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Learn More about Heartland Community College
Founded in 1991, Heartland Community College is a two-year, fully accredited institution of higher education with campuses located in Normal, Pontiac, and Lincoln, Illinois. Heartland's main campus in Normal, which opened for classes in 2000, is located halfway between Chicago and St. Louis.
In this section, we invite you to learn more about who we are and those we serve. Take a virtual tour of the campus. As you learn about the services and opportunities Heartland Community College offers, we hope you will find the information and knowledge you seek.
What is a Community College?
Heartland Community College (HCC) is a community college. Community colleges are two-year educational institutions that prepare students to continue their education at four-year universities or succeed in the workforce. Community colleges strive to meet the needs of many students at various stages of their educational goals.
HCC offers:
- English as a Second Language program to build skills in the English language.
- Adult basic education to assist students who did not complete a high school degree.
- Developmental instruction for those testing below college level skills.
- Instruction in 60 career/technical fields.
- First two years of a baccalaureate education, which transfers to many public and private colleges and universities.
Advantages of a Community College
Community colleges pride themselves on offering a wider array of convenient, economical classes. Classes are normally limited to no more than 30 students, which provides more opportunity for contact with instructors.
Many students choose to attend a community college to complete an associate's degree. Students can then transfer to a public or private university or college. Academic Advisors assist students in course choices to fit selected majors or meet transfer needs of universities and other institutions.
About Heartland Community College
HCC Campus Map
Heartland Community College (HCC) is the newest community college in the state of Illinois. The first classes were offered in 1991. HCC has grown to an enrollment of approximately 5,000 students enrolled in credit courses. Heartland has sites in Normal, Bloomington, Pontiac, and Lincoln, Illinois. In August 2000 HCC opened a new main campus in Normal.
HCC's main campus is located on the edge of town, accessible by a public bus route. The campus is divided into three connected buildings and one new unattached building. A bookstore, childcare center, cafeteria, and Academic Support Center are available. Between 2008 and 2011, the campus will be expanding rapidly with six new buildings, and expansion of current building and athletic fields. A student center, fitness center, classroom building, auditorium/business center, child care facility and maintenance building will allow for development of programs and services for students and community members.
The Academic Support Center includes a library, computer lab ,tutoring center, and testing center. All services are available to students and community members free of charge. The library provides access to many online databases, print resources as well as periodicals and newspapers. Students may use the computer lab to write papers, conduct Internet research or correspond through e-mail.
Students in need of extra help in their classes are able to utilize the tutoring center. Students who have done well in particular classes are available to aid other students needing more assistance. A tutor could help proofread a paper, go through a math formula, or offer tips on how to effectively read textbooks. Tutor assistance is available at regularly scheduled times or by appointment.
Technology is interwoven within the HCC curriculum. Many classrooms have a computer as well as a discussion area. Some classes are online which means the entire class is taught over the Internet. Correspondence with the instructor is through assignments, computer programs, and e-mail. HCC also offers hybrid courses, which mix classroom time with Internet work. A class that normally meets three times a week may instead meet twice with the expectation the other class session is spent completing computer assignments. Instructors often assign projects involving use of different software particular to the discipline or assignment. Another learning format HCC has available is Interactive Television (ITV). ITV is a television system that connects students in different cities for the same class/instructor session.
With small class sizes, faculty and support staff can offer personal attention. This makes Heartland Community College an excellent place to begin your studies in the United States to reach your academic goals.
The Calendar Year
HCC has a fall and spring semester, typically lasting 16 weeks. Fall semester classes begin mid-August and end mid-December. The spring semester classes begin in mid-January and end in early or mid-May. Summer sessions are also available.
Students normally have a break of three to four weeks in between fall and spring semester. During spring semester, there is "spring break," a week without classes, in March.
The summer session generally runs eight weeks, although some shorter classes are available. Classes meet in June and July. Students taking summer session will enjoy two to three weeks off of classes between spring and summer sessions and two weeks off between summer and fall sessions.
Course Load
Full-time students enroll for 12 to 18 hours of credit per 16-week semester. The majority of courses are three credit hours each. For every hour in class, two to three hours of study time is recommended for success.
Student Activities
Becoming involved in student organizations is a great way to meet other students and learn about American culture. There are different clubs for different interests.
Employment Options
International students may apply for on-campus employment with a maximum of 20 hours per week. The most common student positions are within the library, computer lab, tutoring center, and computer department.
