River Parishes Community College

The Drafting & Design degree programs prepare students for a successful career as a professional drafter who will be equipped with the advanced skills necessary to quickly advance to the level of a senior technical designer. In addition to basic and advanced CADD skills, students are trained in 3D CADD applications and professional-level advanced programs such as Revit, Inventor, and the highly sought-after Plant 3D. Students also learn valuable general industry skills such as industrial safety and statistical quality control. To earn an Associate of Applied Science in Drafting and Design Technology, a student must: satisfy all developmental requirements, schedule classes according to Prerequisite Chart and using the semester-by-semester guide, and successfully complete the 60 credit-hour curriculum, passing all classes with a “C” or better.

The Certificate of Technical Studies degree is designed to help students reach their educational or occupational goals in an entry-level position.

The purpose of this program is to provide specialized classroom instruction and practical shop experience to prepare students for employment in a variety of jobs in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration. The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program prepares individuals to install, diagnose, repair, and maintain the operating condition of domestic, residential, and commercial heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. The Technical Diploma degree is designed to help students reach their educational or occupational goals in an entry level position.

The purpose of the Welding program is to prepare individuals for employment in the field of welding. Instruction is provided in various processes and techniques of welding including Oxyfuel cutting, carbon arc cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, pipe-welding, plasma arc cutting, blueprint reading, weld symbols, and joints. After completion of this program, the student will have covered the skills designated by the AWS (American Welding Society) and will be prepared to take the AWS Entry Level Welder test. The Technical Diploma degree is designed to help students reach their educational or occupational goals in an entry-level position.

Industrial Instrumentation Technology (IIT) prepares students for a successful career as an Instrumentation Technician. In the fall semester (August), new cohorts of students begin the IIT program and progress through two years/four semesters, taking their instrumentation classes in a defined sequence and as a defined cohort. Students are able to schedule general education classes at times that will meet their needs and are advised to take as many general education classes as possible if waiting for fall admission into the IIT program or while working on developmental requirements. The Associate of Applied Sciences degree is a degree program designed to help students reach their educational or occupational goals. All courses applied to the degree must be passed with a “C” or better. Developmental courses may not be applied to the degree.

The purpose of this program is to provide specialized classroom instruction and practical shop experience to prepare students for employment in a variety of jobs in the industrial maintenance field. he Industrial Maintenance Technology program prepares individuals to install, repair, and maintain industrial machinery and equipment such as pumps, motors, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, and production machinery. It includes instruction in testing, adjusting, and repairing pneumatic and hydraulic systems, attaching supplemental equipment such as hoses, valves, gates, mechanical, electrical, and electronic control devices. It also includes instruction in material handling equipment, pipefitting, welding, metal fabrication, and millwright. The Associate of Applied Sciences degree is a degree program designed to help students reach their educational or occupational goals. All courses applied to the degree must be passed with a “C” or better. Developmental courses may not be applied to the degree.

The Process Technology (PTEC) program at RPCC is a selective admissions program that addresses a high-demand field. It prepares individuals to become refinery, chemical, and other industry-related operators. The curriculum leading to the Process Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree was developed in collaboration with local industry. It is a rigorous study of the common operating processes found in industrial plants that will prepare students for high skill, high wage jobs needed in the manufacturing industry. Upon graduation from the program, students are prepared to enter the employment market as entry-level process operators for a specialty career in a strong job market. The Associate of Applied Sciences degree is a degree program designed to help students reach their educational or occupational goals. All courses applied to the degree must be passed with a “C” or better. Developmental courses may not be applied to the degree.

The Associate of Science in Teaching degree is a selective-admission program created for students who wish to teach elementary-grade students, grades 1-5. The AST degree is fully transferable to four-year colleges of education in Louisiana, and successful completion of the degree enables recipients to enter a four-year college of education program with half of their certification requirements complete and all general education requirements met. In addition to general education courses, students will complete two professional education courses that include associated fieldwork experience, and they must pass two parts of the PRAXIS, or teacher certification exam, before graduation. Interested students should note that they must apply and be admitted to this program in order to earn the degree. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the degree program. Students who have not yet applied for admission to the program may still take courses required for the degree. All courses applied to the degree must be passed with a ‘C’ or better. Developmental courses may not be applied to the degree. Courses or GPA requirements for specific majors, departments, or schools are not automatically satisfied by an AST degree.

