Rivier University Degrees & Programs
Rivier University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Most Affordable MPH Online Programs.
College degrees at Rivier University are available at every level of study, from undergraduate to doctoral, and the university allows students to pursue degrees on campus or online. The freshman retention rate is 76 percent, which is modestly higher than the national average. Some of the departments at work at Rivier University include the Departments of Biology, Sociology, English, Mathematics & Computer Science, Education & Counseling, and Psychology.
Some of the topics available for study at the undergraduate level include biology, criminal justice, elementary education, history, marketing, psychology, and sport management. Areas of focus available for graduate students include computer information systems, education administration, family nurse practitioner, business, counseling, and nursing.
Meanwhile, students who want to conclude their college studies with a doctoral degree may pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice, a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning with Nursing Education Specialization, a Doctor of Psychology in Counseling and School Psychology, or a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning.
One of the convenient features of the online programs at Rivier University is the option to transfer credits into one of the university’s programs. Students are allowed to transfer up to 90 credits into the program of their choice for bachelor’s degrees and up to nine credits for graduate degrees. Online programs are offered for undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional students.
Some of the degrees available online include a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems, a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, and a Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education. Additional degrees include the Bachelor of Science in Public Health, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and the RN to BSN program for nursing.
There are several options for Master of Business Administration students to concentrate in an area of their interest with available options in marketing, information technology management, management, and healthcare administration. Students may also enroll in business-related degrees in areas like homeland and international security, finance, cybersecurity management, and sport management.
About Rivier University
Rivier University is affiliated with the Catholic Church and is a liberal arts institution in the State of New Hampshire. Located in the town of Nashua, the university was named in honor of its founder, Anne-Marie Rivier. The university’s official colors are white and blue, and the school has existed at its Nashua location since 1941, after having been founded in 1933.
The school was originally open only to females, but it would become coeducational in 1991. Today, around 2,500 students attend the university, which also has more than 70 full-time faculty members and a group of 30 on its board of trustees. The sports teams are part of NCAA Division III games, and students play as the Raiders. The most popular major at the university is teacher education, which is the focus of around 30 percent of the university’s students.
Rivier University Accreditation Details
Rivier University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., and this accreditation represents a university-wide approval. The university is also approved for operations by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Institutional accreditation allows the university to award undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, as well as host professional studies programs. The university is also authorized to offer online programs.
The university belongs to the New Hampshire College & University Council, and a few of its programs are further accredited on a programmatic basis. Programs in nursing are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accredited degrees include the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s programs. Accreditation from ACEN is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the Department of Education.
Rivier University Application Requirements
First-time students who want to attend Rivier University will need to submit a variety of documents, as well as adhere to the university’s curriculum requirements for recently graduated high school students. While in high school, prospective students at Rivier University should make sure to take four years of English, two years of social science, one year of laboratory science, three years of math, two years of a foreign language, and four additional academic credits of the student’s choice.
Admission requires that students submit the official application, an essay or writing sample, official high school or college transcripts, and standardized test scores. Students should also submit a letter of recommendation. Students are welcome to fill out the official Rivier application or the Common Application, which is used by several colleges throughout New England.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for students who enroll in 18 credits or fewer each semester is $32,440 annually for undergraduate programs. Housing costs vary between $5,870 and $9,690 per year, and a dining plan varies from $5,850 to $6,140 per year. There are some other fees that students may need to pay, and part-time students will pay a per-credit rate of $1,080 rather than a full-time tuition rate.
For graduate degrees and certificates, the university charges $620 for degrees and certificates and charges $1,015 for its graduate nursing clinical courses. Some of the fees students may pay are a graduation fee of $75, a certificate cost of $50, and a course materials fee that will usually vary with the class taken. The cost of a challenge exam is $80, and obtaining credit for prior learning is $80 per credit.
Rivier University determines the financial aid awarded to its students by examining the availability of aid, as well as the financial need and academic achievements of the student. Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for federal student loans. Students must reapply each year to maintain their financial aid awards and eligibility. Types of aid that may be awarded to a student include loans, scholarships, and grants, and some students may even qualify for student employment on campus.
A change in the student’s expected family contribution may result in a modification of the amount of money offered to a student in financial aid. Not only can students qualify for federal grants like the Pell Grant, but they can also obtain institutional grants from Rivier University like the Founders Merit Scholarship, the Adams Achievement Scholarship, and the Samuel A. Tamposi Si. Scholarship.