Rock Valley College has developed career and technical programs in response to employment needs of the college’s district. All of the career programs have been developed in cooperation with program advisory committees. Upon successful completion of a career program, students will receive an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree or a Certificate. Although these programs are not primarily designed for transfer to a four- year institution, RVC has established articulation agreements with a number of colleges and universities and many Associate of Applied Science degrees may transfer. If transferring to a four-year college or university is your goal, please consult with your Academic Advisor, the Dean, or Academic Chair of the career program.
The Associate in Applied Science Degree is awarded to students who successfully complete a career and technical education curriculum. Attainment of this degree is evidence that the student possesses the competence for entry-level employment in their field of study. An Associate in Applied Science Degree usually requires two years for full-time students. Part-time students may complete the degree over a longer period of time.
All technical curricula leading to the Associate in Applied Science Degree have both specific program and general education core course requirements. The general education requirements typically will include a minimum of 15 semester credit hours.
Rock Valley College, in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Community College Board, has adopted the national Career Cluster Framework. This initiative complements other state level efforts to enhance workforce and career development.
Career Clusters are groups of occupations and industries that have in common a set of foundational knowledge and skills. There are 16 nationally recognized clusters and within are multiple Career Pathways. Career and Technical Education Programs of Study are aligned with these clusters and lead to employment in high-demand industries. For more information about the Career Clusters initiative visit: CareerTech.org.
Career education certificate programs are developed and offered in areas where job-entry training and educational requirements usually can be met in less than two years. These short-term programs are excellent options for the student who is interested in quickly gaining skills for employment.
A number of certificates are offered either as part of career education degree programs or stand-alone certificates.
Upon successful completion of the requirements for a specific certificate, an application for the certificate must be completed with an Academic, Career, and Transfer Advisor and submitted to the Records and Registration Office.
Rock Valley College guarantees that career education graduates will perform competently in positions for which their degrees or certificates are intended. An employer who perceives that a Rock Valley College graduate does not possess appropriate entry-level skills encompassed in the degree or certificate curriculum, and can specify such deficiencies, may request that the student be permitted to retake a specific course or courses up to nine (9) credit hours without additional tuition and fee charges.
Accounting
Accounting (ATG)
Associate in Applied Science #2000
Program Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/Accounting
Accounting/Income Tax Fundamentals Certificate #2011
Professional Bookkeeper Certificate #2020
Program Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/Accounting
Automotive Service Technology
Automotive Service Technology (ATM)
Associate in Applied Science #7100
Automotive Service Technology Program Website
Automotive Technician Certificate #7101
Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Certificate #7112
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aviation Maintenance Technology (AVM)
Associate in Applied Science #7200
Aviation Maintenance Technology Program Website
Aviation Maintenance Certificate #7201
Airframe Technician Certificate #7202
Powerplant Technician Certificate #7203
Business Administration
Business Administration (BUS)
Associate in Applied Science #2100
Business Administration Program Website
Computer Careers
Computers & Information Systems (CIS)
Network System Administration (PCT)
Cybersecurity Specialist (PCT)
Associate in Applied Science - Computers & Information Systems #2700
Computer Information Systems Program Website
C/C++ Programming Certificate #2735
Personal Computer Technical Specialist - PCT
The Personal Computer Technical Specialist area describes a series of specialized computer-related degree programs in some of the most in-demand career fields. They include:
- Network Administration A.A.S. (also has three certificate-level programs) and
- Cybersecurity Specialist A.A.S. (also has certificate-level programs).
- Web Programming and Design A.A.S. (also has two certificate-level programs).
For information on these A.A.S. degrees and certificates, please see program information elsewhere in the Career & Technical Education section.
Associate in Applied Science - Network System Administration #3750
Network System Administration Program Website
Cisco Networking Certificate #3720
Microsoft Server Admin. Certificate #3725
Network Technician Certificate #3730
Associate in Applied Science - Cybersecurity Specialist #3775
Cybersecurity Specialist Program Website
Cybersecurity Technician Certificate #3778
Advanced Cybersecurity Technician Certificate #3779
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice (CRM)
Associate in Applied Science #7800
Limited Transferability
Criminal Justice Program Website
Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygiene (DNT)
Associate in Applied Science #5100
Limited Transferability
Dental Hygiene Program Website
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Associate in Applied Science #5500
Early Childhood Education Program Website
Early Childhood Educator Certificate #5501
Gateways Level 3 Credential
Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certificate #5511
Gateways Level 2 Credential
Electronic Engineering Technology
Electronic Engineering Technology (EET)
Associate in Applied Science #8400
Electronic Engineering Technology Program Website
Basic Electronics Certificate #8414
Fire Science
Fire Science (FRE)
Associate in Applied Science #7500
Limited Transferability
Fire Science Program Website
Basic Operations Firefighter Certificate #7501
Foundation of the Fire Service Certificate #7521
Emergency Medical Technician Certificate #7535
Fitness, Wellness, and Sport
Fitness, Wellness, & Sport (FWS)
Associate in Applied Science #9000
Fitness, Wellness, Sport Program Website
The Fitness, Wellness, and Sport (FWS) degree in Exercise Science or Sport Management provides students with the educational and practical experiences needed to obtain employment in sport, recreation, exercise, or fitness organizations. All students learn about the psychological, sociological and historical aspects of sport and exercise. Students interested in the Exercise Science option complete coursework focusing on the scientific aspects of human performance. Students interested in the Sport Management option complete coursework focusing on the business, marketing, promotions, programming and facilities aspects of sport and exercise. The A.A.S. degree in FWS can be completed in as little as two years.
