Follow Us Today
Apply Now

Riverside College of Health Sciences

The mission of Riverside College of Health Sciences is to enhance the well-being and improve the health of communities of southeastern Virginia and beyond by providing high-quality, residential and online undergraduate education in nursing and allied health, preparing competent and caring professionals for careers within Riverside Health and the region.

Explore Our Programs
Clock Bell 

Looking for upcoming Start Dates and Application Deadlines? Visit our step-by-step How to Apply page.
View program start dates, application deadlines, pre- and corequisite course requirements, ATI TEAS Test resources, and more for each of our programs!

Two mascots in front of RCHS Admin Building
What's New at RCHS?

RCHS Announces New Partnership With CNU

Riverside College of Health Sciences (RCHS) and our nearby neighbor, Christopher Newport University (CNU), have partnered to provide CNU students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)!
The 3+2 partnership allows students to attend CNU for three years and then RCHS for two years; students will complete the program with two bachelor’s degrees, one from each institution. 

Read More in the CNU Newsroom

Programs We Offer

Learn about the wide variety of accredited programs available at Riverside College of Health Sciences.

One-year certificate program that allows graduates to specialize in Adult Echocardiography or in Vascular Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Technology.

 

Students of this 18 month Associate Degree program take the National Certification Examination for Surgical Technologists to become Certified Surgical Technologists, in their last semester.

 

The Respiratory Care Program prepares students to sit for a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license and enter the practice of respiratory therapy.
An 18 month Associate Degree program that allows graduates to to apply for examination to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

 

Graduates of this 18 month Associate Degree program are eligible to take a national examination from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to become a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant.
View All Allied Health Programs
Nurse Aide
6-week certificate program

 

Graduates from this one-year diploma program are eligible for licensure examinations to become an LPN in Virginia.

 

An advanced placement option for current LPNs to place one semester into the Professional Nursing program.
A two-year Associate Degree program that allows graduates to apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN©.
 
A flexible online program that allows Registered Nurses to further their education and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
View All Nursing Programs
91% Licensure Pass Rate*
#8 Forbes Top 30**
3.8/4 Student Satisfaction
90% Job Placement***

 

*Percentage of students, across all programs, that passed their licensure or certification exams on the first attempt.

**According to the nationwide 'Top 30 Two-Year Trade Schools' released by Forbes (2017).

***Percentage of students working in a related field within 12 months of graduation.

All numbers based off of the most recent reporting period (2022).

Woman holding a backpack and smiling
Prospective Student
Headshot of a male member of the Military
Military
Women in scrubs smiling
Accepted Student
Female student speaking in a classroom
Current Student
Male student looking at a clipboard
Alumni
female faculty member smiling and hugging a graduate

Our Values

We believe in fostering a learning environment designed to support students' educational and career goals.

outline of a heart with a heartbeat overlaid

Respect, trust and teamwork among our students, faculty, and staff that positively enhance our learning environment

outline of a head with a lightbulb inside

Change and its ability to drive creativity and innovation that leads to excellence.

image of paper and a rolled up diploma

Health careers education that fosters excellence, compassion, competence, safety, lifelong learning and self-esteem.

Campus building icon

Meaningful community involvement and partnerships that result in improved health care education and community well-being

Administrative building surrounded by fall leaves
Fall 2025

Application Deadlines

Early and regular accept application deadlines for all Fall 2025 classes are fast approaching! Find the program that is right for you and submit your application today.

How to Apply to RCHC

Riverside College of Health Sciences is certified to operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

The College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

This institution is approved to offer GI Bill ® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency.

Riverside College of Health Sciences has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide enrollment and degree verifications. The National Student Clearinghouse can be contacted at www.degreeverify.org.

CONTACT US

Want to learn more? Contact us!

Our team is here to help you through all aspects of the process. Contact our admissions team to learn more about the college and have your questions answered.