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PRESS RELEASE

Rio Salado/ASU Alliance Offers Degree Options

Prospective college students often ask a myriad of questions, some of which can be a little overwhelming at times. “How will I afford it? What will my major be? What kind of job can I get after I graduate?” Although obtaining a college degree has become more accessible and convenient in recent years, many potential students still overlook the options available to them.

The Arizona State University/Maricopa Community Colleges Alliance is a partnership designed to fill this gap, providing students with more affordable tuition and a bachelor’s degree that bridges academic disciplines so students don’t have to choose just one focus.

How does it work? Students earn up to 75 credits through Rio Salado College at just $65/credit then transfer to Arizona State University to finish their degree – with the flexibility of doing it entirely online. Students choose a combination of academic disciplines that suit them best and enjoy the freedom and flexibility to take classes that are meaningful to them while earning a degree that is respected, marketable and applicable to the 21st century workplace. By the end of the program, students earn an associate degree from Rio Salado College, a national leader in educational innovation, as well as a bachelor of interdisciplinary studies from ASU, a degree designed to train students for jobs in today’s dynamic economic, political, and social organizations.

What’s the catch? There is none. Students have access to both Rio Salado and ASU benefits including the highest quality academic advisors, financial aid, and library resources. Best of all, ASU accepts all 75 credits thanks to established transfer agreements, and students are guaranteed acceptance into ASU upon completion of their general education requirements.

Building upon the historical success of the ASU/Maricopa partnership, the Alliance has expanded to develop formal agreements within key degree programs that help students graduate on time and help meet the demand for quality higher education in Arizona. Rio Salado, known as the “college within everyone’s reach,” serves more than 24,000 eLearning students annually (out of 60,000 students) and is one of the premier distance learning colleges in the country. Based in Tempe, Arizona, Rio Salado combines cutting-edge technology with choice, access, and flexibility. With classes starting every two weeks and more than 450 unique online courses to choose from, Rio Salado’s anytime, anyplace education makes it the college of choice for working adults. Rio Salado Colleges is one of the Maricopa Community Colleges. For more information, visit www.riosalado.edu/alliance or www.maricopa.edu/alliance.

For information contact:
Linda Bird
Rio Salado College
(480) 517-8462
linda.bird@riomail.maricopa.edu

Kevin Obolsky
Rio Salado College
(480) 517-8491
kevin.obolsky@riomail.maricopa.edu