Coaching Education Certificate #9010
(IHSA Coaching Certification program)
The FWS Coaching Education certificate program is an IHSA- approved Coaching Certification program. Successful completion of these courses satisfies the minimum IHSA coaching certification requirements.
Personal Training Certificate #9020
(NSCA Education Recognition Program)
The FWS Personal Training certificate program is a National Strength & Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) Education Recognition Program. Successfully completing this certificate program will prepare students to take the NSCA’s Certified Personal Trainer exam.
Graphic Arts Technology Career Programs
Graphic Arts Technology (GAT)
Associate in Applied Science - Graphic Design #8225
Graphic Arts Technology Program Website
Prepress Certificate #8201
Associate in Applied Science - Cross Media Production #8250
Graphic Arts Technology Program Website
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MET)
Associate in Applied Science #8800
Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program Website
CAD Certificate #8810
CNC Certificate #8820
Basic Quality Certificate #8830
Certified Manufacturing Associate Certificate #8840
Mass Communication Certificates
Media Production Specialist Certificate (MPS) #3950
Multimedia Journalist Certificate (MMJ) #3975
Mass Communication Program Website
Mechatronics
Mechatronics (MEC)
Associate in Applied Science #8700
Mechatronics Program Website
Fundamentals of Mechatronics Certificate #8710
Advanced Mechatronics Certificate #8711
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistant (MDA)
Associate in Applied Science #5700
Medical Assistant Program Website
Nursing Programs
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Associate in Applied Science #5400
ADN Program Length: 4 semesters – core nursing
Limited Transfer & Limited Enrollment
Nursing Program Website
Nursing Aide Certificate (CNA) #5411
Program Length: 8 weeks or 16 weeks
Limited Transfer & Limited Enrollment
Nursing Program Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/CNA
Office Professional
Office Professional (OFF)
The Office Professional Program prepares students for work in office environments where knowledge of office procedures, software/hardware, administrative, and interpersonal skills are required to perform duties.
Graduates of this program exhibit strong communication, interpersonal skills; they are flexible and professional. In addition they possess excellent keyboarding, document formatting skills, and advanced software application skills. Graduates completing this program may be expected to supervise clerical staff.
Medical Coding Certificate #2605
Phlebotomy Technician
Phlebotomy Technician Certificate (PLB) #5605
Program Length: Two options: Accelerated Option: 16 weeks
Extended Option: 24 weeks
Phlebotomy Technician Program Website
Respiratory Care Program
Respiratory Care Program (RSP)
Associate in Applied Science #5200
Limited Transferability
Respiratory Care Program Website
Supply Chain Management Certificates
Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management Certificate (SCM) #2102
Supply Chain Management Program Website
Advanced Supply Chain Management Certificate (SCM) #2103
Supply Chain Management Program Website
Web Programming and Design
Web Programming & Design (WEB)
Associate in Applied Science #3900
Web Programming & Design Program Website
The Computers & Information Systems Department also offers degrees in programming and networking. For information on these A.A.S. degrees, please see the Computer and Information Systems and the Personal Computer Technical Specialist programs elsewhere in this catalog.
Web Development Certificate #3901
Web Design Certificate #3902
Welding Certificates
Advanced Welding Certificate (WLD) #8218
Welding Program Website
Industrial Welding Certificate (WLD) #8219
Welding Program Website
Apprenticeship Programs
Electrician Apprenticeship (ELC)
Associate in Applied Science #9900
Transferable Degree
Electrician Apprenticeship Program Website
Electrician Apprenticeship Certificate #9913
Tool and Die/Precision Machinist Apprenticeship Certificate #9919
Tool & Die Apprenticeship Program Website
The tool and die maker/precision machinist apprentice makes the devices used by machinists for mass-produced parts. Tool and die makers are among the most skilled of all machinery workers.
Apprentices learn to make the gauges and measuring devices in manufacturing precision metal parts. They are also taught to construct metal forms used to shape metal stamping and forging operations. This is a four-year program.
Apprenticeship Organizations
Electricians
Rockford Area Electricians Joint Apprenticeship Committee
Attn: Greg Cote
619 South Rock Drive
Rockford, IL 61102
(815) 969-8484
Tool and Die/Precision Machinist
Rock River Valley Tooling and Machining Association
Attn: Dutch Hinck
P.O. Box 5029
Rockford, IL 61125
(815) 985-8582
Fax: (815) 516-8431
For further information contact:
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training
Administration Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training
Attn: Ms. Ronda Kliman, Area Representative
308 W. State Street, Suite 403
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 987-4253
Fax: (815) 987-4214
Rock Valley College
Dean of Career Technical Education
Attn:Dominick Squicciarini
3301 N. Mulford Road
Rockford, IL 61114-5699
(815) 921-3174
Fax: (815) 921-3189