New River Community College (NRCC, NRCC) Academics and Unique Programs

Academics

Established in 1958 as the New River Vocational-Technical School, the current New River Community College is located in New River Valley, Southwest Virginia. In the 1960s the school came under jurisdiction of the Virginia Community College System. New River Community College helps students prepare for the future with a variety of college transfer and career programs. By placing an emphasis on maintaining small class sizes and superior faculty and staff, NRCC assures students have plenty of assistance academically, and opportunities to participate in community and extracurricular activities. This Virginia Community College has received praise for being a top secondary education institution by prominent publications and been the recipient of national awards.

Students at NRCC have over 40 degree, diploma and certificate programs of study to choose from. Study options and classes are available on a flexible schedule including full-time and part-time options, night and day classes, and on-campus an off-campus courses. Coursework may be completed during either of the two regular term academic semesters, or during the NRCC summer session. Many New River students go on to transfer to fine 4-year colleges and universities. For students who are returning to gain job skills or make change careers, or even recent high school graduates working part or full time jobs, or experiencing other scheduling difficulties, NRCC offers a Distance Education program. Students in this program may set their own schedule, for the most part, and participate in telecourses, and telelectures, audio, mixed media, computer, software, internet and web based instruction, and live two-way interactive instruction.

One of NRCC’s new groundbreaking programs is that of Video Game Technology at the Valley Mall site. Another popular choice, the Computer Aided Design Programs, features a 1,600 sq-ft CAD Lab, also at Valley Mall in Christiansburg, VA. Other programs fall into two main categories, the Division of Arts & Sciences, and the Division of Business & Technologies. Areas of study include art & photography, nursing, communication studies & theater, human services, early childhood development, business management, administration of justice, paralegal studies, marketing and welding. Transfer programs are available for students studying business administration, education, engineering, general studies, liberal arts, and science.

New River Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate’s degrees.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 72nd in Virginia and 3147th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	49.0
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$6,497
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	34 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	65% / 41%
Enrollment Total (all students)	4,419

Unique Programs

At the Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or CDHH, students are given academic and technical training to ensure the social and professional well-being of deaf or hard of hearing students. Working in conjunction with the CDHH are NRCC certificate programs like American Sign Language, Educational Interpreting and Interpreting for the Deaf. Each course is designed to not only focus on signing skills, but developing an understanding of deaf culture. Admissions requirements may apply to enter CDHH certificate programs.

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Admissions

In order to apply for admissions at NRCC, prospective students must have a high school diploma or GED certificate, be at least 18 years of age, and be able to benefit from a program offered at NRCC. High school students will be considered for enrollment with permission from their high school principal.

Prospective students must submit a paper application. Any applicable transcripts should also be included at the time of application. Should a student not hold a GED or high school diploma and be over 18 years of age, additional testing will be required to determine qualification for admission. Applicants should then schedule a time to meet with an academic counselor to select courses, and reserve said classes either on campus with the Admissions and Records Office or online. The final step to enrolling is to pay tuition and fees by the assigned deadline. International students wishing to apply for admission to NRCC should contact the Admissions and Records Office directly for more information.

Financial Aid

While NRCC offers reasonable tuition rates as a community college, many students are still awarded financial aid and scholarships. Students may qualify for a variety of types of financial aid including Pell Grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, Stafford Loans, Supplemental Loans for Students, Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students, NRCC Educational Foundation scholarships, Special Purpose Scholarships and College Work-Study Awards. For assistance on applying for financial aid, students should contact the Financial Aid Office. Awards are based both on need, and student academic standing, and due dates are strict. Students already registered for classes may log in to SIS to get a customized quote on tuition amount owed through the NRCC webpage.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5868th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Virginia.

Students

Students at NRCC are encouraged to participate in student activities like clubs and organizations, special events, physical and athletic activities, and community service projects. One of the most popular campus organizations is the Fiddle, Banjo and Dance Club, founded in December of 1991, and featuring live bluegrass and old-time music jamborees. For information on specific activities, students and prospective students are encouraged to contact the Student Activities Office directly by phone or email as available on the NRCC website.

Excellent student services are available at NRCC including individual and group counseling on a professional and personal level. Student career development is guided through the New River Community College Career Development Center, which helps students with skills like identifying their areas of interest, strengthening job hunting strategies, interview and resume prep, and finding information on graduate and professional school options. The New River Community College Library attends students with live real-time chat available online with library personnel. Students enjoy library services like course reserves, purchase requests, reference requests, interlibrary loans, and copy, print and media resources. Other student service departments include the Innovative Technology Center, Career Pathways, the center for Disabilities, the Adult Education Program, Network Services, Security Services, Veterans, and the Word Processing Center, amongst others.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

The New River green and black Knights field intercollegiate sports teams in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball soccer, cheerleading, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. Students may also elect to participate in intramural sports like Table Tennis, Chess, Billiards/Pool, and Bowling featuring competitive tournaments.

New River Community College