Explore One-Year Programs

Start these programs in the Fall 2026 semester.

Rend Lake College's one-year programs are designed for students who want professional mastery, extensive hands-on technical expertise and a comprehensive workforce credential. Whether you are looking to launch a career in advanced agricultural production, master complex automotive or manufacturing technology, enter specialized healthcare and early childhood fields or excel in business management and the beauty industry, these programs deliver a robust, concentrated curriculum that bypasses traditional multi-year degree timelines to get you job-ready in as little as two semesters. 

Our one-year pathways pair classroom instruction with hands-on learning. Whether mastering equipment in advanced labs, gaining patient experience in regional clinical rotations or practicing in a professional salon environment, you will train alongside industry-expert faculty. This specialized curriculum equips you with the technical skills, safety protocols and regulatory knowledge needed to step confidently into high-demand careers or successfully pass your state licensing exams.

Agricultural Programs

Agricultural Mechanics

This two-semester program is designed to prepare students for occupations involving the maintenance and repair of implements such as tractors, combines and other farm machinery. Upon completion of the curriculum, the student should have a thorough knowledge of engine and equipment repair, servicing, sales and management.

Semester 1

• AGRI 1203–Ignition and Electrical Systems
• AGRI 1208–Diesel Engines
• AGRI 2201–Transmission and Power Trains
• HEQT 1201–Intro to Machine Maintenance

Semester 2

• AGRI 1204–Physics of Hydraulics
• AGRI 1206–Ag Air Conditioning Systems
• AGRI 2204–Advanced Major Overhaul
• DIEL 1201–Diesel Fuel Systems

Recommended Courses

• AGRI 1215–Small Engines
• AGRI 1285–Agriculture Technologies
• WELD 1270–Introduction to Welding Processes
• AGRI 1206–Ag Air Conditioning Systems
• AGRI 2204–Advanced Major Overhaul
• DIEL 1201–Diesel Fuel Systems

Agricultural Production & Management

A two-semester program where students develop decision-making abilities by being exposed to such areas as farm management, economics and marketing. Courses like those dealing with feeds and feeding, soils and fertilizers and ag chemicals are intended to help develop technical skills. Unique to this program are the mechanical courses designed to develop skills needed to service the machines common in today’s agriculture.

Semester 1

• AGRI 1161–Soil Science
• AGRI 1205–Assembling, Adjusting and Reconditioning Farm Equipment
• AGRI 1208–Diesel Engines
• AGRI 1263–Crop Science

Semester 2

• AGRI 1181–Introduction to Animal Science
• AGRI 1221–Introduction to Agricultural Occupations
• AGRI 2241–Farm Management

Recommended Courses

• AGRI 1262–Agricultural Chemicals
• AGRI 1285–Agricultural Technologies
• DIEL 1201–Diesel Fuel Systems

Interested in enrolling in an Agriculture program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.

Business Management II

This two-semester program leads to a certificate in Business Management. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the general background in all areas of business and prepare them for entry-level positions in a variety of businesses and industries. The curriculum also provides those individuals already in positions in the local workforce the opportunity to upgrade job skills or advancement potential. The target audience includes individuals seeking entry-level employment, current employees looking to increase their skill sets or advance and small business developers. The Business Management II certificate is targeted to focus on the entrepreneurial skilled worker to promote success by increasing communication and math skills necessary to grow their own businesses.

Semester 1

• BUSI 1101–Introduction to Business
• ENGL 1101–Rhetoric and Composition I
• MATH 1202–Business Math
• OFTC 1233–Office Accounting
• OFTC 1234–Communication in Technical Services

Semester 2

• BUSI 2107–Business Communications
• BUSI 2203–Business Ethics
• BUSI 2105–Legal and Social Environment
• ECON 1101–Intro to Economics
• MGMT 2201–Principles of Management
• OFTC 1206–Computerized Accounting w/ QuickBooks

Interested in enrolling in the Business Management II program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.

Medical Assistant

A two-semester program that teaches medical assistants to work under the supervision of physicians in their offices, clinics and other facilities. Medical assistants perform both administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records and billing and clinical tasks such as taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood and administering medications as directed by a physician.

