Communications Degree

The communications program at Rider University prepares the student to enter the fields of advertising, marketing, organizational communication, public relations, publishing, human resources, law, criminal justice, politics, public administration, and more. The program focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Program courses include: intercultural communication, speaking and listening, verbal and nonverbal interaction, rhetorical theory and criticism, argumentation and persuasion, technologically mediated communication, and popular culture. Get more details below including other Florida colleges that offer communications degrees.

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Rider University

552 E Woolbright Rd, Boynton Beach, FL

Rider University, located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, was founded in 1865. The school was one of a chain of business schools operated by Henry B. Bryant and Henry D. Stratton, and was opened near Trenton to provide educational opportunity after the Civil War. The school's first president, Andrew Jackson Rider, was responsible for the growth and development of the school, including the admission of women in 1896.

RU was renamed Rider Business College in 1897 in recognition of the Mr. Riders efforts. The school began a liberal studies program in 1957 that allowed for the awarding of bachelor of arts degrees, and changed its name to Rider College to better reflect its expanding program offerings. The school merged with partner Westminster Choir College, located in Princeton, in 1992 and received university status in 1994, changing its name to Rider University as a result.

Academics

Today the school offers a large and diverse number of programs through its many colleges, allowing students to choose a major that best suits their career goals and plans. Programs typically take four years to complete and result in a bachelor's degree. Students will take lower and upper division courses specific to their area of study, general education courses that are required of all degree pursuing students, and a number of elective courses that allow students to experience non-major courses. Additionally, students may seek to obtain a minor degree alongside their major, requiring a set number of classes in a given subject in order to broaden one's areas of expertise.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Advertising
• Biology
• Economics
• Political Science

Admissions and Financial Aid

Rider University requires any student wishing to enroll to supply a completed application, transcripts, test scores, essays and recommendations from teachers. The supplied material will be reviewed by the college, taking into account the various aspects of one's activities and education when rendering the decision for admission. Students will be notified after the final decision is made, with admitted students being provided additional information to prepare them for college life and education.

Students applying to the School of Arts will also have an additional admissions requirement in the form of an audition prior to a final decision.  Graduate programs have separate requirements for admission which include having earned a bachelor's degree, strong graduate test scores and a good academic record. Graduate programs have limited enrollment and each have their own specific requirements.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which is used by the school's financial aid office to determine a student's needs and aid program eligibility prior to the disbursement of funds.

Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to each academic year and students receiving aid may be asked at ransom to supply additional tax information to be compared to the FAFSA in order to confirm the information is true and accurate.

Students Enrolled in the Communications Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Rider University offers a bachelor's degree program in communications.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Radio and Television Announcers

Description

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio or television. May announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

Public Address System and Other Announcers

Description

Make announcements over public address system at sporting or other public events. May act as master of ceremonies or disc jockey at weddings, parties, clubs, or other gathering places.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, public address system and other announcers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 2.9% from 2014 to 2024

Public Relations Specialists

Description

Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, public relations specialists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.2% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).