Extended Learning

Extended Learning banner with multiple students smiling

Fast. Flexible. Tuition-Free.

Riverside City College's Extended Learning offers tuition-free noncredit courses and certificates for professional development, career skills, and English language fluency.

  • Break through: Gain in-demand skills and career certificates to boost your income.
  • Buckle up: Accelerate your current career or start a new one.
  • Branch out: Explore flexible classes in business, technology, and more.

To enroll in Extended Learning (noncredit) classes only, complete the Noncredit RCC Application. Completing the regular RCC Application allows enrollment in both noncredit and credit classes.

Getting Started

To take only Extended Learning (noncredit) classes, complete the Noncredit RCC Application. Completing the credit RCC Application allows enrollment in both noncredit and credit classes. The Noncredit RCC Application doesn't require residency status. For both noncredit and credit classes, apply via the credit application.

For noncredit classes only, no financial aid application is needed, as they are tuition-free.

Now, register for classes. Most classes start at the beginning of the semester. Need help? Find tutorials on EduNav and the Student Knowledge page. For hands-on support, visit our Welcome Center (Zoom or in person).

  • Note: If you submitted a noncredit application or applied after the semester started, you might encounter an error when registering. Email admissions@rcc.edu with your RCC student email, section number (e.g., ADM-801-43558), and RCC student ID for manual registration.

For ESL courses, complete the RCCD Guided Self-Placement Tool. Ensure you have a current college application. If not enrolled in the previous semester, reapply. If a noncredit course is full, email the professor for an "add code." Once received, email admissions@rcc.edu with the add code and section number.

Extended Learning Programs and Courses

RCC offers Extended Learning courses in multiple academic pathways and programs. More information can be found in the Noncredit Programs of Study page.

  • Applied Digital Media
  • Automotive Technology
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Applications and Office Technology
  • Computer Information Systems
  • Culinary Arts
  • Early Childhood Education
  • English
  • ESL
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Guidance
  • Professional Development Studies

Noncredit courses are designed for students interested in pursuing personal, professional, or academic goals. Noncredit courses focus on helping students build specific skills necessary for reaching their individual goals.

Any community member 18 years or older can take noncredit courses. Those under 18 must complete a concurrent enrollment form and return it to the college’s Admissions and Records office.

All noncredit courses are tuition-free, though students may have to pay for books and parking.

Yes, many students take credit and noncredit courses at the same time.

Yes, all students must fill out an application. Students that complete the Noncredit RCC Application can only enroll in Extended Learning (noncredit) classes. Students that complete the regular RCC Applicaiton will be able to enroll in both credit and noncredit classes.

Courses can fill, so it is important to register early.

No, since noncredit courses are tuition-free, students cannot receive financial aid. Students that are only taking noncredit courses thus do not need to complete the FAFSA or Dream Application, but students that are enrolling in both credit and noncredit should still apply for financial aid.

Most courses are either noncredit or credit, but some are "mirrored", which means the college might offer the student the choice to enroll in a credit or noncredit section. All students are taught in the same classroom and students enrolled in the noncredit section must complete the same work as those enrolled in the credit section. Students should enroll in the noncredit or credit section based on their educational goal.

Riverside City College offers many different noncredit certificates. Students can receive a physical certificate upon completing all required courses in a certificate program. Please visit the program pages to learn more.

Noncredit certificates are automatically awarded upon completing all necessary courses. Please allow 8 – 12 weeks for processing after grades have been posted. However, if you think that you have completed a certificate and the 8–12-week period after grades have been posted has elapsed, but you have not received your certificate, please email admissionsriverside@rcc.edu.

Yes, all students that park on campus must have a pass. Students can either purchase a daily parking permit or a semester long one. Students must park in the white spaces only (yellow spaces are for staff and faculty only). Parking is limited, so it is recommended to arrive 20 minutes early to class.

Students can take as many courses as they choose.

Most noncredit courses are repeatable.

Yes, undocumented community members can take noncredit courses and the noncredit CCC Apply college application does not ask for residency status. The hours earned in noncredit can count toward an individual's AB 540 status. Contact the college’s Admissions and Records office for more information.

No. 

Yes, students do have to pay for textbooks, though many noncredit courses do not require textbooks.

Yes, the colleges offer noncredit courses in the community. Refer to the noncredit schedule of classes for a list of course locations this semester.

Yes, all community members can take noncredit courses, however, we strongly encourage all students to complete their high school diploma or earn a GED. High school diploma completion or GED programs are offered by our partner school districts. Please visit the RCC Adult Education page for more information.