McHenry County College

Earn your Advanced Automotive Technician Certificate as you expand on the skills you gained in your Automotive Maintenance Technician Certificate. Learn about automatic transmissions, stick shift transmissions, computers and sensors and advanced diagnostics. Gain real-world experience through your automotive internship while applying the courses from your Advanced Automotive Technician Certificate toward your Automotive Technology AAS.

Learn about the latest technology associated with framework, suspension types, steering systems, automotive drum and disc style braking systems and more as you earn your Automotive Chassis Certificate. Prepare for a career in the automotive field through your automotive internship while applying the courses from your Automotive Chassis Certificate toward your Automotive Maintenance Certificate or your Automotive Technology AAS.

Explore electrical principles and their applications in automobiles as you earn your Automotive Electrical Certificate. Gain real-world experience through your automotive internship while applying the courses from your Automotive Electrical Certificate toward your Automotive Maintenance Technician Certificate or your Automotive Technology AAS.

Many automotive repair facilities are experiencing a shortage of qualified entry-level technicians. Our Automotive Maintenance Technician Certificate program is designed to train you for these entry-level positions. By attending courses part-time, two days per week, you can complete the program in three semesters.

The Automotive Maintenance Technician Certificate allows you to complete a technical education program, join the workforce, and return to school later to complete your Advanced Automotive Technician Certificate or Automotive Technology AAS.

The Automotive Technology AAS will provide you with the knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to become an entry-level automotive repair technician.

All automotive classes are taught by ASE Master Certified Technicians. Each instructor has 20 to 30 years experience within the automotive industry.
Take classes full- or part-time, days or evenings, year round. Check the automotive courses for current offerings.

Apply the courses from your Advanced Automotive Maintenance Technician Certificate toward your Automotive Technology AAS. Your general education courses round out your technical knowledge and prepare you for employment in a range of fields from transportation refrigeration to construction equipment maintenance to education teaching automotive technology.

If you're interested in becoming a fleet manager, service writer or service manager, consider the Automotive Technology AAS, Management Option. Focus on relevant areas like team building, selling, marketing and accounting.

Earn a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for Class A vehicles and you'll be able to drive tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, livestock carriers and flatbeds.

MCC offers a 160-hour comprehensive hands-on CDL training program that prepares you to take the Secretary of State Class A test. You'll be trained on city, county and federal highways under real-world conditions. Practice behind the wheel with the same equipment used to take the Secretary of State Class A test.

You must be at least 18 years of age, be able to read and write the English language, and have a valid driver's license at the time of registration. Class size is limited.

McHenry County is one of the fastest-growing manufacturing sectors in the region, accounting for more than 25 percent of the county's earnings. There's high demand for skilled manufacturing technicians within McHenry County and across the country. Products manufactured here include medical/healthcare parts and equipment, cast iron products, industrial heaters, and heavy equipment parts. Many manufacturers use heavy-duty metal fabrication and forging. Manufacturing design and engineering technicians are an integral part of the product design process and development, and as companies increase their demand for more versatile workers, career opportunities will continue to grow in all areas of manufacturing technology.

MCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician Certificate Fast Track program incorporates computer aided design (CAD), manufacturing processes, blueprint reading for manufacturing and computer numerical control (CNC) machining. The courses in this Fast Track program are arranged in a sequence that provides optimal learning opportunities.

McHenry County is one of the fastest-growing manufacturing sectors in the region, accounting for more than 25 percent of the county's earnings. There's high demand for skilled manufacturing technicians within McHenry County and across the country. Products manufactured here include medical/healthcare parts and equipment, cast iron products, industrial heaters, and heavy equipment parts. Many manufacturers use heavy-duty metal fabrication and forging. Manufacturing design and engineering technicians are an integral part of the product design process and development, and as companies increase their demand for more versatile workers, career opportunities will continue to grow in all areas of manufacturing technology.

MCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician Certificate Fast Track program incorporates computer aided design (CAD), manufacturing processes, blueprint reading for manufacturing and computer numerical control (CNC) machining. The courses in this Fast Track program are arranged in a sequence that provides optimal learning opportunities.

CNC is used in metals, wood and plastics fabrication throughout McHenry County.

Earn your CNC Machining Certificate and learn skills that are directly applicable in the operation of computer-controlled machines performing one or more machine functions on metal or plastic work pieces. Become familiar with CNC programming using G codes and conversational programming.

The courses in this Fast Track program are arranged in a sequence that provides optimal learning opportunities. You're required to follow the integrated program sequence.

If you're interested in why a system is designed in a particular fashion and how it works, earning your Engineering Technology AAS will provide you the opportunity to acquire hands-on technical skills that will enable you to solve production and system implementation problems and help you explain solutions. Learn using state-of-the-art technology like mathematical computational software, computer-aided design (CAD) and simulation technology and help fill the growing need for college-educated problem solvers who can support the engineering process.

Are you a problem solver? Do you like working with your hands? Build on your knowledge and skills to earn your Industrial Maintenance Technician Certificate.

Maintenance technicians usually are multi-skilled individuals proficient in many tasks that allow them to assemble, install, troubleshoot, repair and modify machinery and automated systems. You might work with computer or electronically-controlled equipment in both manufacturing and facilities environments.

Every day is different as you identify problems and determine the best and safest means of resolving the issue. This certificate will give you a strong foundation and knowledge of a variety of pumps, motors and motor controls, mechanical drives, preventive/predictive maintenance, hydraulics, pneumatics and related safety concepts. People who are mechanically inclined, skilled at working with tools and have excellent hand-to-eye coordination often find the greatest success in this type of role.

All courses in this Fast Track program are arranged in a sequence that provides optimal learning opportunities. You're required to follow the integrated program sequence.

Your Robotic Systems Engineering AAS prepares you to maintain and repair industrial manufacturing automated and robotic machinery. You’ll explore the operation of industrial automation systems and use industry-standard software tools to diagnose, repair, and apply preventative maintenance fundamentals to keep these machines in operation. You’ll also develop new skills through hands-on projects in electronics, robotics, hydraulics, pneumatics and programmable logic controllers.

The Advanced Welding Technician Certificate is designed for specific advanced careers in production welding. Complete the Welding Technician Certificate and then choose from applicable welding courses in advanced stick and TIG. The Advanced Welding Technician Certificate allows you to become eligible for specialized welding certifications through the American Welding Society (AWS).

McHenry County is one of the fastest-growing manufacturing sectors in the region, and many of these manufacturers use heavy-duty metal fabrication and forging. Workers with welding skills are highly sought in the manufacturing sector and work in a variety of occupations such as welders, machinery repair, and sheet metal workers.

MCC’s Welding Technician Certificate will prepare you for an entry-level position in welding. With a Welding Technician Certificate, you'll become knowledgeable in welding safety and practice the major welding processes such as stick, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG). You'll also learn to perform out-of-position and multi-pass steel and aluminum material arc welding including Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Flux-Core Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). The certificate will prepare you to pass welder qualification tests and meets the American Welding Society (AWS) and Schools Excelling through National Skill Standards Education (SENSE) training standards for certification as an AWS Level 1 - Entry Welder.

You like computers, technology and design. You enjoy problem solving and working on teams. Have you considered a career in Computer Aided Design (CAD)?

The Architectural and Engineering Design Technology Certificate, with specialization in either or both architectural and engineering technology, represents a collective approach to developing or upgrading the necessary visualization, graphical communication and organization skills required of this ever evolving field. CAD technicians with the requisite technical knowledge, visual talent and organizational skills can expect to find work in such diverse fields as mechanical/architectural design, civil engineering, surveying, commercial art and interior design. This certificate program serves students seeking to enter the drafting and design field as well as those looking to develop their skills and advance in their career.

