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Advance your career with our flexible academic programs designed to fit the schedules of working professionals. Register for upcoming courses today!
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 offer a great chance to have an admissions counselor answer your questions about Rivier in a small group setting. You can get answers to questions about our academic programs, faculty, financial aid programs, and more.
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 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.
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 BSNÂ 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:
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.
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Explore Programs
Our undergraduate Professional Studies programs will prepare you for professional success.
Start Today
Apply for admission or speak to an admissions counselor to start your educational journey today!
Financial Aid
We are committed to making a Rivier education affordable for as many students as possible. To do so, we keep our costs among the lowest for private colleges and universities in New England.
Contact
Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions