About Us
Proudly serving Community College District 515. PSC is a gateway to possibility.
Charting the Future: Prairie State College’s Strategic Vision
Prairie State College’s Strategic Plan outlines the vision, goals, and priorities that will guide the college’s growth and development. It serves as a roadmap to enhance student success, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure sustainable institutional excellence over the coming years.
Mission Statement
Prairie State College provides access to affordable and high quality educational opportunities
that empower students to achieve their career and life-long goals.
Vision Statement
Prairie State College is the catalyst for growth and discovery that inspires our community
of diverse learners and leaders to reach their full potential and make a positive
impact on the world.
Beyond PSC
making an impact
We live up to the pioneering promise by serving all aspects of the local community.
Take part in positive change at Prairie State.
The Prairie State College story started in 1957.
Prairie State College has a rich history that began in 1957 as Bloom Township Junior College. Initially, our institution aimed to provide students with transfer liberal arts and occupational-technical courses. In 1967, we underwent a significant transformation and were reorganized as a Class I junior college, adopting the name Prairie State College.
Since then, PSC has evolved into a thriving community college that embraces diversity and offers a wide range of educational opportunities. With over 100 fields of study, we provide an extensive selection of degrees and certificates to suit various interests and career paths.
Prairie State College Fast Facts
Prairie State College, founded in 1957 in Chicago Heights, IL, offers over 100 programs,
including transfer degrees and certificates, serving District 515 and local high schools.
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- Type of institution: Two-year community college
- Founded: 1957 - classes began: 1958
- Location: Chicago Heights, Illinois (approximately 30 miles south of downtown Chicago)
- Degrees Granted: Prairie State College offers degrees and certificates in more than 100 fields of study
- Transfer Degrees: Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.), Associate in Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.)
- Career Programs: Prairie State College offers dozens of degrees and certificates that provide training careers.
Prairie State College, Illinois Community College District 515, consists of the following communities: Beecher, Chicago Heights, Crete, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Matteson, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, Steger, University Park, portions of Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Lynwood, Monee, Tinley Park and adjacent unincorporated areas of Cook and Will counties.
To verify your address is in-district (to pay a lower tuition rate), call Enrollment Services at (708) 709-3514.
The high schools that feed into Prairie State College include Beecher, Bloom, Bloom Trail, Crete-Monee, Homewood-Flossmoor, Rich Township, and Marian Catholic.
Prairie State College is a dedicated institution committed to providing quality education,
fostering community engagement, and supporting student success through diverse programs
and initiatives.
Overview of Leadership and Governance Structures
An overview of the key leadership and governance bodies that support the college's
mission, including the roles of the Office of the President, the Administrative Division,
and the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Explore our goals, initiatives, and the inspiring leadership dedicated to shaping
the future of PSC.
Prairie State College’s dedicated staff work behind the scenes to support our mission,
ensure smooth daily functions, and foster a positive environment for students, faculty,
and the community.
The PSC IRB ensures ethical research, protects participants, and reviews protocols
according to federal standards, promoting respectful and high-quality research.
Our values connect all of us.
We strive for excellence in all we do and offer high quality programs in an environment
that prioritizes student learning and success.
We strive to achieve equitable outcomes for students regardless of their identities,
and promote a sense of belonging and an inclusive learning environment for all members
of our diverse community.
We provide unrestricted opportunities for learning suited to students’ individual
and collective needs and implement fair processes that recognize their dignity.
We treat one another with respect and uphold honest and ethical principles that guide
decision-making with the best interests of our students and community in mind.
We offer forward-thinking curriculum and programming to prepare our students for the
careers and challenges of the future.
We integrate sustainable practices into every aspect of the College – the way we teach,
maintain our grounds, and operate.
We develop and nurture partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations,
and employers to strengthen and support our district.
Prairie State College, a two-year community college, provides a range of educational
opportunities for students seeking associate degrees, technical and career certificates,
as well as adult, corporate, and continuing education programs. We serve as a hub
where our community can gather, connect, and make the most of the abundant resources
available.
Prairie State College is the first Illinois community college to guarantee all credits
will transfer to other Illinois colleges and universities, an assurance that has grown
through the Illinois Articulation Initiative.
State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Higher Learning
Commission (HLC) is an institutional accreditation agency that accredits degree-granting
colleges and universities that are based in the United States.