Android and iOS mobile platforms make up 96 percent of the smartphone operating system market, so understanding the fundamentals of programming in the Android Studio development environment is essential to most mobile application developers. Explore core Java concepts and language fundamentals as they apply to Android application development plus learn debugging, version control, and object-oriented programming while earning your Android Development Certificate.

Apple mobile devices are changing the way we access the internet, do business, and communicate. Tap into this amazingly potential by earning a iOS Development Certificate as you learn to program using Apple's new Swift language to design iOS (the operating system of iPhone, iPod and iPad devices) or Mac OS applications.

Can't live without your smart phone? Have an idea for an app to make your life easier? Earn your AAS in Mobile Design and Development and learn to design and develop mobile applications! We provide a comprehensive education for students with no experience, as well as an excellent opportunity for people changing careers or looking to take individual courses to stay current in their existing jobs.

Today's application development includes so much more than games. Businesses of all types are clamoring for ways to engage with their mobile customers. There are many high-paying, in-demand jobs for mobile application developers, but employers expect to see formal education on applicants’ resumes. Start by earning a certificate in Android Development, IOS Development, or Programming Fundamentals and apply those credits toward your AAS in Mobile Design and Development.

Once you've learned design theory and have experience in programming for multiple mobile platforms, consider rounding out your skillset with our Web Design and Development AAS program.

If you're interested in programming and you intend to transfer for a four-year degree, earn your Programming Fundamentals Certificate while you're at MCC. Learn basic programming, web development, and database skills and still have flexibility in choosing electives based upon what the four-year school you're transferring to will accept.

HTML 5, CSS 3, JavaScript, responsive web design, writing for the web - just a few of the topics web developers are expected to master today. We've listened to today's employers identify the skill sets they're looking for and in response, we've crafted a well-rounded program consisting of related certificates in Web Development and Web Marketing that build toward our Web Design and Development AAS.

This program is geared toward students with no experience, but it’s also an excellent opportunity for those changing careers or if you want to take individual classes to stay current in your existing job.

Build upon your Fundamentals of Design certificate by continuing to develop your knowledge in the field of web-based design as you earn your Web Design Certificate.

Code and design websites to web standards using current tool sets.
Develop the skill to hand-code and use content management systems.
Learn effective design techniques for multiple platforms and how to incorporate multimedia into your designs.

Learn JavaScript, PHP, C# and .NET at MCC and step into your new web development career! The Web Development Certificate covers hard coding and prepares you to program database-driven web sites. Start by taking two courses during the summer and you can earn your certificate in one calendar year.

The Cyber Security Certificate provides computer security skills to apply in your current computer administrator position. The credits from your Cyber Security Certificate can be applied toward earning your Network Security AAS or Help Desk Technician AAS.

The Geek Technology Certificate prepares you for a position at computer troubleshooting/repair shops like Best Buy’s Geek Squad™.

Build on the skills and knowledge you gained in the PC Support Specialist program as you earn your Help Desk Certificate. The Help Desk Certificate prepares you for an entry-level position at a company's help desk where you'll perform question/problem diagnosis and guide users through step-by-step solutions in a call center environment.

Your Help Desk Technician AAS prepares you for entry-level positions in the computer field, including programming and help desk positions.

In addition to a core of computer information system courses at MCC, you'll complete general education and business requirements, developing a well-rounded skill set – skills that today's employers are looking for in computer programmers and support people:

A logical thought process
Attention to detail
The ability to communicate without using technical terms
The ability to work in small groups
The ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
Good communication skills, dependability, reliability and willingness to work as part of a team

The PC Support Specialist Certificate prepares you for an entry level position at a company help desk answering phones, helping computer end users with questions and problems.

After receiving this entry-level PC Support Specialist Certificate, many students go on to complete the Help Desk Certificate while looking for a position, or after realizing they would like to pursue the Help Desk Technician AAS degree.

