Rider To Offer Master's Degree In Health Communication

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - Rider University will offer the first master’s degree in health communication in New Jersey beginning this fall, the university announced. The 33-credit Master of Arts in Health Communication will help prepare students to excel in communications roles within the healthcare industry.

It helps prepare working professionals to become effective communicators who can advance public health policy, influence the health and lifestyle behaviors of individuals and underserved population groups, and improve overall health outcomes.

"There is a high demand for expert communicators with the skills to advance knowledge of health care and health policy, and that need is only expected to grow," Program Director Dr. Pamela Brown said. "The program continues Rider's significant investment in health care education and builds upon our proven record of producing outstanding outcomes for our communication students."

The new Master of Arts in Health Communication recently received full program status after previously being offered as a concentration within Rider’s Master of Arts in Business Communication. Both are under the umbrella of the Department of Communication and Journalism in Rider’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The program’s all-online format also gives students the freedom and flexibility to pursue career-advancing graduate credentials at their own pace while being part of a dynamic and interactive learning community.

The curriculum is applicable to the fields of public relations, advertising, marketing, advocacy and more. Among its objectives, it prepares graduates to create and execute health communications campaigns, address gaps in health literacy and education, and translate complex medical terminology for a general audience.

It is the latest program Rider offers in the field of healthcare. Other programs include a Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Policy, a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Healthcare Management.

Throughout the year, Rider's Health Studies Institute sponsors lectures, workshops and conferences on timely and important health-related subjects that are open to students and faculty, health professionals, and the general community.

"As careers in health care, and health care communication, continue to grow, we are determined to provide a quality education that will help meet the workforce demand for skilled health care professionals," Brown said.