NASHUA – Following its highest fall enrollment in its 90-year history, Rivier University recently announced that it is establishing a new interdisciplinary major: a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Social Sciences, which will be available for the fall 2024 semester.

This new program will build on Rivier’s history in the liberal arts and prepare students for a variety of careers in all sectors: public, private, and non-profit. It will be grounded in the University’s historic focus on the dignity of all individuals, an authentic learning community and deep respect for intercultural traditions and beliefs.

This Humanities and Social Sciences interdisciplinary major will provide students with a distinctive, integrated program using applied, interactive and experiential learning that draws upon the disciplines of English, history, political science, philosophy, religion and sociology,” said Rivier President Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM. “This new major encompasses the humanities themes initiated through the Journeys of Transformation core curriculum that is an essential element of the University’s academic experience.”

Students in this degree program will develop intellectual, attitudinal, and practical skills for their journeys: inquiry and analysis, critical and creative thinking, clear written and oral communication, quantitative and information literacy, innovative problem-solving and effective collaboration. These skills will be learned and practiced in the context of progressively more challenging problems, as well as individual and collaborative projects that have clear standards for a demonstrated mastery of these skills. The major will also include unique opportunities for research.

The major’s theme of Stewardship, Society and Service will provide students with a broad perspective and opportunities to understand current and emerging issues, especially those requiring civic engagement, intellectual knowledge, ethical reasoning and entrepreneurial drive.

The courses within this new program will enable students to meet requirements for disciplinary concentrations in English, social studies and science in Rivier’s well-recognized early childhood and elementary education teacher preparation programs for licensure.

The critical thinking, problem-solving, and clear communication skills students develop through this interdisciplinary major will lay the foundation for a variety of careers. These include business executive, financial analyst, NGO leader, communication manager and government official. It will also prepare students for graduate study in any of the humanities or the social sciences disciplines, as well as law and business school.

Detailed program and course information is available online at rivier.edu/humanities. To schedule a visit or speak with an admissions counselor, contact the Admissions Office at 603-897-8507 or at admissions@rivier.edu.

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