Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)
Rock Valley College is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide articulation effort to help Illinois college students transfer credit more easily between more than 100 participating Illinois colleges and universities. One of the main features of the IAI is the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) which is a list of general education courses that have been articulated statewide and will be accepted for transfer by all participating colleges and universities in Illinois.
Completion of the GECC at any participating institution in Illinois assures transferring students that general education requirements for an Associate of Arts have been satisfied upon transfer to another participating institution. Students who wish to transfer to four-year colleges and universities are advised to complete an Associate Degree. Keep in mind, the IAI General Education transfers as a “package.” Course-to-course transfer credit is not guaranteed.
Students who have 30 semester credits of college-level coursework can transfer to an IAI participating institution and have the option of completing the institution’s lower-division general education requirements, or complete the IAI GECC. The receiving institution may require transfer students to complete institution-wide and/or mission related graduation requirements beyond the scope of the IAI GECC.
The IAI is a powerful tool for students. General and detailed information about the IAI as well as the most current list of participating schools can be found online at: iTransfer.org.
General Education Core Curriculum (GECC)
The requirements for an Associate Degree (A.A. or A.S.) at Rock Valley College consists of a minimum of 64 credit hours taken from three components:
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General education core curriculum
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Additional degree requirements
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Baccalaureate-oriented courses taken in the major/minor, and electives
The IAI GECC of 37-41 credits for an Associate of Arts, or 31-35 credits for an Associate in Science, consists of courses that colleges and universities consider essential for students’ success in college and life. The GECC requires study in the following areas:
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
Communications.....................9 credits
Mathematics...........................3-6 credits
Physical and Life Sciences.....7-8 credits
Humanities and Fine Arts........9 credits
Social Sciences.......................9 credits
ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE
Communications......................9 credits
Mathematics............................3-6 credits
Physical and Life Sciences .....7-8 credits
Humanities and Fine Arts.........6 credits
Social Science.........................6 credits
POST-TRANSFER...................6 credits
Courses taken at either the Transfer Institution or taken at RVC: one course from Humanities or Fine Arts and one course from Social and Behavioral Sciences.
RVC Education Guarantee Program
University Transfer Guarantee
Rock Valley College guarantees that courses approved for transfer to another college will be honored either as program requirements or electives. If transfer courses are not accepted after all provisions of the University Transfer Credit Guarantee are followed, the college will allow the student to take additional Rock Valley College courses up to the number of credits not transferred without charge for tuition and fees.
EACH STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Complete a minimum of 64 credit hours of 100 level courses or above that also meet the requirements of the General Education Core Curriculum.
- Achieve a cumulative 2.0 (C) GPA in all 100/200 level courses attempted at Rock Valley College.
- Meet residency requirements by earning a minimum of 15 semester hours of 100/200 level at Rock Valley College.
Students must submit an application for graduation approved by an Academic Advisor to the Records and Registration Office, on second floor of Student Center, by the dates listed below.
March 1 – Last day to apply for Spring graduation
June 1 – Last day to apply for Summer graduation
October 1 – Last day to apply for Fall graduation
Transferring
About Transferring
Students who earn the Associate of Arts or Associate in Science (A.A. or A.S.) degrees at Rock Valley College before transferring may be granted junior standing by many baccalaureate institutions considering the general education requirements are completed. Transfer students should check early with their transfer institutions and advisors to ensure they are meeting ALL requirements specific to each individual institution. A few colleges/universities may do a course-by-course examination of work from Rock Valley College, and could expect students to complete some general education courses at their institution. Students should work together with Academic and Transfer Advisors, Career Services, or Career & Technical Education Faculty along with transfer institutions to build a transfer degree program appropriate for them. As a general rule, earning an A.A. or A.S. degree is an excellent strategy for transfer.
Students who decide to transfer to another college in Illinois before they earn an A.A. or A.S. degree will find that IAI-approved courses will be accepted by most baccalaureate institutions. Transferring without completing the general education core curriculum may mean that students must complete the general education requirements at the four-year institution.
Transferring from RVC
The Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office at Rock Valley College offers information about transferring to baccalaureate institutions. For successful transfer, the following guidelines are recommended for all students who plan to transfer:
- Investigate possible career paths at the Career Services, Advising, and Placement Office at (815) 921-4100, through labor market information and career interest surveys.
