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Contents12General Information About RHC.6HistoryVision, Mission, Values Statement & Goals StatementCode of EthicsInstitutional PhilosophyAccreditations and CertificationsInstitutional AffiliationAdmission, Registration & Educational Costs.9AdmissionsWho May ApplyStudent ClassificationResidence RequirementsOpen Enrollment PolicyUnit LimitationsAdding/Dropping ClassesEvaluation of TranscriptsStudent Success and Support ProgramFive Steps to Becoming a Rio Hondo StudentStudent Success and Support Program RequirementCollege ResponsibilitiesStudent ResponsibilitiesStudent RightsMatriculation ExemptionsAssessment Retest PolicyAssessment Placement Appeals ProcedureRHC Prerequisite/Corequisite/Advisory DefinitionsHow to Clear a PrerequisitePrerequisite/Corequisite Challenge ProcedureEducational CostsStudent Financial ObligationsEnrollment/Fees Refunds3Support Services.16Academic AdvisementAssessment CenterCalWORKS ProgramCareer CounselingCounselingDisabled Students Programs & ServicesExtended Opportunity Programs & ServicesHonors ProgramHonors Transfer ProgramOrientationPUENTE ProgramTransfer CenterTRiO ProgramsVeterans ServicesFinancial Aid ServicesFederal Financial Aid ProgramsState Financial Aid ProgramsScholarshipsLoansReturn to Title IV Funds Health Support ServicesStudent Health ServicesPsychological ServicesDrug Policy Academic Support ServicesStudent Tutoring SupportLearning Assistance Center (LAC)Mathematics & Sciences Center (MSC)Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA)and TRiO Student Support Services STEMReading/Writing LabsDistrict Computer LabLanguage LabLibrary4 / Rio Hondo College Alternative/Nontraditional ClassesStudy AbroadDistance Education: Online CoursesContinuing Education & Contract Education ClassesWeekend CollegeMathematics & Science Center (MSC)Intensive English Language Academy4Student Activities & Athletics.23How to Get Involved in Student ActivitiesAssociated Students of Rio Hondo CollegeStudent ClubsASRHC Sponsored EventsCollege Services FeeStudent GovernmentGeneral Student InformationStudent PublicationsAthletics–Men’s & Women’s Intercollegiate SportsAthletic Eligibility for California Community CollegeIntercollegiate TeamsStudent Conduct at College-Sponsored Events5Academic Guidelines.25Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)Academic HonestyAttendanceAuditingAbsencesClassification of StudentsWork Hours/Class GuidelinesAcademic StandardsFinal ExaminationsPass/No Pass CoursesAcademic HonorsHonors ScholarMilitary ServiceAmerican Council on Education CreditUpper Division CreditCredit by External ExaminationAdvanced Placement (AP) Examination ProgramCollege Level Examination Program (CLEP)Credit by ExaminationNon-Collegiate Registered Nursing Training CreditCredit by External Examination: College Creditfor Advanced Placement (AP) Tests CreditNon-Collegiate Registered Nursing Training CreditCredit by External Examination: CollegeLevel Examination Program (CLEP) CreditProbation StandardsRepetition of Courses GuidelinesCourse Withdrawal PolicyBasic Skills EnrollmentTranscripts6Degree & Certificate Guidelines.37Degree ProgramsThe A.A. or A.S. Degree ConceptThe A.A. or A.S. Degree RequirementsGeneral Education ExceptionsAssociate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) or Associatein Science for Transfer (AS-T) RequirementsGeneral Education Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)Multiple MajorsSecond Associate DegreesCatalog RightsContinuous EnrollmentGraduationCertificate ProgramsExceptions to Certificate of Achievement Requirements2013-2014 Catalog

