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, all the credits count toward your degree. You can view a full list of courses here.

Take Advantage of Your Experience

When selecting your program of study, consult with your admissions 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 and Professional Studies courses are offered in the evening
• 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.
• We accept credits from regionally accredited 2- and 4-year institutions. To transfer credits, you should request that your official transcript 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 and determine how many credits are transferable to your chosen program of study.

Transfer Credit 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.

Admissions Requirements

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 (70% or higher) of high school or college chemistry and algebra
• 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.
• Applicants who wish to major in Nursing (with exception of LPNs or RNs) must provide evidence of satisfactory completion (70 percent or higher) of high school or college chemistry and algebra.

Advanced Placement for Licensed Practical Nurses (AP-LPN)

• Associate of Science Degree Program: Licensed Practical Nurses are eligible to apply for advanced placement in the A.S. Nursing program following admission to the University in the Undeclared major.
• Applicants may be granted advanced placement contingent upon proof of LPN licensure, a review of their LPN curriculum, and the successful challenge of Nursing 101 Nursing Fundamentals; Nursing 102 Care of the Adult I.

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