with an instructor in an Ophthalmic lab — Each health professions program at ECC boasts a dedicated campus lab space, such as our meticulously crafted ophthalmic lab. These spaces are thoughtfully designed to mirror the real healthcare environment associated with each profession, adding an exciting touch to the learning experience. Use the link below to visit our ophthalmic lab using our virtual tour.

Two students in a surgical tech lab — Explore surgical procedures firsthand at Elgin Community College's Operating Room lab. Our surgical technology training offers hands-on learning in the lab and clinical experience in a hospital's operating room. Gain practical expertise in sterile technique, infection control, perioperative pharmacology, and the role of a surgical technologist. Witness a mock laparoscopic procedure, navigating under dimmed lights with digital monitors displaying each step. Use the link below to visit our surgical technology lab using our virtual tour.

Student with manequin hooking up heart monitor — Discover the ins and outs of working in a medical office, where you'll learn about scheduling, keeping records, handling bills, and other important tasks to manage the office efficiently. Additionally, you'll receive first aid and CPR training, ensuring you're ready to respond in emergencies. This program covers everything from day-to-day office responsibilities to being well-prepared for unexpected situations. Use the link below to visit our medical assisting lab using our virtual tour.

Students in the Dental lab — ECC's facilities help you hone your skills and work with real patients under supervision in our dental clinic. You'll participate in chairside assistance simulations, learning how to assist dentists during dental procedures. This involves handling instruments, managing patient comfort, and maintaining a sterile environment. Use the link below to visit our dental assisting lab using our virtual tour.

Student with instructor giving massage. — You'll apply learned massage techniques to clients through supervised clinical practice sessions. This setting allows you to integrate theoretical knowledge into practical application while receiving instructor feedback. Use the link below to visit our massage clinic using our virtual tour.

Instructor talking with a group of students around a table — Complementing classroom instruction, hands-on sessions focus on applied anatomy and biomechanics. These activities involve examining musculoskeletal structures through models, charts, and practical demonstrations to enhance understanding.

Student looking at x-ray of lungs — Participate in hands-on activities focusing on image processing techniques and quality control. Learn to assess the quality of radiographic images and understand digital image processing steps. These practical exercises provide essential skills for ensuring accuracy in radiography. Use the link below to visit our radiography lab using our virtual tour.

Do you have partnerships with local hospitals and clinics?

ECC's partnerships with local experts offer networking, internships, and real-world experience, bridging the gap between the classroom and practice for seamless career transitions to finding a job in a hospital, a doctor’s office, or in the public sector. Our robust partnerships help you to undertake clinical rotations and hands-on learning experiences beyond the campus walls. Such interactions bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice, enabling you to witness firsthand the challenges and rewards of health professions.

ECC’s programs have received recognition from their respective accrediting agencies.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST)
Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (CODA)
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

ECC in the News

Accomplishment | Alumni Profile

Published 08/24/2022

ECC nursing graduate awarded national scholarship for nursing exam

Elgin Community College nursing graduate Michael Lacala is one of 15 Phi Theta Kappa members in the country to be awarded the Hurst Review National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) Scholarships to help cover the cost of the NCLEX exam fees and study materials. Lacala graduated this past spring from ECC’s nursing program.

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ECC Physical Therapist Assistant student Natalia Martinez

Academics | Accomplishment | Student Profile

Published 04/20/2023

ECC student Natalia Martinez earns IPTF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship

The Illinois Physical Therapy Foundation (IPTF) granted Elgin Community College physical therapist assistant program student Natalia Martinez the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Scholarship. The IPTF, along with the Illinois Physical Therapist Association (IPTA), provides the DEI scholarship to recognize the importance of promoting greater diversity within the physical therapy profession to better serve the residents of Illinois and its members.

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Elgin Community College Spring 2023 graduate Jordan Williams

Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/17/2023

Jordan Williams: My advice for future students is to never give up

My time at Elgin Community College has been quite the experience! I first enrolled in 2016 to start my journey to qualify for the nursing program.

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A respiratory care therapist treats a patient

Academics

Published 06/29/2023

New ECC program breathes life into the community

Elgin Community College’s newest health professions program, Respiratory Care, focuses on helping people breathe easier. Starting in the fall of 2024, the new program will train students as respiratory therapists and prepare them to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.

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Academics | Accomplishment | Alumni Profile

Published 07/12/2023

ECC student turns trials into triumph

Esmeralda Guerra’s life has revolved around helping others even when she had nothing. That’s how her passion to become a nurse was born.

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Academics | Accomplishment

Published 09/05/2023

Responding to local health care needs: Inaugural medical assisting class graduates

The first cohort of ECC’s new medical assisting program completed their final class in August 2023. Launched last year, the program is ECC’s response to local health care agencies who alerted the college to the increasing regional demand for these skilled health care professionals.

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Melia Delaney, student speaker for the Spring 2024 Career and Technical Programs Commencement Ceremony

Accomplishment | Commencement | Graduation Essays | Student Profile

Published 05/21/2024

Melia Delaney: It was ECC that helped me make that difference

Let's give another round of applause for our graduates here today! All that work and effort to bring each one of us here. It's the work of these 200-plus students that fills this space, with so many more watching online right now.

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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.

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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