The 2024 - 2025 College Catalog is now available for review!
The consumer information includes enrollment rate, licensure and certification pass rates, job placement rates, graduation rates, program and employer satisfaction. Learn more here.
It is the policy of Riverside College of Health Sciences to maintain and promote equal educational opportunity without regard to race; age (except where age is a bona fide clinical requirement); color; sex; gender identity or sexual orientation; cultural, ethnic or national origin; religion; marital status; military or veteran status; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; genetic information; disability; physical or mental condition(s), as long as the condition(s) do not limit the applicant/student’s ability to perform the Essential Program Requirements with or without reasonable accommodations as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title III Public Accommodations, ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992, Section 504; the U.S. Department of Justice’s revised final regulations implementing the ADA; Va. Code (annotated) §51.5-44; protected activity; or any other legally protected status in its educational programs or activities. Inquiries concerning this policy should be addressed to the college disabilities officer who can be reached at 757-240-2203. The campus is handicap accessible.
Federal regulations require we notify our students that a federal or state drug conviction can disqualify a student for federal student aid. Convictions count:
- If for an offense that occurred for periods while enrolled and
- If during that enrollment period the student was receiving federal financial aid such as federal loans, Pell, ACG, SMART, SEOG grants or federal work study.
Period of ineligibility for FSA funds for the possession of illegal drugs:
- 1st offense - 1 year from date of conviction
- 2nd offense - 2 years from date of conviction
- 3+ offenses - indefinite period
Period of ineligibility for FSA funds for the sale of illegal drugs:
- 1st offense - 2 years from date of conviction
- 2nd offense - indefinite period
- A conviction for sale of drugs includes convictions for conspiring to sell drugs. If convicted on both possessing and selling, the longer period of ineligibility applies.
A student regains eligibility the day after the period of ineligibility or when a qualified drug rehabilitation program is successfully completed. A qualified drug rehabilitation program must include at least two unannounced drug tests and must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
- Be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a federal, state or local government program.
- Be qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a federally or state-licensed insurance company.
- Be administered or recognized by a federal, state or local government agency or court.
- Be administered or recognized by a federally or state-licensed hospital, health clinic or medical doctor.
For more information about eligibility for federal aid, please visit https://studentaid.gov/. Information on the school's substance abuse prevention program is available in the school catalog. The school's substance abuse policy is available from the Registrar's office. The policy is also located in the Student Handbook for enrolled students.
Riverside College of Health Sciences is a small, non-residential, commuter college with an annual enrollment of approximately 500 students. The College maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of alcohol and/ other drugs in the educational environment and is consistent with Riverside Health's policy. The college has no ability to affect the cost, laws, or licensure of alcohol in the areas surrounding of the campus.
Although marijuana is legal for recreational purposes in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it has the ability to impair cognition, which is a safety hazard, particularly in clinical areas. Students who use marijuana for medical purposes must have medical certification from a Board of Pharmacy-registered practitioner. The medical certification must also verify that the medical use of marijuana will not impair cognitive functioning or the ability to perform safe patient care. Students are drug-screened prior to matriculation. Consistent with the college’s zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy, admission will be withdrawn for a student who tests positive to marijuana or other DEA Schedule drugs if they do not possess a legal prescription or medical certification.
The college provides a substance abuse prevention program that is designed to educate the campus community on issues of personal safety and well-being. The program provides information and resources related to the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Learn more here.
Upon graduation, prior criminal offenses must be reported on your application for credentialing examination and may negate eligibility for credentialing and employment in Virginia. Prospective students with prior criminal offenses are encouraged to contact the following professional boards before applying to the college. Learn more here.
The college recognizes a student’s right to attain employment in related or unrelated fields. During the hours of employment, students will not represent themselves as students, wear the student uniform or display their student identification badge. Students may not substitute clinical experience received during the time of employment for clinical experience required by the individual program. Students employed in a health care setting must work only in their appropriate scope of practice and may not practice or perform skills learned in a program of study.
Our programs are designed to meet the educational requirements for licensing or certification that is required for employment. State requirements for credentialing vary; in addition to educational requirements, an agency or board may require additional criteria be met.
If you are physically located outside of Virginia, or intend to practice in another state, we encourage you to contact the state board or agency in the state in which you plan to practice for the most complete and up-to-date information pertaining to licensure and certification. Learn more here.
Technology Requirements
CANVAS Student Learning Management System:
All enrolled students are required to have access to a computer with reliable Internet connection with audio and video capability (webcam and mic built in or external components). The college uses Canvas as its Learning Management System for coursework and communications. To ensure you have the appropriate technology to access and work within Canvas, please visit this LINK to review the technology requirements for Canvas.
Respondus Lockdown Browser and Response Monitor:
In addition, some courses use the Respondus Lockdown Browser for exams, for which a strong internet connection is needed. For system requirements for Respondus LockDown Browser, please visit this LINK. It is strongly encouraged that students use a desktop or laptop computer running Windows or macOS when taking exams. Devices such as iPads and Chromebooks may be sufficient, but some Android and Windows tablets may not be compatible with Respondus LockDown Browser.
You also are required to use Respondus Monitor with a webcam, which will record you during an online exam. For system requirements for Respondus Monitor, please visit this LINK. Your computer must have a functioning webcam and microphone. A webcam (built-in or external) is used to validate the testing area with a 360-degree environment scan. We understand that desktops create a challenge in regard to the environment scan; however, a 360-degree view of your surroundings and showing your full desk space is a requirement for your courses. If you have a very large desktop monitor that is unable to fulfill this requirement, it may be necessary to purchase an external webcam. Instructions on downloading and installing this browser will be given at the start of your courses.
Internet Requirements:
To view the video lectures we highly recommend using a high-speed internet connection.
For exams, the LockDown browser will require high-speed internet connection to avoid exams being locked. Primary cause for a LockDown Browser issue is brief internet connection interruption or multiple devises using the same network, such as gaming, cause overcrowding on the router, which will affect the performance of the LockDown Browser. Additionally, a private computer is required for exams as a public and/or employer device will not allow for downloading the required software.
Additional Technology Requirements:
All students are encouraged to follow these basic technology requirements:
• Computer should not be more than 5 years old.
• Most current version of Browser. Google Chrome is the
recommended bowser for all college online activities.
• Reliable broadband connection (cable modem, DSL, etc.)
• Computers must have video and audio capabilities.
• Capability to view, create, and save documents (Microsoft
Office 365 is available exclusively to our students—see
learning management system for details)
• Current anti-virus and anti-spyware applications that are
updated regularly.
Mobile devices may or may not have the capabilities that a computer or laptop have. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they have what is minimally required to be successful in the program. Upon acceptance, students are provided unique secure login information (username and password) and instructions for accessing their schedules and orientation materials. During New Student Orientation, students will complete a technology orientation which includes a computer literacy assessment and hands-on training as needed.
Technology Support:
Technology support is provided by College IT staff and available throughout the week and with limited access on weekends.
For assistance with computers, network, or wireless issues, please call: 757-240-2466 or email [email protected].
For assistance with the student information system (Sonis), please call: 757-240-2465.
For assistance with the learning management system (Canvas), please call: 757-240-2258
