Public and Professional Business Services

Oakton's Public and Professional Business Services programs help you prepare to make a positive impact in your community. These different fields share a common goal: to help others in an ethical and good way. If you want to work directly with people, Oakton offers the education you need and connects you with internships in areas like law enforcement, firefighting, paramedics, or human services. If you prefer an office job, careers like paralegal, accounting, or marketing might interest you. No matter which path you choose, Oakton's teachers will support you all along. Whether you begin with a certificate, an applied associate's degree, or plan to transfer to another college later, starting your journey at Oakton, your community's college, is a smart choice.

Degrees and certificates in this pathway

Careers in Public and Professional Business Services are for those who want to get ahead and give back to their community. 

Certificates can be completed in as little as 6 months, and associate degrees can be completed in two years. Your length of study will depend on how many classes you take each semester.

Can be completed within 2+ years

Designed to be finished at Oakton and prepare you directly for the workforce with industry-relevant coursework.

Student listening to a professor at a desk.

Can be completed within 2+ years

Designed to transfer into a 4-year Bachelor's program (A.A. or A.S. will depend on your transfer institution and major); includes General Education coursework. View Oakton's Transfer Partnerships and Guides here.

Oakton offers pre-majors:

Paramedic students practicing on a mannequin.

Can be completed within 6 months - 1+ year

Gain a new skill or upskill to enhance your resume; complete it stand-alone or talk with Advising to plan how the certificate can a stepping stone to a further degree. Visit the Applied Associate of Sciences (A.A.S.) degrees pages for a full list of certificates available.

Accounting Department

Management and Supervision Department

Marketing Management Department

Global Business Department

Other

Fire Science

Emergency Medical Technology / Paramedic

Human Services

Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

Paralegal

Substance Abuse Counseling

Discover majors and in-demand careers based on your interests. The Career Coach assessment is a 6- or 60-question quiz that links your interests to programs offered here at Oakton and local career opportunities. Don’t worry about education, training or cost when answering the questions; just consider what you would like to spend time doing.

Take the Career Coach Assessment
Student (appears to be male) in the library.
Saviya Quraishi

“I haven’t always been a big fan of school, but that changed at Oakton. I just love coming here—it’s so peaceful to me, it just relaxes me. It’s because I 100 percent feel like I belong here. This is my place."

Learn more about Saviya's Oakton experience

Saviya Quraishi

Jose Ramirez

"I wanted to help people and help my community. The whole idea just inspired me and pushed me more to go for a career in public service."

Learn how Jose helps his community

Jose Ramirez

A.A.S. Fire Science Technology

Maria Gutierrez

"This is my purpose. I want to help students see that they can get the assistance to go to college, no matter what."

Read more about Maria paving the way in college

Maria Gutierrez

Accounting Certificate

Talk with Admission to map your path

Where to start

Every great professional starts out right where you are. The first step in your college journey (and where it takes you) is to fill out an application. Select this Area of Interest in your application, so we can best support you explore this path.
Apply now