This pathway is a great fit if you’re practical, enjoy hands-on work outdoors or working with animals. You can expect to learn from experienced, expert instructors who care about student success.
Some highlights include:
Have questions about our programs? Learn how you can get started.
Get Started: Agricultural Sciences
Get Started: Horticultural Sciences
Get Started: Veterinary Medical Technology
While this event has passed, you can still check out videos from our virtual open house!
The Agricultural Sciences program at JJC prepares students for either transfer or immediate employment in the modern agriculture industry. JJC's Agricultural Sciences program has a long-standing tradition for providing a quality education for its students and community. Hands-on training, state-of-the-art facilities and on-the-job-training are available to all our students.
Agricultural Science Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are available in:
JJC's Ag Department ensures that all students are getting an education with cutting edge information and quality instructors. Our full-time faculty provide students with a wide range of expertise and instruction to prepare them for their chosen careers.
Students are exposed to many aspects of agriculture through guest speakers, field trips and hands-on instruction. In addition, individualized academic advising is provided to our students to ensure proper course selection. This is especially important for our transfer degree students to enable a seamless transition from JJC to a four-year agriculture program of their choice.
Student social groups such as the Student Agriculture Association (SAA), the Post-Secondary Agriculture Student Organization (PAS) and the Collegiate Farm Bureau provide students opportunities to engage in social activities and develop leadership skills. Also, many scholarships and awards are available especially for JJC agriculture students.
Our Associate in Applied Science degrees include a required on-job-training course. Students are placed in paid, full-time internship experiences nationwide and are supervised regularly on-site by JJC staff. Students who enter full-time employment following graduation can expect four to eight job opportunities from which to choose while those who plan to transfer to other institutions will find JJC credits accepted nationwide.
Tammy Miller
Ag Business & Transfer Advisor
Phone: 815.280.2424
Email: tmiller@jjc.edu
The Horticultural Sciences program at JJC prepares students for exciting careers in areas such as landscape contracting, floral design, turfgrass management, urban forestry, and greenhouse management.
The JJC Horticulture program offers students:
Besides getting an outstanding education, horticulture students at JJC have many opportunities for learning and fun. They attend and participate in activities such as:
JJC's Horticulture program offers a number of certificates that are stackable with the program's two AAS degrees. Students who complete a certificate are encouraged to build on the classes they've already taken and complete a degree program.
Lisa Perkins
Horticulture Professor
Room: S-1015
Phone: 815.280.2387
Email: lperkins@jjc.edu
David Bartz
Horticulture Advisor
Phone: 815.280.6692
Email: dbartz@jjc.edu
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in the Veterinary Medical Technology Program (VMTP) is designed for students who wish to become certified veterinary technicians (CVTs).
This program combines classroom learning with hands-on laboratory and clinical experience. It offers both full and part-time options as well as day and evening sections. All vet tech courses must be completed within four years of the date of entry into the program.
The JJC Veterinary Medical Technology Program is fully accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) for licensure in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) administers the examination. Certification requirements may vary from state to state.
The AAS in veterinary technology is not intended to meet the requirements for application to veterinary school to become a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM).
Learn More about the JJC Vet Tech program
Karen Magno
Vet Tech Secretary
Office: B-1048
Phone: 815.280.2746
Email: kmagno@jjc.edu
Abby Panozzo, CVT
Professor, Vet Tech Program
Phone: 815.280.2286
Email: apanozzo@jjc.edu
You can save thousands on your education by attending JJC your first two years compared to a four-year public or private institution.
JJC offers many transfer agreements with partner institutions, which means the transfer process is easily streamlined.
Visit our University Partnerships page to learn more.
As a member of the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs (ICISP), JJC offers many study abroad opportunities around the world for students of any major. Destinations include Japan, Costa Rica, England, France and more!
At JJC, you can choose to study abroad during the fall, spring or summer semesters. All students who want to study abroad should fill out an application and have it completed by the deadlines below.
The Horticultural Sciences program at JJC prepares students for exciting careers in areas such as landscape contracting, floral design, turfgrass management, urban forestry, and greenhouse management.
The JJC Horticulture program offers students:
Besides getting an outstanding education, horticulture students at JJC have many opportunities for learning and fun. They attend and participate in activities such as Student Horticulture Association, Planet Student Career Days, Illinois Landscape Challenge Day, PAS (Illinois and National Postsecondary Agriculture Student Organizations), Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers, Mid America Trade Show, Green Industry Conference, and Midwest Turfgrass Exposition. All these experiences prepare them for great success in their career paths.
Diane Vlna
Secretary, Ag, Hort & Vet Sciences
Hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Office: S-1019
815.280.2320
dvlna@jjc.edu
Horticulture Advisor
Lisa Perkins
815-280-2387
lperkins@jjc.edu
JJC's Horticulture program offers a number of certificates that are stackable with the program's two AAS degrees. Students who complete a certificate are encouraged to build on the classes they've already taken and complete a degree program.
