Running head: COMMUNITY COLLEGE REPORT

Community College Report

Jamie Bigley
AET/555
January 19, 2015
Cynthia Jackson

COMMUNITY COLLEGE REPORT

Community College Report

In 1978 Rio Salado College began as part of the Maricopa Community College system.
Originally, they offered satellite classrooms in 180 facilities throughout the Phoenix area. Rio
Salado College first offered online classes in 1996. By 2006 the school had converted the bulk
of the schools classes to an online environment. The school is acknowledged as a frontrunner in
higher education advancement, specializing in online education and distance learning. (Rio
Salado, 2015).
Rio Salado College is based in Tempe, Arizona. This is where the administrative
headquarters is located. The college has 15 satellite locations in Maricopa County. Services and
operational hours vary by location. (Rio Salado, 2015).
The idea behind the satellite locations is to provide easy accessibility near to students
across the valley. The majority of class instruction is provided online.
Admissions and registration for new and returning students are online. Because Rio
Salado is part of Maricopa Community College District students must begin admissions on the
Maricopa website, http://mymaricopa.edu. The convenience of online registration offers students
the flexibility of completing the process on their schedule. The student can avoid standing in the
admissions office line with the expediency of an online format.
The online process itself is easy to complete. The website guides you step by step
through the process with an amazing help tool. The help tool includes online videos of each step
to show and explain the process to the student.
More than 60,000 students are enrolled at Rio Salado College. This includes online
students as well as registered satellite students. The student population ranges from high school
students looking to complete college courses simultaneously to senior citizens who love the act

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of learning.

Rio Salado College also provides educational services through its incarcerated re-

entry program. Programs such as GED as well as associate programs are available to inmates.
One of the many student services available at Rio Salado College is Academic
counseling. Understanding how to accomplish an education goal is as important as the
motivation a student needs to complete the goal. A counselor will review with the student their
goals and build an educational plan to help them fulfill it.
Another important service offered at the college is career services. Help and support is
available to develop job search skills involving resume writing, interview preparation, and plans
for networking. (Rio Salado, 2015).
Academic counseling and career services are generally offered at most community
colleges. One service that Rio Salado offers that is unique to the college is College Bridge
Pathways. College Bridge Pathways provides a bridge to college level courses. College Bridge
Pathways or CBP brings the student into school at their level.
According to the Rio Salado website the Rio Salado's College Bridge Pathways include:

High School Equivalency (HSE) Preparation - In-person and online classes are offered to
help students prepare to take the GED test. (Rio Salado, 2015).

Adult Basic Education (ABE) - In-person classes are provided for students who need to
complete their HSE diploma. These classes are at a pre-high school level. (Rio Salado,
2015).

Adult Secondary Education (ASE) - In-person classes for students who want to obtain a
HSE diploma. (Rio Salado, 2015).

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HSE Online Preparation Class These online classes provide both the ABE and ASE
levels prep needed to pass the HSE exam. (Rio Salado, 2015).

Adults Achieving a College Education (AACE) - Hybrid classes consisting off both inperson and online classes. This program is a scholarship-based college and career
preparation program for adults who want to complete a degree, certificate, or other
training program. (Rio Salado, 2015).

English Language Acquisition for Adults (ELAA) - In-person classes for legal residents
who are 16 years or older. The classes are for students who want to learn English as a
second language (Rio Salado, 2015).
CBP allows any adult the opportunity to get an education beginning at the students

learning level. As the student progresses through CBP they will build their confidence levels
as well as the needed momentum to achieve their educational goals.
The Higher Learning Commission accredits Rio Salado. The accreditation is generally
accepted at all college or university institution with the same level of accreditation. This
allows a student to transfer credits from Rio Salado to another accredited institution.
Rio Salado has a number of associate arts degree programs offered to their students. Here is
a list of the AA programs available according to Rio Salados website. (Rio Salado, 2015).

AAEE Elementary Education

ABus GR General Requirements

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ABus SR Special Requirements

AGEC A Liberal Arts

AGEC B - Business

AGEC S - Science

AGS Associate in General Studies

AS Associate in Science

Along with the associate degrees offered at Rio Salado College they have numerous
certificate programs as well as other degrees for a student to choose from. Here is a list of the
certificates offered according to Rio Salados website. (Rio Salado, 2015).

Accounting

Addictions and Substance Use Disorders

Adolescent Development

Adult Development and Aging

Advanced Computer Usage and Applications

Airline Operations

Community Dental Health Coordination

Child and Family Organizations Management and Administration

Child and Family Professional Development (AC)

Computer Technology

Computer Usage and Applications

Creative Writing (AC)

Dental Assisting

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Dental Hygiene (In-Person)

Dental Office Management

Digital Design

Early Childhood Administration and Management

Early Learning and Development

Energy Systems Technology

Entrepreneurial Studies

eLearning Design

eLearning Design for K-12

Family Child Care Management

Family Engagement Specialist

Family Life Education

General Business

Infant Toddler Development

Language/Literary Culture of the USA (AC)

Language Studies (AC)

Law Enforcement Technology

Military Leadership

Networking: Design and System Support

Organizational Management

Paralegal

Parent Education

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Education Programs

Programming

Professional Addictions Counseling

Public Administration

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Quality Customer Service

Retail Management

Small Business Start-Up

Spanish & Spanish Culture

Sustainability and Ecological Literacy

Sustainable Food Systems

Teacher Education

Teacher Endorsements

Teacher-in-Residence Programs

Undergraduate Pathway: Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) Teacher Certificate

Undergraduate Pathway: Early Childhood Administration

Web Design: User Interface

As a student in the Masters of Education program I hope to become an online instructor.

I have a love of technology and a passion to help people. Rio Salado College technology for
online programs and their passion for helping anyone wanting to get an education bring me
to this institution. I believe in what this school has done for our community and want to be a
part of it once my Masters program has been completed.

References:

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Rio Salado College. (2015). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Salado_College
Rio Salado College. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.riosalado.edu