2025-2026 College Catalog

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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, provided 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. Some colleges and universities may conduct a course-by-course examination of work completed at Rock Valley College and may require students to complete additional general education courses at their institution. Students should work with Academic and Transfer Advisors, Career Services, or Career and Technical Education faculty, along with transfer institutions, to build a transfer degree program appropriate for their goals. 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 earning an A.A. or A.S. degree will find that Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)–approved courses are accepted by most baccalaureate institutions. Transferring without completing the general education core curriculum may require students to complete general education requirements at the four-year institution.

Transferring from RVC

The Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office at Rock Valley College provides information about transferring to baccalaureate institutions. For successful transfer, the following guidelines are recommended for all students who plan to transfer:

  1. Investigate possible career paths through the Career Services, Advising, and Placement Office at (815) 921-4100 using labor market information and career interest surveys.
  2. Plan course selection at Rock Valley College with general education and introductory transfer courses in mind. The Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office at (815) 921-4100 can assist with course selection. Transfer guides for many baccalaureate institutions are available. Because transfer requirements change frequently, students should verify all transfer information directly with the receiving college or university. Transcript information is available through RVC Transcripts.
  3. Review examples of transfer program course guides available in department offices and on the college website.
  4. Visit the Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office at (815) 921-4100 to access available resources, including internet access, college and career search programs, applications, college catalogs, and related materials.
  5. Research potential colleges and universities, including academic programs, entrance requirements, costs, application and transcript deadlines, and housing requirements.
  6. Study, as admission to a college or university is based in part on the Rock Valley College grade point average (GPA). Many students compete for limited seats in popular programs, and GPA may affect available options.
  7. Visit campuses when possible. Virtual tours are available online, and many college representatives visit Rock Valley College for College Night and other events throughout the year. The college visit schedule is available on the Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising Office web page.
  8. Apply for graduation through Records and Registration at the beginning of the final semester at Rock Valley College. Students must apply for graduation even if they do not plan to attend the commencement ceremony.
  9. When applying, send the Rock Valley College transcript to the transfer institution through Self Service using RVC Transcripts. Students should request transcripts after grades are posted for each completed semester.