Contents continued7Transfer.42Transfer ProgramsPlanning a Transfer ProgramImpacted ProgramsTransferring to California State University (CSU)Associate Degree for Transfer– A degree with a GuaranteeCSU ApplicationCSU Application Filing PeriodsCSU General Education Breadth Course RequirementsTransferring to the University of California (UC)Community College Transfer Priority AdmissionIGETC General Education CertificationUC Impacted MajorsTransfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)UC ApplicationUC Application Filing PeriodsTransferring to Independent Colleges & UniversitiesTransfer Web SitesIGETC for CSU & UC89Degrees & Certificates Guidelines.48List of Degrees and CertificatesNursing Program OverviewAutomotive TechnologyTraining Program OverviewCourses of Instruction.132Credit and Non-credit Course Listings10College Policies & Procedures.270Academic FreedomAccess to Student RecordsStudent RecordsCheating/PlagiarismChildren on CampusComputer UsageStudent Complaints Grievance ProcedureDirectory InformationHazingNon-discrimination in CollegePrograms and ActivitiesAusencia de Discriminación enProgramas y Actividades del ColegioSexual Harassment/Hostigamiento SexualStandards of Student Conduct11Facilities.276Art GalleryBlack Box TheatreBookstoreCafé RioChild Development Center/Pre-School LaboratoryEl Monte Educational CenterFitness CenterObservatoryParkingSanta Fe Springs Training CenterSouth Whittier Educational Center (SWEC)State Smog CenterWray 52013-2014 CatalogInstructionalCalendar 2013-2014Summer 2013Five-Week Session (5-weeks). Monday, July 8 – Friday, August 9Six-Week Session (6-weeks). Monday, June 17 – Friday, July 26Eight-Week Session (8-weeks). Monday, June 17 – Friday, August 9(includes on-site, off-site & online classes)Fall 2013Semester Dates (16-weeks). Saturday, August 24 - Saturday, December 14Flex Day (Faculty). Friday, August 23(Classes begin Saturday, August 24)8-week Modules (Module A). Saturday, Aug. 24 – Friday, Oct. 18 (Module B). Saturday, Oct. 19 – Saturday, Dec. 14Finals. Monday, December 9 – Saturday, December 14Spring 2014Intersession Dates (4-weeks). Thursday, January 2 - Thursday, January 23, 2014Semester Dates (16-weeks). Saturday, January 25 – Thursday, May 22Flex Day (Faculty).Friday, January 24(Classes begin Saturday, January 25)Spring Break.Monday, March 24 – Friday, March 28(No weekend classes Saturday, March 29)8-week Modules (Module A). Saturday, January 25 – Friday, March 21 (Module B).Saturday, March 22 – Thursday, May 22Finals. Friday, May 16 – Thursday, May 22Commencement. Thursday, May 22Rio Hondo College / 5

1General Information AboutRio Hondo CollegeHistoryRio Hondo College celebrates its 51st academic yearin 2013-2014. The Rio Hondo Community CollegeDistrict was established by election in October 1960,but first classes were not held until 1963-1964. Sincethe district’s boundaries at that time were identicalto those of the Whittier Union High School District,administration of the district was by the high schooldistrict Board of Trustees. Creation of the El RanchoUnified School District in 1962 required that Rio HondoCollege establish its own Board of Trustees, and anelection for that purpose was held in April 1962.The new Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Phil Putnamas the founding Superintendent-President in February1963. In May 1963, the Board chose Rio Hondo as thename for the college. The name, long associated withthe area surrounding the Rio Hondo River, means“deep river.”College classes were offered for the first time in the lateafternoons and evenings in September 1963 at Sierraand El Rancho High Schools. Following selection ofthe present campus site, a 12 million bond issue tobuild the college was approved by 80.1 percent of thedistrict voters in October 1963. During 1964 and 1965,Rio Hondo College conducted classes for a limitedenrollment at the former Little Lake School in Santa FeSprings.program includes courses for transfer to four-yearcolleges and universities, general education courses forgreater understanding of individual and communitylife, vocational training in certain areas, and coursesfor improving academic performance necessary forstudying at a higher level.The Rio Hondo College Foundation was established in1992. The Foundation assists the college in meeting theneeds of its students and community. The Foundation’sfocus is to secure financial and community resourcesto support Rio Hondo College programs and servicessuch as student scholarships, innovative educationalprojects, teaching and training support, and capitalexpenditures.The present campus opened in the fall of 1966 with anenrollment of 3,363 day and 2,682 evening students.Measure A, a 245 million bond passed by votersin 2004, now provides new buildings and facilitiesupgrades campus-wide as well as new off-siteeducational centers in South Whittier and El Monte.Today, Rio Hondo enrolls approximately 20,000students per semester.VisionThe Rio Hondo Community College Districtencompasses a 65.5 square-mile area which includesthe cities of Whittier, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs,South El Monte, and portions of Norwalk, LaMirada, Downey, La Puente and Industry, someunincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, and theportion of the City of El Monte, south and east of theRio Hondo River.“Rio Hondo College is a collaborative center oflifelong learning which provides innovative,challenging, and quality educational offerings for itsdiverse students and community.”School districts within the college boundaries are theWhittier Union High School District, El Rancho UnifiedSchool District, and the El Monte Union High SchoolDistrict.Students come to Rio Hondo seeking a variety ofeducational experiences. Rio Hondo’s educational6 / Rio Hondo CollegeRio Hondo College strives to be an exemplaryCalifornia community college, meeting the learningneeds of its changing and growing population anddeveloping a state-of -the-art campus to serve futuregenerations.MissionValues StatementAs a teaching/learning community, we come togetherand strive to meet the needs, aspirations, and goals ofour changing student population and communities.Since what we value forms the core of who and whatwe are, the college community--trustees, facultyand staff--recognizes the importance of openly andcandidly expressing the college’s values. Rio HondoCollege values the following:2013-2014 Catalog

