Associate Degrees for Transfer in Physics
Riverside, USA
Associate Degree
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jul 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 514 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* per unit | for F-1 international students total estimated cost per year is $29,591
Key Summary
Physics is the study of how nature works. Processes within the entire universe, including your body, are explained with the principles of Physics. Completion of the Physics: Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) will prepare you to meet minimum lower-division admission requirements (60 transferable units) for transfer to a California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC). Some UC's require additional coursework, please meet with a counselor for additional information. The Physics program map below includes all of your major coursework and recommended general education courses by term that is needed to fulfill your degree and transfer requirements.
Financial Aid Support for Your Educational Goals
There are many types of financial aid available to you at RCC. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application is required for most financial aid forms. Types of financial aid include grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and student loans.
Federal Grants
- Federal Pell Grant (Part of FAFSA application)
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG - Part of FAFSA application)
State of California Grants
- California College Promise
- Cal Grant Program
- Student Success Completion Grant
- Chafee Grant Program for eligible foster youth and former foster youth
- California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP)
Riverside Community College District Scholarship
There are over 250 scholarships available to students through the RCCD Foundation, and only one application is needed to apply. If you are an admitted student at RCC and have a student email address, you can apply for scholarships offered by the RCCD Foundation.
CGACC-RCC International Student Scholarship
International Students at Riverside City College are welcome to apply for CGACC-RCC Scholarship. This scholarship is in the form of a tuition fee reduction estimated at $1,250. The application deadline for CGACC-RCC International Student Scholarship is July 25, and the results of the students selected are typically announced by August 6.
To be eligible for this award, the applicant must be a new or continuing international student who will study full-time at one of the RCCD colleges (Riverside City College, Norco College, or Moreno Valley College) on an F-1 Student Visa in the fall semester. Transfer students can also apply. New international students who apply for the scholarship must have a completed RCC international student application, submit all required documents, and receive an RCCD I-20.
Physics - ADT (CSU and UC) 3-year plan
0-15 units
*For the first term Math course please see MyPortal for your proper placement or see a counselor if you have AP scores of 3 or higher.
Term 1
- Art History 6/6H, Music 19, Dance 6/6H or Theater Arts 3 --- 3
- English 1A or 1AH --- 4
- Math 36* --- 4
- Political Science 1 ---3
16-26 units
Term 2
- English 1B or 1BH --- 4
- Communication Studies 1, 6 or 9 --- 3
- Math 10 --- 5
27-40 units
Term 3
- Anthropology 2 or Sociology 1 or 2 or 12 --- 3
- History 15--- 3
- Math 1A --- 4
- Physics 4A --- 4
41-52 units
Term 4
- Guidance 46 --- 1
- History 1 or 2 --- 3
- Math 1B --- 4
- Physics 4B --- 4
53-64 units
Term 5
- Math 1C --- 4
- Physics 4C --- 4
- Psychology 1 --- 3
- Elective --- 1
65-75+ units
Term 6
- Biology 18 or 19 --- 3
- Foreign Language (or two years of high school foreign language) --- 4-5
- Physics 4D --- 4
For alternative CSU General Education options refer to the RCC Catalog, under Requirements for College Transfer.
Salaries Range : $48,944 - $147,211
- Theoretical Physicist
- Research Physicist
- Astrophysicist
- Nuclear Physicist
- Accelerator Physicist
- Optical Physicist
- Engineer