Guided Pathways

The Guided Pathways framework is a highly structured approach to student success that: 1) provides all students with a set of clear course-taking patterns that promotes better enrollment decisions and prepares students for future success; and 2) integrates support services in ways that make it easier for students to get the help they need during every step of their community college experience. Guided Pathways is designed to provide students with the most direct route to degree completion, greatly increasing a student’s chance of graduating or transferring in two years, and to connect college to careers.

Instructional Pathways
Instructional Pathways were developed by RCC faculty and counselors to group programs of study into related career areas of interest. At the point of college application, students will choose an Instructional Pathway based upon career interest, major, skills, knowledge, and goals. RCC programs of study have been restructured into eight Instructional Pathways.

Each of the instructional pathways are supported by a student success team. The student success team provides integrated academic support such as tutoring, peer mentoring, faculty advising, counseling, student success workshops, and career exploration opportunities. The academic support is offered within the Engagement Centers on campus.

Integrated academic support such as tutoring, peer mentoring, faculty advising, counseling, student success workshops, career exploration opportunities by Instructional Pathways is provided within the Engagement Centers.

Trailheads
Trailheads are designed to help students navigate through their first 15-units at RCC within their chosen Instructional Pathway. The Trailhead courses will allow students to explore their major and career choices within their anticipated program of study while remaining on path for timely completion. Trailheads should be used by new students who are undecided on a major. Students who have identified a specific program of study should use a Program Map to guide their course taking sequence.

Program Maps
Riverside City College faculty and counselors have collaborated to create program maps that describe an ideal course taking pattern and co-curricular milestones for timely degree and certificate completion. Current program maps can be found on the College website. Students are encouraged to meet with a Riverside City College counselor to review their options for graduation and transfer and to develop an individualized educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.