Your Network Security AAS prepares you for a career in a variety of IT networking positions as you:

gain a comprehensive understanding of networking protocols and security concepts
develop key skills in such areas as service setup and maintenance, workstations, hardware, and ethics
pick up skills that today's employer is looking for: good communication skills, dependability, and the ability to work as part of a team
There are very few industries today that do not use computer networking or that do not need network security specialists as part of their IT staff, which makes the job outlook in this field excellent.

The Networking Specialist Certificate provides computer networking skills to apply in your current computer administrator position.

Build upon your Fundamentals of Design certificate by continuing to develop your knowledge in the field of web-based design as you earn your Web Design Certificate.

Code and design websites to web standards using current tool sets.
Develop the skill to hand-code and use content management systems.
Learn effective design techniques for multiple platforms and how to incorporate multimedia into your designs.

This seven-credit hour course is designed to prepare nursing assistants to work under the direction of the licensed professional nurse to provide care in various health care settings. Coursework includes development of basic nursing skills through lectures, laboratory demonstration and practice, and 48 hours of clinical experience. The Illinois Department of Public Health has approved the course for a total of 136 hours of instruction.

After you successfully complete the Basic Nursing Assistant Program, you are eligible to take the written State Nursing Aide Competency Exam. When you pass the Nurse Aide Competency Exam, your name is added to the Healthcare Worker Registry, and you can be employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Prepare to become a Certified EKG Technician (CET)! Study basic to advanced concepts in ECG (also referred to as EKG in the medical community). Learn basic cardiac anatomy and physiology, proper lead placement for 5- and 12-lead, technical aspects of an ECG machine and how to calculate heart rate, how to interpret a rhythm strip, and several advanced concepts working with the 12-lead ECG machines. You’ll learn how to prep a patient for ECG monitoring and troubleshoot ECG artifact.

This course is designed for those who have completed CNA, EMT, CPR, or other medically-related coursework. This training, along with your previous certification, allows you to assist the physician diagnosing myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart rhythm irregularities. ECG machines are used in physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities.

Health Information Management is a unique profession that combines facets of medicine, data management, and information technology, in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and security of patient data. HIM professionals work in a variety of settings throughout the healthcare industry, including hospitals, physician offices and clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, government agencies, and home care providers.

The Medical Administration Certificate is tailored for those who wish to pursue a career in a medical area, such as medical transcription, medical secretary or medical office assistant.

MCC's Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program focuses on the medical terminology, coding, and reimbursement procedures you need to know to code medical bills submitted to insurance companies, managed care plans and Medicare.

Review what you learned in your prerequisite courses (Certified Nursing Assistant, Electrocardiogram Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician) and train to work under the supervision of a practice/operations manager to perform the following: schedule appointments, patient intake and care, routine diagnostic and recording procedures, maintain medical records, prepare patients for examination, drawing blood, medicine administration, first aid, and record vital signs and medical histories.

Put your compassionate nature and great interpersonal skills to work in a career that is dynamic and creative as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). As an OTA you may help patients develop or recover the skills they need to perform everyday tasks as you:

Administer treatment after injuries
Provide ongoing rehabilitation
Work in geriatrics
Work in pediatrics
Encourage independence
The Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program is designed to prepare you to function as a professional OTA in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes and school settings under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR).

Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. As an NHA-Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), you can work in a variety of healthcare settings and perform critical work in the healthcare field. The job outlook through 2024 shows 25% growth, much faster than average.

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work directly with patients under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Through our degree program, you’ll learn how and why difficulties in movement occur, how to help patients improve mobility and relieve pain, and how to prevent or limit physical disability through the use of therapeutic techniques.

The Physical Therapist Assistant AAS program is designed to prepare you to function as an entry-level PTA in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, private practices, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, school systems, home health agencies, sports and fitness facilities, work settings or skilled nursing facilities. As a PTA, you'll be helping physical therapists in their daily activities and assisting patients during rehabilitation.

