Note: This article was published in 2017. It reflects the most popular majors from Fall 2017.

JJC offers a ton of degree and certificate options - more than 180 different types to be exact. From nursing to computer science, the choices are all across the board. But have you ever wondered which majors were the most popular?

According to data pulled from JJC's Institutional Research Office, most students have declared that they are earning an Associate of Arts degree (37.2 percent). Associate of Science degree earners make up 12.2 percent of students. After that (not taking into account students enrolled in dual credit classes) here's our list of the most popular JJC majors.

For a complete list of JJC degree and certificate options, click here.

For Gainful Employment statistics, click here.

1. Nursing
U.S. Avg Earnings: $44,090 per year for LPNs; $68,450 per year for RNs
U.S. Job Growth: 12 percent (LPNs), 15 percent (RNs) projected increase from 2016-2026

JJC Department Chair: Mary Beth Luna, mluna@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/nursing
Click here for course requirements (AAS)

Possible career options include: licensed practical nurses (associate degree), registered nurses (associate or bachelor's degree), school nurses (bachelor's degree) or nurse practitioners (master's degree).

2. Culinary Arts
U.S. Avg Earnings: $43,180 per year (for chefs)
U.S. Job Growth: 10 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (for chefs)

JJC Department Chair: Mike McGreal, mmcgreal@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/culinary-arts
Click here for course requirements (AAS)

Possible career options include: chef, executive chef, pastry chef, baker, food and beverage manager, restaurant manager or owner (associate or bachelor's degrees).

3. Automotive Service Technology
U.S. Avg Earnings: $38,470 per year (for auto service techs)
U.S. Job Growth: 6 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (for auto service techs)

JJC Department Chair: Jim Coleman, jicolema@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/academics/technical-education/automotive-service-technology
Click here for course requirements (AAS)

Possible careers include: automotive service technicians (associate degree), collision repair technicans (associate degree), service writers/advisors (associate degree), field service engineers (bachelor's degree), product engineers (bachelor's degree) or safety engineers (bachelor's degree).

4. Fire Science
U.S. Avg Earnings: $48,030 per year (for firefighters)
U.S. Job Growth: 7 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (for firefighters)

JJC Program Coordinator: Duane Stonich, dstonich@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/academics/fire-science
Click here for course requirements (AAS)

Possible careers include: firefighters, fire marshals, fire investigators, smoke jumpers, captains, assistant chiefs or fire chiefs (associate degrees).

5. Special Education 
U.S. Avg Earnings: $57,910 per year (for special education teachers)
U.S. Job Growth: 8 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (for special education teachers) 

JJC Department Chair: Susan Krause, skrause@jjc.edu
Webiste: jjc.edu/academics/social-and-behavioral-sciences

Possible careers include special education teachers for elementary schools, middle schools and high schools (bachelor's degree), behavioral specialists (bachelor's degree), or special education administrators (bachelor's or master's degree). 

6. Business Administration
U.S. Avg Earnings: $90,050 per year (for administrative service managers)
U.S. Job Growth: 10 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (for administrative service managers)

JJC Department Chair: Bill O'Connor, woconnor@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/academics/business-administration
Click here for course requirements (AAS)

Possible careers include: administrative service managers (bachelor's degree); city managers (bachelor's degree), human resource specialists (bachelor's degree), or auditors (bachelor's degree). 

7. Health Information Management Technology 
U.S. Avg Earnings: $38,040 per year (for health information techs)
U.S. Job Growth: 13 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (for health information techs)

JJC Adviser: Debra Gaskin, dgaskin@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/academics/health-information-management
Click here for course requirements (AAS)

Possible careers include: medical records and health information technicians, medical records analysts, coding specialists, or electronic health records developers (associate degrees).

8. Computer Network Security Specialist
U.S. Avg Earnings: $92,600 per year (for information security analysts)
U.S. Job Growth: 28 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (for information security analysts)

JJC Adviser: Joseph Sullivan, jsulliva@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/choose-your-path/business-finance-information-technology/cisco-information-technology-networking
Click here for course requirements (AAS)

Possible careers include: information security analysts, network and computer systems administrators, computer and information system managers or computer network architects (associate or bachelor's degrees).

9. Emergency Medical Services
U.S. Avg Earnings: $32,670 per year (for EMTs)
U.S. Job Growth: 15 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (for EMTs)

JJC Adviser: Charlotte Garrabrant, cclark@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/emergency-services
Click here for course requirements (AAS)

Possible careers include: EMTs or paramedics (associate degrees).

10. Criminal Justice
U.S. Avg Earnings: $56,750 per year (crime scene investigators) 
U.S. Job Growth: 17 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (crime scene investigators)

JJC Adviser: Kim Karlberg, kkarlber@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/criminal-justice-studies

Possible careers include: crime scene investgators, blood spatter analysts, homicide detectives or computer forensics investigators (bachelor's degrees).

11. Veterinary Medical Technology
U.S. Avg Earnings: $32,490 per year (for vet techs)
U.S. Job Growth: 20 percent projected increase from 2016-2026 (for vet techs)

JJC Adviser: Eileen McKee, emckee@jjc.edu
Website: jjc.edu/vet-tech
Click here for course requirements (AAS)

Possible careers include: general veterinary medical technicians, veterinary medical technicians for internal medicine, veterinary medical technicians for critical care or zookeepers (associate degrees).

Other top rankings included:
#12 Game Design and Development
#13 Child Development
#14 Law Enforcement
#15 Electrical/Electronic Automated Systems
#16 Computer Programming
#17 Welding

Other top rankings based on students who meet with career advisors (Career Services Center):
Education
Diagnostic Medical Sonography 
Radiologic Technology
Psychology
Biology

Major Exploration Fair
JJC's Major Exploration Fair takes place every November. At the fair, you can talk with representatives from various departments at Joliet Junior College, visit with four-year institutions and enter our raffle! To learn more about the fair, click here. Can't make the fair? Schedule an appointment with a career advisor at the Career Services Center by calling (815) 280-2756 or emailing careers@jjc.edu. 

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