Professional Studies Admissions

Your Path to Advancement and Success

Our undergraduate Professional Studies programs are designed to help you achieve your educational and career goals in a way that works best for you.

Want to try out a program before you fully commit to enrolling? You can take up to four courses (12 credits) before you officially apply to a degree program. If you decide to enroll after any of the four courses, all your credits earned count toward your degree. You can view a full list of available courses here.

Information Sessions

Information sessions offer a great chance to learn more about your intended program and to have your questions answered by a faculty member or Enrollment Counselor. The Information Sessions are live, virtual sessions.

ASN | Virtual Information Session | 5:30 p.m.

• October 5, 2023
• November 2, 2023
• December 7, 2023
• January 4, 2024
• February 1, 2024
• March 7, 2024
• April 4, 2024
• May 2, 2024
• Jume 6, 2024

Register for a session, contact an Admissions counselor at (603) 897-8507 or book a one-on-one virtual meeting today.

Take Advantage of Your Experience

When selecting your program of study, consult with your Enrollment Counselor to make the most of your prior education and professional experience. We will explore the following with you and talk about how your background and work experience can enhance your path to professional success:

• Credit transfer
• Credit for prior learning
• Challenge exams

Achieve Your Goals at Your Speed

• Apply for admission at any time—we use a rolling admissions system and will notify you of acceptance within 2-4 weeks from application completion
• Begin your studies in the fall, spring, or summer—Rivier offers multiple start dates throughout the year
• Choose your workload—you can start with only one course at a time or accelerate your learning. Programs are offered on-campus with evening courses and online.

Transfer Credits and Finish Faster

Rivier accepts up to 90 credits toward a Bachelor’s degree and 45 credits toward an associate degree. Credits must be from a regionally accredited 2- and 4-year institution. To transfer credits, you should request that your official transcript(s) be sent to:

Rivier University
Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions
420 South Main Street
Nashua, NH 03060

Your advisor will review the transcript(s) and determine how many credits are transferable to your chosen program of study. See additional admissions requirements for transfer applicants below. Please note that transfer credit will not be awarded for credits taken from or transcribed through Portage Learning via Geneva College. This policy applies to credit for classes enrolled after July 1, 2023.

Admissions Requirements

All programs require a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA for admission with the exception of Nursing. A minimum 2.67 cumulative GPA is required for admission to the RN to BSN program. Nursing applicants whose GPA falls below this minimum will be evaluated and may be considered for admission.

When applying to Rivier, you must submit the following:

• Application for admission
• Official high school transcript or GED
• One letter of recommendation from an employer, professor, or professional colleague
• If you wish to major in Nursing and are currently not an LPN or RN, you must provide evidence of satisfactory completion (C+, 77% or higher) of high school or college chemistry and algebra.
  • If you are applying to the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program and you are not an LPN, your score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) will be required to complete your application for admission.
• Essay—a personal statement, one or two pages in length addressing one of the following questions:
  • Looking out five years from now, where do you see yourself on your career path? Describe how your academic and/or life experiences have shaped and might help you reach your career goals. Please develop at least two specific examples.
  • Rivier University is a Catholic university dedicated to transforming hearts and minds to serve the world. Help us understand how your background and interests match Rivier’s mission. In your response, feel free not only to draw upon your past but also to look forward. What do you want to study, and why? What do you plan to do with your degree that will connect to the University’s mission?

Transfer Applicants

• In addition to the above, transfer students will need to submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. We may request the catalogs or course descriptions if necessary to evaluate your course work.
• Transfer applicants with an associate’s degree do not need to submit high school transcripts. This applies to all programs with the exception of nursing.

Rivier University does not discriminate in its application process. Read our non-discrimination policy.