Semester 1

• ALH 1200–Intro to Pharmacology
• ALH 1201–Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals
• CMA 1201–Administrative Aspects
• CMA 1202–Patient Care I
• CMA 1203–Billing & Coding
• HECO 1202–Healthcare Terminology

Semester 2

• ALH 1202–Medical Law & Ethics
• CMA 1204–Professionalism & Safety
• CMA 1205–Lab Diagnostics
• CMA 1206–Patient Care II
• CMA 1207–Practicum

Interested in enrolling in the Medical Assistant program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.

Cosmetology Programs

Barber

This three-semester program leads to an Occupational Certificate in Barbering. The program is designed to prepare individuals for positions in the Barber field. Typical graduates will work as  barbers in chain or independent shops or open their own. The curriculum emphasizes practical, hands-on experience with the latest styles, trends and techniques. The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and prepares students to take the Illinois Barber licensure exam.

Semester 1

• COSM 1201–Barber / Cosmetology Theory I
• COSM 1202–Barber / Cosmetology Clinic I
• COSM 1226–Barber / Cosmetology Theory I-A
• COSM 1227–Barber / Cosmetology Clinic I-A

Semester 2

• COSM 1207–Barber Theory II
• COSM 1208–Barber Clinic II
• COSM 1231–Barber Theory II-A
• COSM 1232–Barber Clinic II-A

Semester 3

• COSM 1205–Barber / Cosmetology Clinic III
• COSM 1206–Barber / Cosmetology Internship
• COSM 1230–Barber / Cosmetology Theory II

Cosmetology

A three-semester program leading to an Occupational Certificate in Cosmetology is designed to prepare individuals for positions in the Cosmetology field. Typical graduates will work as stylists in chain or independent salons or open their own salons. The curriculum emphasizes practical, hands-on experience with the latest styles, trends and techniques

Semester 1

• COSM 1201–Barber / Cosmetology Theory I
• COSM 1202–Barber / Cosmetology Clinic I
• COSM 1226–Barber / Cosmetology Theory I-A
• COSM 1227–Barber / Cosmetology Clinic I-A

Semester 2

• COSM 1203–Cosmetology Theory II
• COSM 1204–Cosmetology Clinic II
• COSM 1228–Cosmetology Theory II-A
• COSM 1229–Cosmetology Clinic II-A

Semester 3

• COSM 1205–Barber / Cosmetology Clinic III
• COSM 1206–Barber / Cosmetology Internship
• COSM 1230–Barber / Cosmetology Theory III

Cosmetology Teacher II

This two-semester occupational certificate is designed to prepare individuals for positions teaching Cosmetology. Typical graduates will work as instructors in Cosmetology programs.

Based on Illinois Department of Professional Regulation guidelines, students with two years of practical experience as a licensed cosmetologist are required to complete 500 clock hours of instruction. Licensed cosmetologists with less than two years of practical experience are required to complete 1,000 clock hours of instruction.

Semester 1

• COSM 1210–Post-Grad Training I
• COSM 1211–Post-Grad Training II

Semester 2 

• BUSI 1101–Intro to Business
• COSM 1212–Teaching Methods
• COSM 1213–Teaching Methods Application
• COSM 1214–Student Teaching

Interested in enrolling in a Cosmetology program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.

Early Childhood Education Programs

Early Childhood Education

This two-semester certificate provides students with the background in Early Childhood Education courses. Courses
align with the associate degree program to promote a seamless transition into the Associate in Applied Science Degree.

Semester 1

• ECE 1201–Child Development
• ECE 1202–Intro to Early Childhood Education
• ECE 1205–Health, Safety and Nutrition
• ECE 1207–Language Arts for Young Children
• ECE 1208–Family / Community / Staff Relations

Semester 2 

• ECE 1204–Creative Arts for Young Children
• ECE 1206–Curriculum for Young Children
• ECE 1209–Curriculum Lab
• ECE 1210–Child Study and Observation
• ECE 2203–Science and Math for Young Children

Early Childhood Certificate - Level Three

The three-semester Level Three Certificate is designed to lead the early childhood professional to a Level Three Early Childhood Credential through Illinois Gateways to Opportunity. The certificate fulfills the coursework requirements.