- Plan RVC course selection with general education and introductory transfer courses in mind. The Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office, (815) 921-4100, can assist in course selection. Transfer guides for many baccalaureate institutions are available. Because transfer requirements change frequently, verify all transfer information directly with the college/university. For more information, go to:RockValleyCollege.edu/Transcripts.
- Review examples of transfer program course guides available in various department offices and/or on the college website.
- Visit the Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office, (815) 921-4100, to see available resources: internet access, college- career search programs, applications, college catalogs, and more.
- Research possible colleges/universities’ academic programs, entrance requirements, costs, deadlines for applications and transcript submission, and housing requirements.
- Study since admittance to a college/university is based in part on the Rock Valley College grade point average (GPA) – it pays to study. Many students are competing for limited seats in popular areas of study; your GPA can either limit or broaden career options.
- Visit campuses as time and resources permit. Virtual tours are available on the Internet. Many college representatives also come to campus for “College Night” and throughout the year. The “college visit schedule” is available at the Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office web page.
- Apply for graduation at Records and Registration at the beginning of your last semester at Rock Valley College. Even students who are not planning to attend the graduation ceremony need to apply for graduation.
- When applying, send the RVC transcript to the transfer institution via Online Services at: RockValleyCollege.edu/Transcripts. Request transcript to be sent after each semester a grade is posted at RVC.
NIU & RVC Engineering Partnership
Rockford-area companies need local talent to fill a growing number of skilled jobs in engineering and technology. Business leaders and the community are putting their support behind NIU Engineering at RVC, a revolutionary new program that began in Fall 2016 that lets you earn a Northern Illinois University (NIU) bachelor’s degree while attending Rock Valley College (RVC).
Students who earn their Associate Degree in Engineering Science (AES) or Associate of Science (AS), along with the appropriate prerequisite courses, are able to earn a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from NIU without having to leave the RVC main campus. Area businesses provide internship opportunities, mentoring, and interviews for job openings.
Similarly, students who earn their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) with appropriate prerequisite courses can earn a B.S. in Technology with emphasis in Applied Manufacturing Technology online from NIU. Students take RVC classes during their first two years of the program and then a combination of RVC classes and NIU classes online during the second two years.
For more information, please visit: RockValleyCollege.edu/RVCNIU
Guaranteed Admission Agreement
Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offer guaranteed admission to eligible RVC students. Students must meet minimum credit completion and GPA requirements to be considered for guaranteed admission pathways. These guaranteed admission programs guarantee admission to the university, not to limited admission or competitive programs, such as nursing.
For more information, contact the Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office at (815) 921-4100.
Rockford Ready Agreements
Rock Valley College and Rockford University have partnered to offer degree completion programs for students who complete an A.A.S. degree at RVC and then transfer to Rockford University to complete a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (BSMS). Traditionally, an A.A.S. degree does not transfer, but this program allows students to transfer career- focused degrees, such as an A.A.S. in Business Administration, into the program. Upon completion of the A.A.S. degree, students can earn their bachelor’s degree in as little as 24 months through a combination of hybrid and online courses.
A similar agreement would allow students who graduate with an A.A.S. in Computer Science from Rock Valley College to transfer to Rockford University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with an emphasis in Management Information Systems.
Reverse Transfer Credit
Reverse transfer credit is a program designed for students who attended a community college and then transferred to a university without earning their associate’s degree. Credits successfully completed at a university may be transferable back to your community college and used to determine if these courses will satisfy any remaining degree requirements for your associate’s degree. This is similar to the process on how credits transferred from your community college to a university – just in reverse. The community college will evaluate your university work and determine if credits taken at the University will fulfill any and all remaining requirements for your associate’s degree. All Illinois public universities and Rockford University participate in this partnership with Rock Valley College.
Baccalaureate Completion / Transfer Agreement
In addition to the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) with the state universities for students who complete transfer degrees at Rock Valley College, the college also has written agreements with several baccalaureate completion institutions. It is the transfer students’ responsibility to ensure that all course requirements are met by communicating with the chosen four-year institution prior to transferring. Students may also contact these institutions for more information about how they can finish their degree without leaving the Rock Valley College district.
Call the Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office at (815) 921-4100 for more information.