Veterinary assistants have been identified by the U.S. Department of Labor as one of the fastest growing professions! Vet assistants work with veterinarians in private practice, animal shelters, animal control facilities, pet stores, kennels and veterinary drug companies. Working with veterinarians and veterinarian technicians, they help to provide medical care to sick and injured animals.

The Chefs Assistant I Certificate builds a strong foundation that allows you to further specialize as you progress in your career in the culinary industry. You'll study sustainable food preparation, handling, sanitation and safety, as well as business and management principles. This course of study gives you the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for entry-level positions, including (but not limited to): line cook, line lead cook, commis, chef assistant, prep cook, soup or sauce cook, and similar positions in institutional food service, small to large hospitality operations, cruise ships and more.

The Culinary Management (CLM) program at MCC introduces you to the range of opportunities found in the hospitality field. We prepare you with the necessary skills for starting positions within various settings of the food service industry. Coursework includes introduction to hospitality and safety and sanitation, as well as skills classes in both culinary skills and in baking and pastry. Courses are designed to meet industry standards.

The purpose of the CLM program is to increase the number of individuals trained in specialized food handling and preparation skills to fill a growing number of entry-level positions in the regional food service industry.

MCC’s Criminal Justice AAS helps you develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary for employment and advancement as a law enforcement officer. The degree also serves as a foundation for associated professions that require advanced study, such as probation, parole, corrections and social services.

MCC’s Criminal Justice AAS helps you develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary for employment and advancement as a law enforcement officer. The degree also serves as a foundation for associated professions that require advanced study, such as probation, parole, corrections and social services.

There continues to be demand for early childhood teachers. New childcare centers are opening within McHenry County and there are available positions. MCC's Early Childhood Education AAS program helps prepare you for work in a variety of roles and settings: preschool, center-based care, family home child care, professional nanny, day camp and before/after school care. Typical duties might include:

Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate lessons and activities
Providing a safe, nurturing environment for young children
Acting as a resource for parents and families

The Early Childhood Level II Certificate may be appropriate for you if you already have a degree but wish to become preschool/child care teacher qualified, or you have a year of experience in the field and some college but wish to take specialized early childhood education courses to become teacher qualified. This certificate also benefits you if you have a CDA Credential™ and still need 12 credits to satisfy DCFS licensing qualifications to be a director.

The Early Childhood Level III Certificate is appropriate for you if you have experience in the field or you have some college and wish to become teacher- or director-qualified through specialized early childhood education courses. You'll be required to complete a practicum in the MCC Children's Learning Center or in an accredited/approved child care center.

The Emergency Medical Technician - Ambulance Certificate provides you with seven college credit hours and a certificate from the Illinois Department of Public Health to practice in the state of Illinois. Most firefighters in the state are certified as EMT-B. You may also use the EMT-B certificate as a technician in a clinical setting such as a hospital emergency room or to work on a private ambulance where you may perform pre-hospital emergency medical care such as:

bandaging
CPR
administering medications
patient assessment and treatment
Working as an EMS provider requires significant physical strength, dexterity, and the ability to function in very adverse environments with exposure to numerous safety risks typically found at emergency scenes.

The Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic Certificate includes three paramedic modules and one internship semester. You will receive 17 hours of college credit and a certificate from the Illinois Department of Public Health to practice in the state of Illinois as a licensed paramedic. This training is considered advanced emergency care and can be a stand-alone profession or can be linked to a fire service career. Non-fire students can work as a technician in a hospital or clinic with this certificate.

Working as an EMS provider requires significant physical strength, dexterity, and the ability to function in very adverse environments with exposure to numerous safety risks typically found at emergency scenes.

In cooperation with Centegra Hospital McHenry and the McHenry Western Lake County EMS System, MCC provides specialized emergency medical technician courses for those interested in becoming professionally-trained emergency medical personnel. Earn your Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic AAS and learn to stabilize accident victims and others in medical crisis at the scene - prior to transport to a health care facility.

