2025-2026 College Catalog

Career and Technical Education Programs

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degrees

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.

Requirements for the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree

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.

Requirements for all A.A.S. Degrees include:

  1. Completion of one of the career education curricula listed in this catalog, including a minimum of 60 semester credits. Courses numbered from 100 through 299 can be used toward the 60 semester credits.
  2. Students can only use a maximum of four (4) credits of 100-level (activity-based) FWS credits. These courses are repeatable.
  3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 cumulative (“C” average on a 4.0 scale).
  4. Since the Summer of 1999, students must receive grades of “C” or better in ENG-101 and ENG-103 (if ENG-103 is required for the program). A grade of “C” or better is also required if a student completes MGT-170 (formerly ENG-105).
  5. Successful completion of at least 15 semester credits at RVC.

Perkins Programs of Study & Career Clusters

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.

Requirements for Certificates

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.

Requirements for all Certificates include:

  1. For certificates with less than 30 credit hours, a minimum grade of “C” is required in each course required in the certificate.
  2. For certificates of 30 or greater credit hours, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” on a 4.0 scale) is required.
  3. Substitution of appropriate, approved courses may be made in certificates to a maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours in the respective certificate.
  4. Successful completion of a minimum of one-half the credits of the Certificate at RVC. Note: Certificate residency credits will exclude AP, CLEP, and proficiency credits.

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.

Career Education Guarantee

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:

  1. Network Administration A.A.S. (also has three certificate-level programs) and
  2. Cybersecurity Specialist A.A.S. (also has certificate-level programs).
  3. 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