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.
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.
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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.
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Interested in enrolling in an Agriculture program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.
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.
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Interested in enrolling in the Business Management II program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.
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.
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Interested in enrolling in the Medical Assistant program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.
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.
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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
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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.
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Interested in enrolling in a Cosmetology program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.
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.
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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.
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Interested in enrolling in an Early Childhood Education program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.
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.
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Interested in enrolling in the EMT Paramedic program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.
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.
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Interested in enrolling in the Facility Management program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.
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.
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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.
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Interested in enrolling in an Visual Communication Design program? Fill out the interest form below to get more information about the courses.