Explore More about Your Associate's Degree
Chicago Campus students start with General Core Curriculum requirements and as they progress through the program, they decide on a concentration. In order to graduate with an associate's degree, all students must declare a concentration in one of four areas.
We hope you will explore these concentration options and then bring your thoughts and questions into your SOAR session.
Cybersecurity
Technology drives us. It’s how we get information. How we communicate. How we do business. In our cybersecurity concentration, you’ll harness the power of technology to take on tomorrow’s challenges. Take classes in subjects like digital forensics and ethical hacking, so you’ll be prepared to sit for the Comptia ITF+, Comptia A+ and Comptia Security+ exams upon graduation or transition into majors like computer science or informatics at our River Forest campus.
Certified Nurse Assistant
The need for nurse assistants continues to skyrocket, with demand for personal medical services at an all-time high. In the healthcare track, you’ll prepare for employment as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) through both classroom and clinical education, so that you can take the certification competency exam in Illinois to become a licensed CNA upon graduation. This stepping stone can also provide you a starting point to transfer into our bachelor’s degree in nursing or other health-related majors at our River Forest campus.
Legal Studies
Explore the legal system with a broad focus and gain a deeper understanding of communities’ most pressing needs, such as immigration. You’ll be prepared to work at law firms, nonprofit organizations, corporate legal departments, social justice advocacy groups and more. This concentration is also the perfect pathway for those seeking to become paralegals and prepare for the required certification exams
Translation and Interpretation
Translators and interpreters effectively communicate the meaning and nuance of written and spoken words—building bridges to enhanced understanding. This concentration will set you on the path for a purposeful career in a variety of multilingual settings and functions—from hospitals, offices, and courthouses to ad agencies, film studios and more. This pathway is geared toward students with native proficiency of spoken and written Spanish.
What Could be Next after an Associate's Degree?
At the end of your two-year program, you have the option to take a certification exam to apply for jobs in your specific field or transition seamlessly to a related major in our bachelor’s degree program at 91¸£ÀûÉç’s River Forest campus to continue your studies.