Richland Community College (RCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Richland Community College is a comprehensive community college serving the residents of Macon County and parts of DeWitt, Piatt, Logan, Christian, Moultrie, Sangamon, and Shelby Counties. The college was established in the year 1971 as the Community College of Decatur. The first classes of the college were held in 1972 in the former Millikin National Bank Building on North Water Street. In 1975, with the expansion of the college’s districts, it was renamed as Richland Community College. The college eventually moved to its present campus at One College Park, Decatur and the first classes at the new campus were held in 1988.

The present campus of the college is spread over an area of 155 acres and features the Horticulture/Agriculture/Maintenance Facility, Shilling Community Education Center, Kitty Lindsay Learning Resources Center (LRC), Mueller Student Center, Scherer Industrial Technology Center, Schrodt Health Education Center, and the Dwayne O. Andreas Agribusiness Education Center. The college has a total annual enrollment of 7,600 students.

Richland Community College is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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Information Summary

Ranks 65th in Illinois and 2018th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	63.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$5,730
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	67% / 43%
Enrollment Total (all students)	2,476

Academics

Richland Community College offers academic/transfer programs, technical, and life enrichment training programs for the students.

Transfer Programs

Richland Community College offers the Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Engineering Science (A.E.S.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.), Associate in Liberal Studies (A.L.S.), and Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree programs for students who eventually want to transfer to a four year university or college for pursuing the baccalaureate degrees. The college offers the Associate in Arts degree programs in areas such as Accounting, African-American Studies, Art, Business – International, Communication, Philosophy, English, and Sociology. The Associate in Science degree students can opt for numerous areas of specialization such as Biology, General Science, Mathematics, Psychology, Pre-Dentistry, Chemistry, and Physics.

Career and Technical Education

Richland Community College also offers the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree for students who want to take up a profession directly after completing their course. Students opting for the A.A.S degree can major in areas such as Early Childhood Education, Paraprofessional Educator, Agribusiness and Agriculture, Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Technology, Fire Science, and Hospitality Management.

Richland Community College also offers various career-oriented diplomas and certificates for students who want to prepare for specific occupations, and those who want to upgrade their skills. The areas in which various certificate programs are offered include Nurse Assistant, Fire Science, Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration, Welding Technology, and Engineering Technology.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Richland Community College follows an open-door admissions policy and anyone who is 18 years or above or who is a high school graduate or has a GED can seek admission in the college. Students who are less than 18 years can also seek admission and their cases are considered on a course-by-course basis. Students are required to fill the admission application form and appear for a personal interview. They are required to submit their official high school transcripts/college records and ACT scores. Most students seeking admission in degree, certificate or college transfer programs are required to take the English and math placement tests to evaluate their English and math skills.

Special Requirements

Some programs such as the Health Professions programs including Dental Hygiene, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Nursing, Physical Therapy Assistant, Radiography, and Surgical Technology have selective application procedures.

International Applicants

International applicants seeking admission in Richland Community College are required to submit the admissions application form at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the academic session. They are also required to submit their official academic credentials and evidence of their proficiency in English by submitting their TOEFL scores. International students need to provide a certificate of finances to demonstrate availability of funds to finance the education expenses for a year. They are required to provide a written and signed affidavit by a local sponsor.

Financial Aid

Richland Community College provides financial aid to students to help them meet their academic expenses. The financial aid office provides information on aid eligibility, types of aides, and policies for federal, state, and institutional programs. Richland Community College offers financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment.

Scholarships, Grants, and Loans

The need-based awards offered to eligible students are: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Illinois Incentive for Access Grant (IIA), and Illinois – Monetary Award Program (MAP). Students can avail various loans such as Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford loan and Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans. Students can apply for numerous scholarship programs such as Merit Recognition Scholarship, Illinois National Guard (ING)/Naval Militia Program, Correctional Workers’ Scholarship, MIA/POW Scholarship, and Richland Foundation, Private, and Institutional Scholarships. Students can also apply for work-study programs wherein they can seek in-campus and off-campus work-study positions. Students are only allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week when the classes are in session.

FAFSA

To apply for financial aid from Richland Community College, students are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education. Richland Community College recommends a priority deadline of June 30 to apply for the financial aid.

Student Financial Aid Details

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Students

The student life at Richland Community College is rich and vibrant. There are a variety of student clubs and organizations which provide numerous opportunities for the students to get involved and interact with people from diverse backgrounds, and learn new skills. Students also have the option of starting their own clubs. The Student Senate represents the voice of the students in college governance. Richland Community College offers various service learning courses which provide information about local volunteer needs, leadership opportunities, and events linking the campus to the community. The Student Support Services/TRIO offers services such as faculty and peer tutoring, academic advising, career planning, and peer mentoring. It also organizes educational, personal, and professional enrichment workshops for the students. There is a bookstore on campus which houses new and used text books, school supplies, gift items, greeting cards, and other merchandise.

Richland Community College does not provide campus-based housing and students are required to make their own housing arrangements.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Additional School Information

The campus also features the Adele P. Glenn Academy for Early Childhood Education which serves as the Early Childhood and Pre-K laboratory for students majoring in Early Childhood Education.

The campus features a Child Development Center (recognized by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services) that provides childcare facilities for student parents, faculty, and staff of Richland Community College.

Bibliography

Richland Community College. Our Campus. Web. 22 December 2011.

Richland Community College. Academics. Web. 22 December 2011.

Richland Community College. Where do You want to Go In Life, How can we Help? Course Catalog 2011-2012. 2011. Print.

Richland Community College