American InterContinental University
Career Education Corporation
Website: AIUniv.edu/Admissions/Documents-And-Resources
Attn: Educational Alliance Center
231 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173
(855) 377-1888
- Bachelor of Accounting
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Bellevue University
Website: Bellevue.edu/Community-College/index.aspx
Community College Partnerships
1000 Galvin Road South, Bellevue, NE 68005
(800) 756-7920
Beloit College
Website: Beloit.edu
(608) 363-2000
700 College Street, Beloit, WI 53511
Guaranteed Transfer Admission
Columbia College
Website: ccis.edu
1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216
(573) 875-8700 or (800) 231-2391
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
Website: ERAU.edu/Rockford
E-mail: Chicago.rockford.center@erau.edu
Franklin University/Online Campus
Website: Alliance.Franklin.edu
Columbus, OH
(888) 341-6237
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Health Services Administration
- Management Information System
- Public Safety Management
- Technical Administration
George Williams College-Aurora University
Website: Aurora.edu/GWC
350 Constance Boulevard, Williams Bay, WI 53191
(262) 245-8587
- Business
- Recreation
- Special Education
Governors State University
Website: GovSt.edu/
Website: GovSt.edu/cas
One University Parkway, Office of Admission
University Park, IL 60484 | (708) 534-4490
E-mail: gapply@GovSt.edu
B.A. in Communication with a Filmmaking and Multimedia Concentration
Herzing University
Associate Degree Recognition
Herzing.edu
5218 East Terrace Drive, Madison, WI 53718
(800) 596-0724
Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech)
Baccalaureate degree completion programs for the Adult Learner
Website: Registrar.IndianaTech.edu/Transfer-Agreements
1600 East Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46803
(800) 937-2448
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)
- Business Administration A.A.S.
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ)
- Criminal Justice A.A.S.
- Bachelor of Science in Child Development (BSCD)
- Early Childhood Education A.A.S.
- Bachelor of Science in Emergency Response Management (BSERM)
- Fire Science A.A.S.
Indiana Wesleyan University
Bachelor degree completion for Registered Nurses
Website: IndWes.edu
4201 S. Washington St., Marion, IN 46953
(765) 674-6901
- Nursing - R.N.-B.S.N. Completion Program
Judson College
Website: Judson.edu
Elgin, IL
(815) 399-3500 • (888) 537-6246
- Criminal Justice Management
- Human Services
- Human Resources Management
- Management and Leadership
- Management Technology Systems
Kaplan University
Website: cc.Kaplan.edu
(866) 583-4417
- Information Technology - Network Administration Business
National American University
Website: National.edu
Distance Learning
(800) 548-0602
- Applied Management
- Applied Information Technology
National Louis University
Website: NL.edu/t4/transfer/
Chicago, IL | (800) 443-5522
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Applied Behavioral Science
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- Healthcare Leadership
- Management
- Management Information Systems
Northern Illinois University - DeKalb, IL
Website: NIU.edu/OffCampusAcademics
(866) 885-1239 or call (800) 892-3050 for more information.
- Aviation Management Technology
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Homeland Security Certificates
- Industrial Management Technology
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Nursing - R.N.-B.S.N. Completion Program
- Health and Human Sciences
- Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems
- Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)
- A.A.S. - Dental Hygiene
- A.A.S. - Fire Science
- A.A.S. - Respiratory Care
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
- A.A.S. - Fitness, Wellness & Sport - Exercise Science track
In addition, offered at NIU-Rockford on East State Street:
- Business Administration Bachelor Degree
Offered by NIU on the RVC Main Campus:
- A.A.S. - Engineering & Technology
- A.E.S. - Associate in Engineering Science
- B.S. - Applied Manufacturing Technology
- B.S. - Electrical Engineering
- B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Olivet Nazarene University
School of Graduate and Continuing Studies
Website: Olivet.edu
One University Avenue, Bourbonnais, IL 60914-2345
(800) 648-1463 • (815) 939-5011
- Nursing - R.N.-B.S.N. Completion Program
- PURSUE ONU - RVC Associate Degree to
ONU Bachelor’s Degree Program Completion
- Criminal Justice
- Business Administration
- Applied Science in Management
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Website: Palmer.edu
Davenport, IA
(800) 722-3648
- Bachelor of Science in General Science
Rasmussen College
Website: Rasmussen.edu
6000 E. State Street, Fourth Floor, Rockford, IL 61108
(815) 316-4800
Online or On-Campus
Rockford University
Website: Rockford.edu
5050 E. State Street, Rockford, IL 61108
(815) 226-4000
