Distance Learning
Rio Salado College's Incarcerated Re-entry (IRE) program offers distance learning classes for incarcerated students. Classes are offered in a print-based correspondence format.
The Arizona General Education Certificate (AGEC) and the Associate of Art Degree (AA) offered through the IRE program are part of the MyPath2ASU®. MyPath2ASU® is designed for future Arizona State University students studying at Maricopa Community Colleges. MAPP is designed for Maricopa Community Colleges students with a plan to transfer to a state university to complete a bachelor’s degree. .
The Arizona General Education Curriculum is a foundation of completed general courses (35-37 credits) transfer as a block to ASU, NAU, and UA.
We encourage incarcerated students complete an AA or Arizona General Education Curriculum Certificate (AGEC) because these programs are transferable to a 4-year university.
IRE complies with Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC), Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP), CoreCivic, GEO Group, SRPMIC and prison policies regarding inmate student education. Please provide the education contact at the facility where the student is located. IRE will verify the facility supports correspondence courses, that the student is eligible to take classes, a contact should course material be lost and the address to send materials.
Current Certificate Offerings
The certificates offered in our program are listed below and will lead to an Associate of Applied Science Degree:
- AGEC Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) (16 classes)
- Small Business Management I (6 classes) - Fulfills General Electives of an AA Degree (see bottom of AA check sheet)
- Sustainable Foods (FON) (4 classes) - Fulfills General Electives of an AA Degree (see bottom of AA check sheet)
- Workforce Development and Community Re-Entry (WFR) (6 classes)
- Quality Customer Service (QCS) (7 classes) -Fulfills General Electives of an AA Degree (see bottom of AA check sheet)
- Addictions and Substance Use Disorder Level I (ASD) (7 classes)
- Addictions and Substance Use Disorder Level II (ASD) (7 classes)
Current Associate Degree Offerings
Print based Associate degree degrees are listed below:
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS)– Workforce Development and Community Re-Entry (WFR) (24 classes)
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS)- Addictions and Substance Use Disorder (ASD) (24 classes)
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Associate of General Studies
We have start dates every Monday and encourage students to start with one class. As soon as the student is comfortable, we suggest a second class be taken. In most facilities, students can take up to 4 classes a semester. These classes can be staggered in the semester. Students who want to complete a degree prior to release should take up to 4 classes every semester.
IRE Course Guide
The IRE Course guide provides information on the certificates and degree pathways available in correspondence modality for incarcerated students.