Semester 1 

• ECE 1201–Child Development
• ECE 1202–Intro to Early Childhood Education
• ECE 1205–Health, Safety and Nutrition
• ECE 1208–Family / Community / Staff Relations

Semester 2 

• ECE 1206–Curriculum for Young Children
• ECE 1209–Curriculum Lab
• ECE 1210–Child Study and Observation

Semester 3

• COMM 1101–Principles of Elective Speaking
• ENGL 1101–Rhetoric and Composition I
• MATH 1107–Contemporary College Math

Interested in enrolling in an Early Childhood Education program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.

EMT Paramedic Certificate

Complete the 9-credit-hour EMT 1250 (Emergency Medical Technician) certificate and then advance to this four-semester program that's approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health and meets current IDPH standards for training as an Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic. Successful completers of the certificate may apply to take the Illinois Department of Public Health EMT-P examination. Learning will occur in classroom, laboratory, hospital and field settings.

Semester 1

• EMTP 1260–Paramedic Services I

Semester 2

• EMTP 1262–Paramedic Services II
• EMTP 1272–Paramedical Clinical I

Semester 3 

• EMTP 1263–Paramedic Services III
• EMTP 1273–Paramedic Clinical II

Semester 4

• EMTP 1264–Paramedic Services IV
• EMTP 1274–Paramedic Clinical III

Interested in enrolling in the EMT Paramedic program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.

Facility Management

This two-semester certificate is designed to prepare students for entry-level occupations involving the management of organizations' physical assets. Upon completion of the curriculum, students should have basic knowledge of building codes, building design and construction, mechanical and electrical systems operations, landscaping and grounds management and asset management. A wide variety of career opportunities exist for individuals to be employed in manufacturing plants, hospitals, high-rise buildings, educational institutions and recreation centers, as well as hotels and motels.

Semester 1

• ARCH 1212–Architectural Construction Systems
• ARCH 2215–Mechanical & Electrical Systems
• ARCH 2226–Architectural Documents & Cost Estimating
• FMGT 1201–Intro to Facility Management
• IST 1221–Industrial Safety
• MATH 1201–Technical Math

Semester 2 

• ARCH 1209–Architectural Building Tech
• ARCH 2227–Architectural Building Codes
• CSCI 1102–Intro to Computers w/ Business Applications
• GFM 1201–Plan & Develop Green Facilities
• HORT 1201–Intro to Horticulture

Interested in enrolling in the Facility Management program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.

Visual Communication Design Programs

Graphic Technician

The four-semester Graphic Technician Certificate program prepares students for employment requiring design responsibilities in a variety of organizational settings. The curriculum partners the necessary knowledge of design techniques with skills needed to be successful in business settings through enhanced communications skills and a working knowledge of office systems software.

Semester 1 

• GRD 1201–Introduction to Graphic Design
• GRD 1202–Typography and Color Theory
• GRD 2201–Adobe Essentials I

Semester 2 

• GRD 1203–Advertising Design
• GRD 1206–Production Prepress
• GRD 2215–Adobe Essentials II

Semester 3

• GRD 2209–Computer Type Design
• CSCI 1102–Intro to Computers with Business Applications
• GRD 2220–Adobe Essentials II

Semester 4

• GRD 2218–Package Design
• BUS 2107–Business Communications
• GRD 2204–Portfolio Review

Motion Design

The three-semester Motion Design Certificate provides a fundamental knowledge of digital imaging, video and motion graphics. Students begin with 2D and 3D fundamentals, imaging and design. Students then study the aesthetic and design aspects of digital media with focused courses in graphic design and advanced imaging. Students explore how to animate in digital video, After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro. Motion Design professionals may pursue careers that include video production and post-production, visual effects, advertising, web applications, graphics software, architectural design, 3D modeling and simulation and scientific research or visualization.

Semester 1

• GRD 1201–Introduction to Graphic Design
• GRD 1202–Typography and Color Theory
• GRD 2201–Adobe Essentials I
• GRD 1205–Drawing for Communications

Semester 2 

• GRD 1209–Motion Design I
• GRD 2215–Adobe Essentials II
• GRD 1215–Web Design
• GRD 1203–Advertising Design

Semester 3 

• GRD 2205–Motion Design II
• GRD 2206–Motion Design III

Interested in enrolling in an Visual Communication Design program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.