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science in Management Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Sports Management
Roosevelt University
College of Pharmacy
Website: Roosevelt.edu/Colleges/Pharmacy
1400 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Schaumburg, IL
(847) 619-7300
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
Website: SACN.edu
3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61114
(815) 395-5091
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- RN - BSN Completion Program
Saint Leo University/Online Campus
Website: Online.SaintLeo.edu
Tampa, Florida
(888) 622-7344
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Computer Information Systems
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Website: Aviation.SIUC.edu
Department of Aviation Management and Flight
College of Applied Sciences and Arts
Mailcode 6623, Carbondale, IL 62901-6623
(618) 453-8898 or (618) 453-1144
- Aviation Management
- Business A.A.S. to Bachelor of Science
- Fire Science A.A.S. to Bachelor of Science
- Public Safety Management (PSM)
The University of Phoenix/Online Campus
Website: Phoenix.edu
(602) 387-7000
- Business/Accounting • Information Technology
- Business/Administration • Management
- Business/e-Business • Marketing
- Business/Management
Transfer Articulation Agreement (Online)
- Associate of Applied Science/Respiratory Care to Bachelor of Science/Respiratory Therapy
University of Illinois-Chicago
(Rockford Global Campus)
Website: Global.uillinois.edu
510 Devonshire, Suite H, Champaign, IL 61820
(866) 896-3939
Email: gcadvisor@uillinois.edu
- Bachelors of Business Administration (B.B.A.)
- Bachelors of Nursing (B.S.N.)
- RN-BSN Completion Program
University of Illinois - Springfield
Website: UIS.edu
Dual Admission
2+2 Agreement Opportunities
- Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice, Computer Science, Political Science, & Social Work (2+2 agreement)
Online Bachelor Degrees in:
- Business Administration
- Economics
- English
- History
- Liberal Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Website: Illinois.edu
Dual Admission
2 + 2 Agreement
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Website: uwosh.edu
800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 424-1234
Articulation Course Agreement
Upper Iowa University - UIU Rockford
Website: UIU.edu/Transfer/RockValley
1161 Tebala Boulevard, Rockford, IL 61108
(800) 553-4150 • (815) 332-1414
E-mail: rockford@uiu.edu
- Course-to-Course Articulation Agreement
Western Illinois University
Website: WIU.edu/SES
Email: NP-BOT@WIU.edu
(309) 298-1929
Board of Trustees/Bachelor of Arts Degree (BOT/BA)
(Online degree program completion with no time limits)
Planning For Success
Transfer Planning
By carefully constructing an educational plan, students can select Rock Valley College courses for transfer to a variety of four-year colleges and universities. When a student has selected a transfer school, it is important that the student review that institution’s specific admission and course requirements. Transfer information can be obtained in the Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office.
STU 100 – Planning for Success
The STU 100 - Planning for Success course is required for all new students intending to pursue an A.A., A.S., or A.E.S. This one-credit course is transferable to four-year colleges and universities and will apply towards graduation at RVC. Students are strongly encouraged to take this course in their first or second semester.
Although recommended for students seeking an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree or for certificate-seeking students, it is not a requirement.
Specific Requirements for
A.A. & A.S. Degrees
Rock Valley College, like most other Illinois community colleges, has additional, specific degree requirements for the Associate of Arts (A.A.) transfer degree, and other requirements for the Associate in Science (A.S.) transfer degree; these are described in detail on the Planning for Success - Education Plan page of this College Catalog.
Majors & Elective Courses
At Rock Valley College, 16-20 elective credits for the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree and 15-18 credits for the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be used by students to explore a particular field of study or major.
Students should schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor to discuss course selection.
Students should also consult: iTransfer.org for up-to-date listings of Rock Valley College courses which will count in the majors at other Illinois colleges and universities.
Diversity & Non-Western Culture Courses
Some transfer institutions require a diversity or Non-Western course in their general education requirements. Students are encouraged to complete any diversity or Non-Western culture courses required by their intended transfer institution as part of their general education core at Rock Valley College.