Prepare for a meaningful career as a teacher by studying the essentials at the College of Lake County. You save money by starting at a community college, and you’re well-prepared for the rigors of a 4-year school.
Once you earn your associate degree, you can transfer, complete your bachelor’s degree and secure your teaching license.
What can you do with an A.A. in Secondary Education?
Once you finish your associate degree, you’re ready to succeed at a 4-year school. Your bachelor’s degree enables you to earn your teaching license. You’re then ready to make an incredible impact at the middle and high school levels. You’ll teach:
Math
Science
English
Social Studies
Physical Education
Foreign Language
Things you'll love about this program
strong transfer agreements with 4-year schools
field experiences in local school districts
partnerships with local schools = job opportunities!
curriculum emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion
classes taught by expert professors with local K-12 experience
Earn an Associate Degree in Education online
Dr. Michelle Proctor, Associate Professor of Education explains how teachers at CLC facilitate learning. "We are colleagues, we are working and we are teammates together. Kids still need to see the possibilities in themselves. They still need really great teachers."
Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice.
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$54,146
Median
$81,292
Senior-Level
$149,050
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$26.02
Median
$39.07
Senior-Level
$71.65
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
Certificate
15.26%
Associate Degree
0.15%
Bachelor's Degree
73.75%
Master's Degree
10.83%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$75,663
Median
$119,395
Senior-Level
$168,413
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$36.38
Median
$57.39
Senior-Level
$80.97
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
9.13%
Bachelor's Degree
6.9%
Master's Degree
83.84%
Doctorate
0.14%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$54,500
Median
$87,227
Senior-Level
$144,814
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$26.20
Median
$41.93
Senior-Level
$69.61
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
Bachelor's Degree
67.34%
Master's Degree
28.41%
Doctorate
4.24%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$31,641
Median
$41,320
Senior-Level
$65,762
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$15.21
Median
$19.86
Senior-Level
$31.61
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
Some college
26.92%
Associate Degree
3.85%
Bachelor's Degree
46.16%
Master's Degree
19.23%
Doctorate
3.85%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.
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*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other
fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied,
as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Start at CLC and continue with a 4-year school to earn your bachelor's degree. CLC has partnerships with many colleges and universities, covering a wide range of programs.
Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.
Education at CLC: Get the bigger picture
Learn about courses, faculty, related programs and more.
Class sizes range from 10 to 28 students, so you’ll get plenty of personalized attention from your professors. Plus, you’ll have unique opportunities to connect with your classmates.
It takes about 2 years to complete your associate degree (if you go full-time.) Then you’ll spend another 2 or 3 years working toward your bachelor’s degree after you transfer. Expect a total investment of 4 to 5 years.
Yes! All of our classes are online, meaning you can complete them from the comfort of your kitchen table or your favorite coffee shop. Earn your degree—without the commute.
As an elementary education student, you need to be an effective communicator with great listening skills. You also need to be:
organized
adaptable
empathetic
patient
Through our program’s excellent curriculum, you become an engaged critical thinker. You work with classmates and your professors to identify the effects of cultural bias and institutional racism, and you learn how to create a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students. You also learn:
teamwork
imaginative thinking
leadership
time management
technological skills
conflict resolution
What students say about CLC
John Randolph
Graduate
“The education courses at CLC were very engaging. I found the instructors had a passion for what they were teaching.”
John studied education at CLC, then transferred to complete his bachelor's and master's degrees. He now is principal of Round Lake Middle School and teaches education classes at CLC part time.