1.2.Quality teaching and learningThe college is dedicated to excellence ininstruction and student services to develop theintellectual and personal competence of eachstudent. Rio Hondo College is committed topreparing students to adapt to the demands of amulticultural society.Student access and successRio Hondo College recognizes the individualworth and potential of every human being.Accordingly, the college offers an open access,comprehensive educational program to itsstudents including basic skills, vocationaleducation certificates and degrees, generaleducation and transfer courses, and, forits community, economic developmentopportunities.At Rio Hondo College, students will have anopportunity to develop ethical values, learn the rightsand responsibilities of citizenship, develop careerskills, and understand the scientific, artistic and socialachievements of various cultures including their own.3.Diversity & EquityRio Hondo College remains committed tothe diversity of students, faculty, staff, andmanagement. Diversity can be defined inmany ways including ethnicity, gender, sexualorientation, socio-economic status, age, physicalabilities, religious beliefs, learning styles, politicalbeliefs, or other ideologies. Appreciation ofdiversity means the following: Recognizing that each individual is uniqueand understanding individual differences. Recognizing the things that people have incommon despite being members of diversegroups Creating a safe, positive, and nurturingenvironment that cultivates respect for whatthese differences are Moving beyond simple tolerance toembracing and celebrating the richdimensions of diversity as a way of comingtogether as a community with a commonpurpose.The concepts of educational equity and studentlearning outcomes are central to the values of theCollege. Access to education and the opportunity foreducational success for all students shall be provided,with particular efforts in regard to those who havebeen historically and currently underrepresented.Education should prepare students to adapt to thedemands of a multicultural society.4.5.Fiscal ResponsibilityRio Hondo College recognizes the importanceof maintaining a fiscally sound, efficient, andeffective college operation. It uses its resources—human, facilities, and financial—to the optimumbenefit of its students, community, and staff.Integrity and CivilityWe value integrity, honesty and respect in ouractions and words.2013-2014 CatalogGoals StatementWith the rapid pace of change and the need torespond in a reasonable, timely, and organizedfashion - and keeping the focus on our students -RioHondo College recognizes the following goals asimportant to our collective success: to provide quality instruction to enhance theteaching/learning process to provide quality student support programs to provide quality student services, utilizing astudent-centered process to meet the changing technological needsrequired to support the educational processand to enhance student access and success to maintain a safe and pleasant environmentfor students, staff, and community to support participatory governance processesthrough effective communication amongand involvement of students, faculty, staff,trustees, and community to provide leadership in the academic,cultural, and economic life of the community to support the personal and professionalgrowth of trustees, faculty, and staff to develop and utilize fiscal resources in anefficient and effective manner.Code of EthicsEthical persons are those who abide by principles andexemplify virtues as understood within a given moralframework. Many believe that virtue is intrinsicallyrewarding. At the very least, that one be perceivedas ethical is instrumental in establishing credibilityand trust. The employees of Rio Hondo CommunityCollege District are committed to providing a highquality learning environment to help our studentssuccessfully achieve their educational goals andobjectives. Accordingly, they have interests in, andcommitment to, ethical behavior.To support this commitment, college employeesadhere to standards of ethical and professionalbehavior related to their duties, and haveresponsibilities to the institution and to individualsthey serve. Although one can not “legislate morality”in the sense of mandating virtuous intentions, we can,and do, establish general expectations of conduct.There are many sources of inspiration and guidance.All employees of Rio Hondo College are subject toofficial College policies and procedures, applicableregulatory agency requirements, local, state, andfederal laws, and professional standards (whenapplicable). This includes policies such as the RioHondo College Policy on Prohibition of HarassmentRio Hondo College / 7

(BP 3430), its Policy on Nondiscrimination (BP 3410),and its Policy on Academic Freedom (BP 4030).In addition, the Board of Trustees is subject to its ownCode of Ethics (BP 2715), and most of our employeesare members of professional organizations with theirown established codes of ethics, such as the CTA,CSEA, and ACCCA. Employees are encouraged toconsult their own organizations, when applicable,for further guidance. As constituents of Rio HondoCollege, students are likewise encouraged to maintainhigh Standards of Conduct (BP 5500).As a further demonstration of commitment tohigh ethical standards, employees of Rio HondoCollege aspire to be guided by the following valuesstatements. They are intended as guidelines andaspirations, to be used for educational rather thanenforcement purposes, with our own conscience asthe first and most salient means of evaluation. This College values open communication,honesty, and truthfulness, and aspires to an“open door” philosophy. This Colleges values open inquiry, and honorsacademic freedom. This College strives to protect hu

2013-2014 Catalog Rio Hondo College / 1 3600 Workman Mill Road Whittier, California 90601-1616 (562) 692-0921 www.riohondo.edu 2013-2014 Catalog July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014