riosalado.eduRio Salado College

Give to Rio Alumni & Friends Class Schedule Locations & Hours Help Quicklinks RioLearn Login 480-517-8000 Apply Now Get Started Request Information Start at Rio toggle I want to... toggle Earn a degree/certificate Take a Class Type of student... toggle Adult Education High School International Military/Veteran Teacher Education Transfer Paying for College Ways to Save Time & Money Why Choose Rio Salado Degrees and Certificates toggle Bachelor’s Degrees Degrees and Certificates (A-Z) Fields of Interest Programs by Name Specialized Programs Student Resources toggle Academic Advisement Admissions and Records Bookstore Career Services Computer Labs Counseling Services Disability Services Financial Aid Library Student Life Testing More... Community toggle Alumni Outreach Cafe at Rio Dental Clinic Events Services News Room Partnerships Public Safety Radio Stations RISE Learning for Life More....toggle Accreditation Contact Us Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Leadership and Divisions Maps and Locations Mission and Vision Our Faculty Research and Planning More... Congratulations Class of 2024! Read More Turn Doubts to Dreams Read One Inspiring Graduate’s Story Read More Summer Hours Learn More Community College Changes Lives! See why our alumni chose Rio Learn More Start at Rio Find a Class Degrees and Certificates News Student Center RioLearn Login Affordable Save on everyday low tuition that is 50-75% less than the national average cost of a 4-year college or university. Flexible 40+ start dates allow you to take any classes, anytime - class sections are ALWAYS available and are never canceled. Transferable Our programs accepted by over 40 transfer partners, making it easy to take your credits with you. Offcanvas Some text as placeholder. In real life you can have the elements you have chosen. Like, text, images, lists, etc. Dropdown button Action Another action Something else here Expenditure Limitation Learn more about Proposition 486—the 2024 general election ballot measure related to the expenditure limitation. Learn More Explore popular career-relevant programs Web Design Develop comprehensive and focused skills in web design, including advanced image manipulation, vector graphics, page layout, video editing and design principles. Precision Optics Learn the fundamentals of precision optics and discover how lasers, lenses and mirrors come together to create innovations for aerospace, healthcare, consumer electronics, and more. Addictions and Substance Use Disorders Start your journey in social work, counseling, mental health, and beyond by mastering techniques to support individuals with chemical dependencies. Make a real impact and gain skills in managing and treating addictions and substance use disorders. Certified Bookkeeping Prepare to take a Certified Bookkeeper exam and pursue employment as a Bookkeeper. Students may be able to advance in a financial or general office work setting. New to College Returning to College High School Students/Dual Veterans/Military Students Adult Education/GED/ESL Transfer Students New to College How do I take online classes at Rio? has provided students with quality online learning for over 20 years. More than 250,000 students have trusted our accessible, affordable, accredited learning. RioLearn is students’ online learning portal to the classroom. Students use RioLearn to access course material, turn in assignments, and communicate with instructors. In addition, students have quick access to student services/helpdesks, library services, student email, assigned advisor, and RioCompass (Academic Tracking Tool). There are no set times for classes. RioLearn is available 24/7, allowing students to read and complete assignments on their own time and learn at their own pace. How do I pay for college? For many people who want to continue their education, the biggest obstacle to overcome is paying for school. It’s a major stressor for students: How do I pay for this? There are several ways to pay for your tuition at , including: Financial aid: Grants, work-study, loans, military/veterans benefits College and private scholarships Payment plans that allow you to pay as you learn Employer-provided tuition assistance or reimbursement For comprehensive details on financing and costs, visit Rio Salado’s Financial Aid and Paying for College pages. How long will it take me to complete an associate degree? Students can complete an associate degree in as little as two years, but the timeline will vary based on the student’s schedule and class pace. Most Rio Salado online classes are 14 or 16 weeks in length. You have the option for the majority of classes to take an accelerated format, finishing the course in as little as 8 weeks. The specific requirements can vary for programs. For example, the Associate in General Studies (AGS) degree requires 60-64 semester credits. Students could also choose to complete a certificate in a variety of programs. Most can be completed in less than a year. Rio has Fast-Track certificates that can be completed in as little as 20 weeks. Are all Rio Salado classes online? The vast majority of Rio Salado classes and programs are online. A few programs are held in person at the campus in Tempe, Arizona, or at locations across metropolitan Phoenix. For example, Rio offers a dental hygiene program with hybrid classes that include an on-site dental clinic. Our locations offer in-person Adult Education classes such as high school equivalency (GED® test preparation), English language, and career training. Students in Rio Salado’s Educator Preparation Program are required to complete an in-person field experience in PreK-12 classrooms. On-site tutoring is available at a number of locations. Returning to College How will I know if online classes are right for me? Online learning offers today’s students the opportunity to take classes on their schedule. Online classes cover the same material found in traditional classes and are not fundamentally easier. They require a student to be self-motivated and have dependable internet access. Experience what it’s like to take an online class through Rio Salado I took college classes years ago. Will they still count? Even classes you took a while ago may be used toward a certificate or degree. However, to meet industry standards, some certificates and degrees require courses that are current. Courses being considered to satisfy a prerequisite may be subject to time limits. Consult your academic advisor for specific information. Will an advisor be able to help me plan my Rio classes? When you’re pursuing a degree or certificate at , you will have an assigned academic advisor who specializes in your field of interest. Your advisor will be your main point of contact for selecting the academic program and courses to meet your goals. As a degree or certificate seeking student, you will find your advisor’s contact information in RioLearn. How do I transfer prior credits? We value the work students have completed. Students may be able to apply credits from other accredited colleges and universities to their Rio Salado program. Students can work with an advisor for additional information after completing the admissions process. The first step is to submit official transcripts for transfer credit evaluation (for program seekers only) directly from the issuing institution to: Admissions, Records, & Registration/Transcript Processing 2323 W. 14th St. Tempe, AZ 85281 Student-submitted copies will be considered unofficial and may only be used for prerequisite approval. If your official transcripts are being sent electronically from a third-party company, please have them directed to records@riosalado.edu . High School Students/Dual Who is eligible to take dual enrollment courses? Dual enrollment students must meet college admission requirements and the prerequisite criteria for the course. To see if your school participates, visit Participating High Schools and click on...