Definition
“Engaged Learning” refers to activities in which students apply knowledge gained in educational settings beyond the classroom; delve further with independent scholarship and creative expression; broaden their horizons with study abroad or cross-cultural encounters; become problem solvers, leaders and team members in their communities; and prepare for professional and civic lives that make a difference. Rider's students are required to complete at least two high-impact Engaged Learning Experiences that reflect the University’s strategic themes of leadership, ethics and social responsibility, and global and multicultural perspectives. Students are required to reflect upon how the experience impacted themselves and others in either a written short essay or in a structured group setting. These experiences will help students build bridges between their course of study and the world in which they live.
Requirements
All Rider University undergraduate students1 are required to earn a minimum of six points, spread across at least two Engaged Learning categories. The six categories of Engaged Learning are:
- Leadership and Mentoring
- Study Abroad and Cultural Exploration
- Guided Research and Scholarship
- Civic and Community Engagement
- Internship, Co-Op, and Field Work
- Arts, Media and Creativity
- 1
Transfer students who bring fewer than 31 accepted credits to Rider and have Freshman status are required to earn six (6) Engaged Learning points which must be spread across two or more Engaged Learning categories. Transfer students who bring 31 or more accepted credits to Rider and have Sophomore, Junior or Senior status are required to earn three (3) Engaged Learning points in any one or more categories.
Earning Points
Academic courses
Credit bearing courses approved as Engaged Learning Experiences need not be submitted by students to earn points. Once a student completes a course that has been designated as Engaged Learning, points equal to the number of credits (up to a maximum of 3 points), will be automatically assigned by the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office will insert the course on the Engaged Learning Transcript. A full list of the eligible courses is available on the Engaged Learning Program webpage.
Experiences
When students engage in experiences that are not connected to academic courses, they must initiate the review and approval process themselves. Forms for student submissions of eligible experiences are available in BroncNation, the student engagement platform. Instructions for completing the forms, submission guidelines, and a list of many eligible experiences are available on the Engaged Learning Program website.
Submitted experiences will be reviewed by designated approvers and, upon approval, will be reported to the Registrar by the end of each semester to be listed on the student’s Engaged Learning Transcript. For experiences not approved, students may appeal to their academic dean.
Contact
Ms. Sandra Ober
Engaged Learning Coordinator
Moore Library, Suite 120
609-896-5000 Ext. 7055
engagedlearning@rider.edu