College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is dedicated to educating students for engaged citizenship, career success, and personal growth in a diverse and complex world.
CAS cultivates intellectual curiosity, artistic creativity, and academic maturity by promoting both broad academic inquiry and in-depth disciplinary study, while nurturing effective and ethical applications of transferable critical skills.
The CAS faculty demonstrate an expert and practical dedication in and out of the classroom, advancing the free exploration of ideas and artistry as well as encouraging the exploration of difficult problems within their fields of specialization.
In addition, CAS fosters engaged learning by encouraging students to spend time studying abroad; researching in collaboration with faculty; participating in creative and artistic works; and shadowing and interning at nationally renowned companies, governmental agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. The impact of these activities will stay with students forever, significantly enhancing the value of their education in the arts and sciences.
CAS aims not only to provide students with expertise and experience in their chosen field, but also to guide their learning of life-long skills that cut across disciplines. Abilities such as critical thinking, quantitative analysis, effective communication, informational literacy, and technological competencies prepare students to participate in a globalized world where active learning, not static knowledge, is essential.
In short, CAS inspires students to develop a deep understanding and appreciation of the foundational areas of human knowledge and values. It does so by means of a clear and well-defined general education curriculum and a wide array of specialized majors, minors and certificates.
Majors, Minors, and Certificates
CAS Majors, Minors, and Certificates
Students interested in pursuing a major, minor, or certificate need the approval of the chairperson or director of the minor program and the dean.
General Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies (GLASS) is available to all CAS students who are undecided regarding the selection of a major. For GLASS, specially designated advisors are assigned to help students explore the full range of their academic options. Students have until the completion of 60 credits to select a major. When the major is declared, a new advisor from that field is assigned for course selection and continued academic guidance.
General Science Program is structured to prepare selected first-year students for the rigors of college study in science, technology and mathematics. In this program, you’ll strengthen your academic readiness for college-level STEM courses and prepare for a successful transition into your intended major of choice through targeted coursework, faculty advisement and personalized resources. Students may declare the science, technology or mathematics major of their choice as a sophomore after fulfilling the program requirements.
Accreditation
Rider is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Degrees
At the undergraduate level, the College of Arts and Sciences offers:
- Bachelor of Arts - B.A.
- Bachelor of Arts in Music - B.A.M.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts - B.F.A.
- Bachelor of Music - B.M.
- Bachelor of Science - B.S.
- Bachelor of Social Work - B.S.W.
Resources
Preparation for the Study of Medicine and Dentistry
The College of Arts and Sciences offers a premedical studies advising program that focuses on preparation for admission to medical, dental, or other health-related professional schools such as chiropractic and podiatry. A background in the liberal arts also is provided, since many professional schools stress a broad general education.
A premedical committee and pre-professional advisors meet on a regular basis with students to assist in the selection of science and non-science courses, to provide information on the MCAT and DAT, and to advise students regarding procedures for admission to professional schools. As admission requirements vary slightly from school to school, students are urged to consult catalogs of the institutions where they desire to continue their education to make certain that they are completing the most appropriate undergraduate courses.
Students may major in any field of study and need not formally major in one of the sciences as long as they take the minimum number of required science courses. As a matter of practice, however, most pre-dental and premedical students major in biology, behavioral neuroscience, biochemistry, or chemistry. Students who intend to enter medical doctor programs must excel to ensure the adequacy of preparation and favorable consideration of their applications.
Preparation for Study in Allied Health Programs
The College of Arts and Sciences offers pre-allied health professions advising that focuses on preparation for admission to allied health professions such as nursing, physical therapy, sports medicine, physician assistant, occupational therapy, diagnostic imaging and radiologic sciences, medical laboratory sciences and pharmacy. Each of these disciplines has different prerequisite science and non-science coursework and other experiential requirements, and these may vary among institutions. There are also multiple pathways to bachelor’s, combined bachelor’s/master’s, entry level master’s degrees, or doctoral degrees in many of them.
The pre-allied health advisor at Rider helps students educate themselves on these varying professional fields and the requirements for entry into them. Students are also urged to consult with admissions personnel at institutions in which they seek to study in order to ensure that they are preparing competitive applications.
Preparation for the Study of Law
The College of Arts and Sciences offers pre-law advising that focuses on exploring legal careers and preparation for admission to law school.