Rock Valley College has developed career and technical programs in response to employment needs of the college’s district. All 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, Rock Valley College has established articulation agreements with a number of colleges and universities, and many Associate in Applied Science degrees may transfer. If transferring to a four-year college or university is your goal, consult with your Academic Advisor, the Dean, or the 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 demonstrates that the student possesses the competence required 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 include both specific program requirements and general education core course requirements. The general education requirements typically 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 share a common set of foundational knowledge and skills. There are 16 nationally recognized clusters, each containing multiple career pathways. Career and Technical Education Programs of Study are aligned with these clusters and lead to employment in high-demand industries.
Additional information about the Career Clusters initiative is available through
CareerTech.org.
Career education certificate programs are developed and offered in areas where job-entry training and educational requirements can typically be completed in less than two years. These short-term programs are an excellent option for students seeking to gain skills for employment quickly.
Certificates may be offered either as part of career education degree programs or as stand-alone credentials.
Upon successful completion of certificate requirements, students must complete an application for the certificate with an Academic, Career, and Transfer Advisor and submit it 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 determines that a Rock Valley College graduate does not possess appropriate entry-level skills included in the degree or certificate curriculum, and can specify such deficiencies, may request that the student be permitted to retake specific course(s) 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
Computers and Information Systems
Computers and Information Systems (CIS)
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice (CRM)
Associate in Applied Science #7800
Limited Transferability
Criminal Justice Program Website
Cybersecurity Specialist
Cybersecurity Specialist (PCT)
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
Human Services Generalist Certificate
Human Services (HSR)
Human Services Generalist Certificate #5303
The Human Services Program at Rock Valley College is guided by philosophy rooted in the principles of community engagement, social responsibility, and the empowerment of individuals and communities. Our program is committed to preparing students to be compassionate, skilled, and culturally competent professionals who make a positive impact on the well-being of those we serve.
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
Mass Communication (COM)
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
Medical Coding Certificate
Medical Coding (HLT)
Medical Coding Certificate #2605
Network System Administration
Network System Administration (PCT)
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, 14, and 16 weeks
Limited Transfer & Limited Enrollment
Nursing Program Website: RockValleyCollege.edu/CNA
Phlebotomy Technician
Phlebotomy Technician (PLB)
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
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
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
Welding (WLD)
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
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