Overview

Since its inception, Riverside Community College has strived to provide its students and the community with a diverse range of courses and a large number of comprehensive career and technical programs that are designed to train students to prepare themselves for the future job market.  Today, RCCD offers more than forty quality occupational programs and more than a hundred different degrees and certificates on three campuses.

what is a career and technical program?

Riverside Community College offers associate in science degrees and certificate programs with occupational emphasis.  Both provide instruction in the skills and knowledge needed to enter a skilled or professional occupation.  Associate in science degree programs require completion of at least 60 units of credit, which normally takes four semesters or two years.  State approved certificate programs, leading to an associate of science degree, require a minimum of 18 units, but vary in number of units required; most can be completed in two semesters.  Locally approved certificates lead to employment.  Each course required for the certificate must be completed with a "C" grade or better. All can be counted toward the degree as well as the major.

Who Can Enroll in career and technical Programs?

Individuals wishing to enroll at Riverside Community College may file an official application in the Admissions and Records Office located on any of the College’s three campuses or they can complete an application online at www.rcc.edu.  Admission to Riverside Community College is regulated by state law as prescribed in the California Education Code.

The Admissions and Records Office at the Riverside City Campus and the Student Services offices at the Moreno Valley and Norco campuses are responsible for admitting and registering students. The Admissions and Records Office at the Riverside City Campus is located in the César E. Chavez Admissions and Counseling Building next to the Martin Luther King Center and Landis Auditorium. The telephone number is (951) 222-8600.

Once you have submitted your admission application online or to one of RCC's three campuses and have completed any requirements for assessment, orientation and group counseling, you can register by phone or through our online registration. The telephone registration system, called "Tiger Talk" and the online registration system called "Web Advisor" are easy and convenient ways to register for any class offered at RCC.

Need for specialized training

Many find it difficult to secure employment or to advance to increased responsibility and better-paying jobs without specialized training.  General education has its value but in the early stages of one's career, it is the specific technical skills that an employer seeks.  The certificate is the best evidence that this specialized training has been secured, some employers actually require it as a condition of employment or for reclassification for higher pay.

Riverside campus

The Riverside Campus is the oldest campus of RCCD and serves the largest amount of the student population out of the three campuses.  The Riverside campus is home to the Cosmetology, Nursing, Air Conditioning, Automotive Technology, Graphics Technology, and the Welding Technology Programs.

Moreno Valley Campus

The Moreno Valley Campus offers many of RCCD's allied health programs.  Students who are interested in pursuing a career in the allied health field should consider taking courses at the Moreno Valley campus.  The Moreno Valley campus offers many quality occupational programs dealing with the field of denstistry including programs in dental assisting, hygiene, and laboratory technology.  The Moreno Valley campus also offers the EMT program as well as the physician assistant and medical assisting programs. The Community Interpretation and Human Services degree programs are also offered at the Moreno Valley campus.

Norco campus

The Norco Campus is home to many of the programs in industrial and engineering techology.  Architecture, Drafting, Electronics, Engineering, and Manufacturing Technology are some of the programs offered at the Norco Campus.  Students who are interested in obtaining a degree in one of these programs should consider taking courses at the Norco Campus.

open campus

More than a place, Open Campus is the Riverside Community College District's virtual college campus.  Open Campus provides distance learning for over 20,000 students per year along with training and support for online instruction.

From online courses taken entirely over the internet to hybrid courses with classroom meetings and online assignments and even telecourses given via television and supported with on campus seminars, Open Campus has an option that will fit your busy shedule and meet your needs.

Find out how easy it can be to go to college with Open Campus.

Learning centers

Riverside Community College also has several learning centers where students can take classes that are also offered at the main campus or focus on a specific specialized training program.

Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center

The Ben Clark center is designed as a training center for students who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or fire or other emergency response development.

Click here to view the Ben Clark website.

Culinary Academy

The culinary academy is home to RCCD's culinary arts program.

Click here to view website.

Learning Centers

Click here for further information on the RCCD learning centers.

How to get further information

Many occupational programs are described in special publications of the college.  These can often be obtained from high school counseling offices or prospective students may write or telephone the college:

RCC Department of Occupational Education

4800 Magnolia Avenue

Riverside, CA 92506-1299

(951) 222-8963