Rio Salado College

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 

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.

When you're pursuing a degree or certificate at Rio Salado College, 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.

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:

Rio Salado College
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 [email protected].

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 the high school you will be attending to view the admissions and prerequisites requirements.

The high school distributes information on accessing online Dual Enrollment registration information and forms, or students can go directly to Sign Up and Register Now. New students ONLY start at Step 1. Returning students review Step 3 for Admissions/Placement requirements.

To view the list of dual enrollment classes offered at your high school, click on 'List of Participating Schools' then click on your high school and Download the Course PDF.

Dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses are good options for students. The difference is that dual enrollment students receive a grade and credit for the work performed throughout the year. These credits usually transfer to the student's college of choice as direct course equivalents.

Advanced Placement classes require students to pass the Advanced Placement (AP) test to earn college credit. Credit is awarded solely on a student's performance on the exam. Credit is based on the score students achieve on the AP exam.

Dual enrollment classes meet at the high school during the regular high school day and are taught by college-certified high school instructors using a college curriculum and text. The high school agrees to accept these college courses toward a student's high school completion.

Concurrent enrollment classes meet at a college site or online and are not affiliated with the high school. Students interested in concurrent enrollment must submit a special admission form. Students need prior approval from their high school counselor or administration if they want these college courses to help satisfy high school requirements.

Dual enrollment students pay the same tuition rate assessed for all Maricopa Community College courses. Current tuition rates are listed in the registration materials. As an additional savings, dual students do not have to purchase textbooks or pay lab fees because these materials are usually provided by the high school.

Tuition assistance is available for students based on financial need. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come first-served basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications are available in spring for the following fall. Dual enrollment courses do not quality for federal financial aid.

The Rio Salado College Veterans Services Office is proud to serve our veterans and their dependents. We act as the liaison between the college and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to coordinate the processing of Veteran's education benefits. If you want to find information about using your Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits, watch this short video or review our VA Information Packet.

To learn what benefit you are eligible for and submit an application, go to va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. Contact Rio Salado Veterans Services if you have questions.

If you have used VA Education Benefits at another institution before enrolling at Rio Salado College, you will need to update your program of study or place of training with the VA. These forms should be completed online at va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. Click the green button on that page and answer the questions that are displayed.

The average processing time is 30 days, but during peak times, processing can take up to 6 weeks for an original claim. Payments are affected by a number of factors, including training time, course begin/end dates, course withdrawal, debts owed to VA, and others. Only the VA can project your payment date with accuracy. Call (888) 442-4551 if you have not been paid within 30 days of your enrollment certification.

Rio Salado has a dedicated Military Advisement team to support the men and women in our Armed Forces and their spouses or dependents. Our team offers guidance on using military tuition assistance for eligible certificates and degrees, and assistance with university transfer.

If you're a new student, please visit Start at Rio Salado for Military. You can also contact a military advisor at (800) 517-8590 or [email protected] for assistance with course selection. We receive your request within 24 hours and will send a confirmation once enrolled.

Exams are presented in two forms: At home or as a Proctored Exam. Please read your syllabus to see if you require a Proctor Request Form during the first week of each class. You can submit the Proctor Request Form online at: Rio Salado Proctor Request. You can ask a Second Lieutenant or higher to proctor your placement exam where you are stationed or have your Education Center on base proctor your exam.

Rio Salado College offers a variety of adult education programs to help you: 

• GED®Test prep classes to help you prepare for your high school equivalency diploma 
• English language/ESL classes to help you improve your English language skills
• Career training classes to gain essential employability skills
• Adult ACE (Achieving a College Education) for students demonstrating financial need
• Support with transitioning to college

Adult Education classes are offered at no cost to the student. Visit Rio Adult Education to learn more about the classes and services we offer.

GED® Test Preparation classes are provided in 16-week blocks.

We offer career services, counseling and disability services, 1:1 tutoring, on-demand study tools, and more.

Rio Salado College offers GED® test preparation classes in a supportive, classroom environment at several Rio Salado locations in the Valley. You can also take this class through our virtual learning academy (VLA). Based on your current educational level, consistent attendance, and participation inside and outside of class you can achieve your high school equivalency diploma in as little as 12 weeks. You can remain in class until you are prepared to take the GED® test and our Rio team will support you through your entire journey.

GED® Test Prep classes are offered both online, and in-person at the following Rio locations: Avondale, Downtown, Northern, Southern, Surprise and Thomas. English language classes (English as a Second Language) are taught in-person at the above listed locations, and online through the Virtual Learning Academy. Learn more.

As a regionally accredited institution, students will find that their one or two classes - or their entire associate degree - may transfer without loss of credit. Using agreements and transfer tools an academic advisor can tell you before you take a course whether it will transfer to Arizona's three state universities.

Looking at a school outside Arizona? Contact your future university to verify course transfer and how your courses will apply to your university program.

Rio Salado has transfer agreements with the three Arizona public universities as well as more than 40 other institutions. See a list of all transfer partners.

First, determine when you want to start at your intended university. Contact the Admissions Office early in the process to learn about the application requirements and deadlines, where transcripts should be sent, if any further testing is required, or if letters of recommendation are needed. You do not need to completely finish your community college courses to apply.

You can submit your official transcripts for transfer credit evaluation (for program seekers only) directly from the issuing institution to:

Rio Salado College
Admissions, Records, & Registration/Transcript Processing
2323 W. 14th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281

Please visit our Admission, Records and Registration website for more information.

Visit our online Transfer Center to learn more about how our academic advisors can help you create an academic plan to meet your goals. You can also find a list of university transfer partners and more resources to ensure a smooth transfer process.