Education

Why Education?

Education is a rewarding field whose graduates are in demand. In our program you will learn the basics about the field of education and teaching, possible specializations, and the job outlook. You will increase your knowledge regarding race, gender, sexual identity, class, ability, and ethnicity and build the necessary skills to provide equity for your future students.   

Heartland can put you on track to transfer as a junior in an Illinois teacher education program like at ISU. Complete your associate degree and prepare to transfer to a 4-year program in teacher education.

Program Details

Education

Format
On Campus, Online, Hybrid
In-District Tuition
$169/credit hour
Out-of-District Tuition
$337/credit hour
Degrees
Average Time to Complete
2 years
Financial Options
Financial Aid is available.

Program Highlights

Experience the satisfaction of engaging minds and making a difference in the lives of students. At HCC, you can focus on elementary, middle level, secondary, or special education. Classes include hands-on and collaborative learning opportunities, and you will gain job-related experience through classroom observations. Topics explored through HCC education courses include:

  • principles of reading and language arts in elementary schools
  • special education
  • technology in the classroom
  • coaching and athletics
  • educational psychology
  • multicultural classrooms

As a future educator, you may also want to join TEACH-HCC's student education organization. Unique service-learning opportunities are available, including helping local children with disabilities perform in theatre productions through the Penguin Project.

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Courses

  • EDUC 101: Introduction to Education
  • EDUC 135: The Multicultural Classroom
  • EDUC 163: Introduction to Coaching Athletics
  • EDUC 220I: Educational Psychology
  • EDUC 296: Selected Topics in Education

Degrees

Associate in Arts - Elementary, Secondary, or Special Education
  • 60 credit hours
  • Catalog Year 2025-2026 
  • Communication 
Communication
Course Hours
ENGL 101 - Critical Reading & Writing

3 (C or higher)
ENGL 102 - Multimodal Composition

3 (C or higher)
COMM 101 - Introduction to Oral Communication

3

Total Credit Hours

9
Humanities & Fine Arts
Course Hours
Humanities - Any one IAI Humanities course 

3 
Fine Arts - Any one IAI Fine Arts course 

3
Humanities or Fine Arts - One additional IAI Humanities or Fine Arts course 

3

Total Credit Hours

9
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Course Hours
Social & Behavioral Science - 3 courses from at least 2 disciplines. 

3 each 

Total Credit Hours 

9
Life & Physical Sciences
Course Hours
Life Science -  Any one IAI Life Science course 

3-4 
Physical Science - Any one IAI Physical Science course 

3-4

Lab Requirement - At least one science course must have a lab component 

-

Total Credit Hours

7
Mathematics
Course Hours
Math - Any one IAI Math course 

3

Total Credit Hours 

3
IAI Electives
Course Hours

Different universities require different coursework in preparation to transfer. You should consult your Academic Advisor at Heartland and the registrar at the college or university you are considering to learn how courses you've taken at Heartland will transfer.

-

Total Credit Hours 

23

Information is subject to change. Please check with an academic advisor for current course offerings and program requirements. Current students with continual enrollment may graduate under the current program requirements or any program requirements in effect since first enrollment.

Associate in Science - Secondary Education
  • 60 credit hours
  • Catalog Year 2025-2026
  • Communication
Communication
Course Hours

ENGL 101 - Critical Reading & Writing

3

ENGL 102 - Multimodal Composition

3

COMM 101 - Introduction to Oral Communication

3

Total Credit Hours

9
Humanities & Fine Arts
Course Hours

Humanities - Any one IAI Humanities course (3 credit hours)

3

Fine Arts - Any one IAI Fine Arts course

3

Total Credit Hours

6
Life & Physical Sciences
Course Hours

Life Science - Any one IAI Life Science course

3-4

Physical Science - Any one IAI Physical Science course

3-4

Life Science, Physical Science, CHEM 162, CHEM 241, CHEM 242, or PHYS 173 - One additional course: Any IAI Life or Physical Science, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, or Fluids & Thermal Physics

3-4

Lab Requirement - At least one science course must have a lab component

-

Total Credit Hours

10
Mathematics
Course Hours

Math - Any one IAI Math course

3-4

Math IAI Course, Math 271 or Math 272 - Either one additional IAI Math course, Linear Algebra or Differential Equations

3-4

Total Credit Hours

6

Information is subject to change. Please check with an academic advisor for current course offerings and program requirements. Current students with continual enrollment may graduate under the current program requirements or any program requirements in effect since first enrollment.

Information is subject to change. Please check with an academic advisor for current course offerings and program requirements. Current students with continual enrollment may graduate under the current program requirements or any program requirements in effect since first enrollment.

Transfer Guide

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) 

Heartland Community College is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide transfer agreement among more than 100 colleges and universities in Illinois. IAI courses have been approved for transfer to an Illinois public university. For more information about the Illinois Articulation Initiative, please visit the IAI website. 

General Education Core Curriculum Requirement

For the completion of an Associate in Science degree, you will need to complete a minimum of 41 general education core hours as part of the 60-credit hour degree. The remaining credit hours are electives.

For completion of the Associate in Arts degree, you will need to complete a minimum of 37 general education core curriculum (GECC) hours, within 7 categories, as part of the 60-credit hour degree. 

Click on the category to view what courses Heartland has to offer within each of the required categories.

Communications 
Fine Arts 
Humanities 
Life Sciences 
Mathematics 
Physical Sciences 
Social & Behavioral Sciences

Careers

The job outlook for teachers and paraprofessionals ranges from good to excellent over the next several years. Opportunities vary depending on the grade level being taught, the area of specialization, and region in which you live. Some areas of strong demand include special education, math, science, and bilingual education. Paraprofessionals will be in high demand in classrooms with students who have disabilities.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition

The U.S. Department of Education's gainful employment regulations require disclosure of certain program information to students and prospective students.

Please review the employment information pertaining to your degree or certificate by selecting your intended program at the Heartland Community College Career Coach.

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions visit the U.S Department of Education College Scorecard site.

Contact Information

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Division Office

ICB 2000 & 2100
1500 W Raab Road
Normal, IL 61761

Phone: 309-268-8620

Email: LASS Office