The Certificate of Applied Science in Medical Coding Specialist is designed for students who are interested in becoming a member of the Health Information Management (HIM) team in a healthcare facility. Medical coders review clinical documentation and assign universal alphanumeric codes as necessary for the medical billing process. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take coding certification exams. All courses applied to the certificate must be passed with a “C” or better. Developmental courses may not be applied to the degree. Students may wish to continue their studies towards a higher degree in HIM. Students who plan to transfer should consult with an RPCC Advisor, as well as an advisor from the other college/university, to assure transferability of credit.

The Certificate of Technical Studies in Medical Assisting is a selective-admission program created for students who are interested in working in a clinical setting of the healthcare field. The program curricula has been aligned to meet the industry standards. Upon completion of obtaining the certificate, students will be eligible to take the NHA-CCMA Exam (National Health Career Association-Certified Clinical Medical Assistant). Interested students should note that they must apply and be admitted to this program. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the Medical Assisting program. Students who have not yet applied for admission to the program may still complete the required general education courses for the program. All courses applied to the certification must be passed with a “C” or better. Developmental courses may not be applied to the degree. Courses are taken as a cohort. Students who do not satisfy the course requirements will not be eligible to progress and will require readmission into the program. Also, this program requires 180 hours of externship.

The Certificate of Technical Studies in Patient Care Technician is a selective-admission program created for students who are interested in working in a clinical setting of the healthcare field. The program curricula has been aligned to meet the Department of Health and Hospital (DHH) and industry standards. Upon completion of obtaining the certificate, students will be eligible to take the NHA-EKG or Phlebotomy Exam (National Healthcare Association Electrocardiogram or Phlebotomy) and Certified Nursing Assistant Exam. Interested students should note that they must apply and be admitted to this program. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the Patient Care Technician program. Students who have not yet applied for admission to the program may still complete the required general education courses for the program. All courses applied to the certification must be passed with a ‘C’ or better. Developmental courses may not be applied to the degree. Courses are taken as a cohort. Students who do not satisfy the course requirements will not be eligible to progress and will require readmission into the program. Also, students will be required to complete the required externship hours to satisfy industry standards.

The Certificate of Technical Studies in Patient Care Technician is a selective-admission program created for students who are interested in working in a clinical setting of the healthcare field. The program curricula has been aligned to meet the Department of Health and Hospital (DHH) and industry standards. Upon completion of obtaining the certificate, students will be eligible to take the NHA-EKG or Phlebotomy Exam (National Healthcare Association Electrocardiogram or Phlebotomy) and Certified Nursing Assistant Exam. Interested students should note that they must apply and be admitted to this program. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the Patient Care Technician program. Students who have not yet applied for admission to the program may still complete the required general education courses for the program. All courses applied to the certification must be passed with a ‘C’ or better. Developmental courses may not be applied to the degree. Courses are taken as a cohort. Students who do not satisfy the course requirements will not be eligible to progress and will require readmission into the program. Also, students will be required to complete the required externship hours to satisfy industry standards.

The Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing is a selective-admission program created for students who are interested in working in various settings of the healthcare field. The program curricula has been approved and is aligned with the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) requirements. Upon completion of the certificate, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing). Interested students should note that they must apply and be admitted to this program. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the Practical Nursing program. Students who have not yet applied for admission to the program may still complete the required prerequisite courses for the program. All courses applied to the certification must be passed with a “C” or better. Developmental courses may not be applied to the degree. Courses are taken as a cohort. Students who do not satisfy the course requirements will not be eligible to progress and will require readmission into the program. Also, this program requires an externship in various healthcare areas.