Fire service personnel perform the critical work of saving lives and protecting property. This work can be exciting and rewarding, but it is carried out in difficult and often life-threatening conditions and requires highly trained, physically fit professionals. It also requires an increasing level of technical knowledge, including principles of building construction and design, chemicals and codes and modern methods of extinguishing a fire.

The Firefighter Basic Certificate prepares individuals who are affiliated with a fire department to sit for the Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) Firefighter II Exam. Earn your certificate as you focus on the knowledge and skills required for fire suppression activities.

The Legal Administration Certificate is tailored for those who wish to pursue a career in a legal area, such as legal transcription, legal secretary or legal office assistant.

If you already have a degree, you can earn your Paralegal Certificate in as little as 18 months! This program is ideal for those looking to change careers. As long as you have 18 credit hours of general education coursework, your associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree, regardless of the subject, need only be supplemented by the paralegal core program classes.

If you have strong research, writing, and organizational skills or are interested in going into the legal field and possibly becoming a lawyer, becoming a paralegal is a great career choice! Paralegals work under the direction of a lawyer making decisions that call for understanding basic legal concepts, managing information, and preparing documents in specialized areas of the law. Typical job duties of a paralegal include:

Interviewing clients and potential witnesses
Preparing trial evidence
Maintaining case files
Summarizing depositions
Researching legal issues
Writing briefs, interoffice memos, contracts, interrogatories, and letters

Do you have strong research, writing, and organizational skills? Are you interested in going into the legal field and possibly becoming a lawyer? A paralegal career is a great way to start! Paralegals work under the direction of a lawyer making decisions that call for understanding basic legal concepts, managing information, and preparing documents in specialized areas of the law. Typical job duties of a paralegal include:

Interviewing clients and potential witnesses
Preparing trial evidence
Maintaining case files
Summarizing depositions
Researching legal issues
Writing briefs, interoffice memos, contracts, interrogatories, and letters

Your Fundamentals of Design Certificate is the first step towards a certificate in Graphic Design or Web Design, and the degree in Graphic Arts. Many students continue on for one of the higher certificates and/or the degree.

Prepare for work in the graphics field in either print or web media at MCC. Your graphic arts classes will cover not only the basics needed for a strong foundation, but as you progress, you'll be able to complete projects tailored to your unique skills and interests, collaborate with other students and faculty, and work on a professional portfolio to help with your job search. The Graphic Arts AAS program is designed so you can complete your Fundamentals of Design, Web Design and/or a Graphic Design certificate as you work toward your degree.

MCC offers a Graphic Design Certificate, a Graphic Arts AAS and two other certificates in Graphic Arts. Complete your Fundamentals of Design certificate and/or a Web Design certificate as you work toward your Associate of Applied Science degree.

Real Estate Broker Pre-License Interactive covers role play, case study examples, demonstration examples, and “what if” situational examples in such areas as listing presentation, agreement and disclosure, writing purchase agreements, market analysis, seller net sheets, confronting fair housing violations/seller or buyer, distressed property issues, antitrust scenarios, and inspection/repair issues. This course satisfies 15 hours of the 90 hours of interactive/situational training required by the IDFPR to become a Real Estate Broker. Successful completion of this course and the Broker Pre-License Topics class, URE U19, qualifies you to sit for the Illinois Real Estate Broker Examination.

Real Estate Sales Broker Pre-License Topics covers the broad field of real estate with an emphasis on license law, real property, agency structure, buyer and seller relationships and counseling. We’ll explore Illinois law, federal law, marketing and advertising, market analysis and appraisal, financing, and contract knowledge, independent contractor/employee agreements and occupational disciplines. This blended–home study course satisfies 75 hours of the 90 hours of instruction required by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to become a Real Estate Broker. This course will almost always be held concurrently or consecutively with Real Estate Broker Pre-License Interactive course, URE U20, and you must be enrolled in URE U20 also. Successful completion of both classes qualifies you to sit for the Illinois Real Estate Broker Examination.