Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois

Academics

Learn More

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.

» Degree Programs
» Certificate Programs
» Course Descriptions
» Course Schedules
» College Catalog
» Learning and Opportunity Center
» Stenstrom Center Offerings
» Faculty

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

Admission

Learn More

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.

» Visit Campus
» Getting Started
» For Adult Students
» For HS Counselors
» For Parents
» Financial Aid
» Educational Planning Sessions
» Records & Registration

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

Student Life

Learn More

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?

» Campus Activities Board
» Clubs and Organizations
» Get Engaged
» Goose Groups
» Student Government
» Social Media
» Hispanic HS Leadership Conference

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

Student Services

Learn More

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.

» Financial Aid
» Disability Support Services
» Career Services
» Academic and Transfer Advising
» First Year Experience
» Judicial Affairs
» Writing Center
» Tutoring Center

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

Athletics

Learn More

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.

» Athletics Home
» Athletics Staff
» Athletics News
» Schedules
» Booster Club
» Fitness, Wellness & Sport

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

Library

Learn More

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!

» Library Home Page
» Library Catalog (Classic)
» Library Catalog (Tomcat)
» Library Databases
» Library FAQs
» Research Guides
» Library Distance Learning Service

Library Catalog Search our online catalog.

Graduation

**IMPORTANT**

The annual Rock Valley College (RVC) Commencement Ceremony will be held Friday, May 17th at 6:00pm in the Physical Education Center (PEC).  Tickets are required for admittance to the ceremony.  Those without tickets may view the ceremony simultaneously in the Woodward Technology Center or at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rvc-grad.

The Graduates Reception will be held Friday, May 17th from 4:15 – 5:15pm in the Student Center.

Participants of the Commencement Ceremony are required to be in their line up locations in the PEC by 5:30pm.  In order to participate, students must have ordered a cap and gown through RVC and picked it up on May 2nd.

For additional information on the Commencement Ceremony, please click here. 

Spring diplomas and certificates will be posted to student records no later than June 14th.  Diplomas and certificates will be mailed from RVC to student homes no later than June 21st.

*Important Dates

1/11/13
 Degrees and Certificates posted to student transcripts for Fall 2012 completers 
1/18/13 Degrees and Certificates mailed from RVC to students 
3/1/13 Applications for Completion due for all spring 2013 degree and certificate completers 
3/1/13 Applications for Completion due for summer 2013 degree completers planning to participate in the May 2013 Commencement Ceremony.  (Summer degree applicants applying after March 1, 2013 will be invited to participate in the May 2014 Commencement Ceremony.) 
5/17/13 Commencement Ceremony at 6:00 pm in the PEC.  Information will be mailed during the first week of March to those planning on participating in the ceremony.
6/1/13
 Application for Completion due for all other summer 2013 degree and certificate completers.  Degree recipients will be invited to participate in the spring 2014 Commencement Ceremony.



Graduation Requirements

Each student planning to receive a degree or certificate is required to meet all of the following requirements in order to have the degree or certificate granted:

  1. Meet all program requirements for the degree or certificate being pursued.
  2. Receive a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 for all college-level coursework.
  3. A minimum of twenty (20) credit hours must be completed at Rock Valley College, if applying for a degree.
  4. Apply for graduation (completion) at the Records and Registration Office, top floor of the Student Center. Your application for graduation (completion) must be signed by an Academic Advisor.  Please make an appointment with your Advisor or visit the Academic Advising Open Lab on the top floor of the Student Center to obtain the signature.   

This must be done during the semester in which the student plans to complete program requirements, by the following deadlines:
Spring completion – apply by March 1
Summer completion – apply by June 1
Fall completion – apply by October 1

Graduation Documents

While it is required to meet with an advisor or program director prior to filing for graduation (completion), if you are unable to file for graduation (completion) in person at the Records and Registration Office, located at the top floor of the Student Center, please download the application for graduation (completion) and return to:

Download a Graduation Application:

Apply now for graduation!

Return completed form to:

Rock Valley College
Records & Registration Office
3301 N. Mulford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61114 Ph: 815-921-4250 Fax: 815-921-4269


Commencement Ceremony

Rock Valley College holds one commencement ceremony each May, held on the main campus. This ceremony is for degree-seeking students only. All students who will complete graduation requirements by the end of the spring semester, or the summer semester immediately following the ceremony, as well as those students who completed their requirements during the previous summer or fall semesters, are invited to participate in this commencement ceremony.

Students planning to participate in this ceremony must file for graduation by the deadline for spring completion, March 1. Potential graduates will be notified of cap and gown pick up, along with other pertinent graduation information, during the spring semester. Students will indicate on the application for graduation of their intent to participate in this ceremony; therefore, only those students that have indicated their intent to participate will be sent information on graduation.

Please note: Degrees are not issued to students during the commencement ceremony. All earned degrees and certificates will be mailed to students four weeks after the end of the semester in which the student filed and completed.

View the list of RVC Degrees and Certificates.

RVC Graduates