Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois

Academics

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Whether your plan is to take classes and transfer to a four-year university or enter one of our career programs designed to get you into the workforce right away, Rock Valley College has what you are looking for. Select from one of our more than 60 transfer areas or more than 30 career programs.

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Course Listing Check out a comprehensive list of courses offered at RVC...

Admission

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At Rock Valley College, you're not just a number. Our highly respected faculty have master's degrees, doctorates and real-world experience. You won't be competing for attention in a huge lecture hall. Our average class size is 21, so you'll get a chance to interact, challenge and be challenged by your instructors.

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Get Started! Find out how to get started at RVC! We make it easy for you to pursue your goals...

Student Life

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Have fun. Try stuff. RVC gives you opportunities to get involved. There are lots of student activities to choose from. We offer more than 20 clubs and organizations. Try your hands at student government. Join the staff of our campus newspaper. What's it going to be?

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Get Engaged! Join a club, attend events, become a student leader. What's your passion?

Student Services

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Whether you are new to the college or know your way around, we have a variety of services designed to help you succeed. We're here for you every step of the way.

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How can we help? Our focus is on student success. We're here to ensure you reach your goals.

Athletics

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RVC competes in NJCAA Division III in men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, golf, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis. Not to brag, but we're pretty good at it. Our teams have won seven national championships and we have had more than 100 All-Americans.

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Golf Outing Play in the RVC Golf Classic on June 14! Click to learn more...

Library

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The Estelle M. Black Library at Rock Valley College features nearly 75,000 volumes and more than 650 periodicals, and access to the interlibrary loan system. It also features spaces for individual and group study, and if you get thirsty, there's a coffee shop in the lobby!

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Library Catalog Search our online catalog.

Developmental Reading

Developmental courses in reading are intended for those students who are not quite ready academically for college level courses. To meet the demands of college level reading, Developmental Reading courses offer opportunities for students to build background knowledge, improve vocabulary, and build study skills and test taking abilities. Upon successful completion, students will be ready for college-level courses. 

Placement in Developmental Reading courses is determined by placement testing. The English classes in which students may enroll in addition to Developmental Reading are listed under Composition and Literature.

For additional information regarding reading courses, contact the division office (815) 921-3338.

Course Descriptions (RDG)

RDG-080
Basic Reading Skills
IAI: None
Basic Reading Skills helps students improve their reading skills to the level necessary for entrance to Reading 096. Emphasis is on vocabulary development, comprehension, and study strategies.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 5 semester hours
Lecture: 5 Lab: 0

RDG-092
Reading for Bilingual Students
IAI: None
Reading for Bilingual Students is designed for students whose first language is not English. The intent of the course is to help students improve their reading skills in English to the level necessary to succeed in RDG 099. The course will focus on comprehension, vocabulary improvement and the ability to select skills and strategies approproate to a specific reading task. Pleacement based on entrance assessment scores.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 4 semester hours
Lecture: 4 Lab: 0

RDG-096
Essentials of Reading
IAI: None
Essentials of Reading is intended to help students improve their reading skills to the level necessary for entrance to Reading 099. Emphasis is on improvement of vocabulary, comprehension, study strategies, and time management.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 4 semester hours
Lecture: 4 Lab: 0

RDG-099
Reading for Academic Purposes
IAI: None
Reading for Academic Purposes emphasizes the development of reading strategies to enhance the comprehension and critical thinking of college-level material. Topics include vocabulary development, extracting implied meaning, drawing conclusions, and analyzing college texts. Placement is according to entrance assessment. RDG 099 may also be taken on a voluntary basis for students who did not test into the reading program. Prerequiste: None Credits: 4 semester hours Lecture: 4 Lab: 0

RDG-101
College Reading
IAI: None
College Reading focuses on reading flexibility, critical reading techniques, lecture processing skills, and test cycle evaluation. The course includes developing time management skills and applying study skills to individual student's college course material.
Prerequisite: Placement is voluntary to students who are not mandated into RDG 080, 096, 099. This course is highly recommended for students who have marginal assessment scores, are on academic probation, or need to develop successful study strategies.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Lecture: 2 Lab: 0