College History

Morton College, the second oldest community college in Illinois, was founded in 1924 to meet the educational demands in the growing communities of Berwyn, Cicero, Forest View, Lyons, McCook, Stickney and other near western suburbs which were a national hub of economic activity.

As the community grew, so did Morton College. Originally housed at Morton East High School, the College was governed by the Morton High School Board of Trustees from 1924 until district residents voted to form the independent, Community College District No. 527 in 1966.

Finding a home of its own became the greatest challenge for the new independent college. It took several years to find the right site in a built-up community. In the mean-time, the College leased classrooms at Morton East, storefronts and in community churches.

Construction began on the current Morton College campus at Pershing Road and Central Avenue in 1973. Twenty-one months later, the campus opened and quickly became the pride of the community. Long-term residents as well as aspiring young immigrants attended the school to realize their dreams.

Over the decades, Morton College’s university transfer program has become known state-wide for academic excellence. The College’s curriculum and mission also has expanded to include career, community, continuing and adult education programs.

Just as the College started in 1924 with 11 teachers and 76 students dedicated to a future-oriented philosophy, the College renews that commitment at the beginning of the 21st century with a series of renovations and upgrades to keep the College relevant long into the next century.

The renovated, award-winning Library opened in 2005 with triple the number of computers, wireless access, group study rooms and a cyber-café. Science and computer laboratories were upgraded to state-of-the-art facilities that rival any in the country.

A Student Success Center, which houses a number of important student services such as tutoring, placement testing and career assistance, opened in 2007. Students also are able to relax between classes in the Center, which is equipped with contemporary technology.

The College honors the community's rich industrial past through the 2007 opening of the Hawthorne Works Museum and Heritage Hall. It pays homage to the many individuals who worked and lived in the community.

Morton College is excited to expand possibilities in a new 15,778-square foot, two-story addition that opened in the Fall of 2016. It is the first new construction of any kind since the current campus opened in 1975.

The building will feature cutting-edge technology in 10 high-tech, LEED-certified classrooms as well as a student lounge and Teaching and Learning Center.

Morton College continues to move forward in welcoming new and future students wanting to find meaning in their lives and prosper through higher education.

About Morton College

Morton College is a public comprehensive community college recognized by the Illinois Community College Board as District 527. The College is governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees. Seven of the Trustees are elected to six year terms by the residents of District 527. A Student Trustee is elected by Morton College students to a one year term. District 527 serves the communities of Berwyn, Cicero, Forest View, Lyons, McCook and Stickney.

The College offers Associate in Arts and Associate in Science university transfer programs and Associate in Applied Science and Certificate programs for students who intend to pursue employment upon graduation. Customized workforce training programs for local employers are also available.

The Adult Education, Community Programming and Outreach division of the College offers a wide array of programs and courses in English Language Acquisition, High School Equivalency Certificate, Adult Literacy, and community education and enrichment programs.

Morton College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

College Mission and Goals

Mission

To enhance the quality of life of our diverse community through exemplary teaching and learning opportunities, community service, and life-long learning.

Goals

  • Maximize the College's resources to support student learning.
  • Conduct ongoing assessment of student learning to discover new ways to help students succeed.
  • Develop responsive curricula and programs to serve community needs.
  • Encourage community families to embrace the educational opportunities Morton College provides.

Misión Y Objetivos De Morton College

Misión

Enriquecer la calidad de vida de nuestra comunidad a través de modelos ejemplares de enseñanza y aprendizaje, servicios comunitarios y oportunidades de aprendizaje perdurables.

Objetivos

  • Maximizar los recursos institucionales enfocados al aprendizaje de nuestros estudiantes.
  • Evaluar contínuamente el proceso de aprendizaje de nuestros estudiantes con el objectivo de proporcionarles nuevas formas de apoyo para lograr el éxito.
  • Desarrollar programas educativos que respondan y sirvan las necesidades de la comunidad.
  • Motivar a las familas de nuestras comunidades a aprovechar las oportunidades que Morton College ofrece.

Core Values

Compassion, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, Tolerance and Truth

Morton College, in support of these Core Values, is committed to the freedom of expression and the pursuit of truth in teaching and learning in an educational environment that is welcoming to all.

Diversity Statement

Diversity at Morton College is more than just a variety of people with different backgrounds. It is at the core of who we are as an educational culture and it supports our goals as an organization. Consistent with its mission of social responsibility and community involvement, Morton College continually works "to enhance the quality of life of our diverse community."

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Source: The Morton College Academic Plan for Excellence.

Frequently Called Numbers

AECPO Computer Lab 2297 237C
Academic Advising 2484 One Stop Center
Admissions & Records 2484 One Stop Center
Adult Ed. (GED / ESL) 2373-2374 214C
Academic Deans' Office 2330 271C
Athletics 2370-2371 201E
Auto Shop 2276 110D
AV Hotline 2209 2nd Fl B
Innovation Room
221B
Bookstore 800-381-5151  Virtual 
Bus & Comm. Srvs 2382 225C
Business Office 2305-2308 203C
Cafeteria 2458 1st Fl C
Campus Police 2200-2201 119C
Career Services Office 2157 2nd Fl C
Cashier’s Office 2268 One Stop Center
Child Care Center 2284 105D
Collegian 2294 328C
Continuing Education and Community Services 2281 223C
CRCP 2271 243C
Counseling Services 2484  One Stop Center
Duplication Srvs 2257 239B
Expressions 2294 329C
Financial Aid / Veterans 2484 One Stop Center
Fitness Center 2274 116E
Hawthorne Suite   2nd Fl. C
Human Resources 2299-2300 247B
Tutoring Center 2465 201C
Library
   Circulation Desk
   Computer Help
   Instr Technologist
   Reference Desk

2321
2235
2430
2429

Library

2nd Fl B

Maintenance 2220-2221 101D
Marketing/Comm. (MAC) 2270 316C
MIS Help Desk Hotline 2444 232B
Music Department 2231 108C
Multimedia Help Desk 2209 2nd Fl B
Nursing Program 2388 302C
Payroll 2306 204C
Placement Testing Cntr 2484 234C
Pre-Kindergarten 2285 105D
Project Care 2383 245C
Service Center 2217 238B
Shipping and Receiving 2218 144C
Student Activities 2262 Student Union
Theatre Department 2230 103A
Transfer Information 2484 One Stop Center
Tutoring Center  2465 241C 
UPS Campus Recruiter 2877 243C

Getting Started

EASY STEPS FOR ENROLLMENT
"I WANT TO ENROLL IN A DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM.”
Follow Steps 1A, 2, 3, 4 and 5
“I’M NOT SEEKING A DEGREE. I JUST WANT TO TAKE COURSES.”
Follow Steps 1A, 2, 3, 4 and 5
“I USED TO BE A STUDENT AT MORTON COLLEGE AND I WANT TO REAPPLY.”
Follow Steps 1B, 2, 3, 4 and 5
“I WANT TO TAKE ADULT OR COMMUNITY EDUCATION COURSES.”
See the Adult Education, Community Programming and Outreach chapter in this catalog, or see the information on the Student Quick Guide.
1A Fill out New Student Information Form*
Fill out an application form and submit it to the Office of Admissions and Records along with a copy of your high school transcripts or GED test scores, as well as transcripts from all colleges previously attended.
1B Resubmit New Student Information Form*
You must reapply for admission to Morton College if you have been away for more than five years. Fill out a re-application form and submit it to the Office of Admissions and Records. It is not necessary to fill out a re-application form if you have taken a course at Morton College within the last five years.
2 Take the Placement Test
Students intending on enrolling in an English, math or a course that has a math or English prerequisite must take a placement test before registering. Students may be exempt from placement testing based on previous college credit or ACT scores. For more information, contact Academic Advising at (708) 656-8000, Ext. 2484, to schedule an appointment.
3 New Student Orientation
New student orientation is mandatory for first year students. Please call (708) 656-8000, ext. 2484 to make an appointment.
4 Register for Courses
Register for courses in the Office of Admissions and Records located in the One Stop Center, first floor of Building B.
5 Pay Tuition and Fees
You may make your payment in person or online as follows: Online - Deferred payment plan through Nelnet (FACTS) Cashier’s Office - cash, check, VISA, MasterCard and Discover Online - Visa, MasterCard and Discover
NOTE: You will receive a tuition bill at the time of registration from the Office of Admissions and Records. If payment is not received by the due date, you may be dropped from your courses. If you are dropped from your courses, you may re-register with no guarantee of obtaining the same course schedule. Additionally, non-attendance does not constitute official withdrawal from your courses. It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. Unless you officially withdraw from a course, you are still responsible for all tuition and fees for any course for which you have registered. The College refunds tuition and fees only when official drop forms are properly completed, authorized and processed through the Office of Admission and Records and only according to the Tuition Refund Table found in the current Morton College course schedule. Telephone requests for courses to be “dropped” are not accepted. **Please note that some health programs have additional admission requirements and a selective admissions process. To obtain an enrollment package, contact the Office of Admissions and Records at (708) 656-8000, Ext. 2484.