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Rhode Island College is a public, comprehensive college located in Providence, Rhode Island. The oldest of three state-governed colleges and one of the nation’s first normal schools, Rhode Island College was established in 1854 as the Rhode Island State Normal School by order of the Rhode Island General Assembly. The College’s creation was due largely in part by the efforts of Henry Barnard, the first state agent for education in Rhode Island, and Barnard’s successor, Elisha Potter. By 1920 the school offered a four-year program which culminated in a Bachelor of Education and was renamed Rhode Island College of Education. In 1958 the College moved to its current campus in the Mount Pleasant section of Providence and in 1959, broadened its scope to become a general college, changing its name, once again, to Rhode Island College.
Academic Programs
Rhode Island College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The College currently offers nearly 100 majors and programs through its five schools: Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Feinstein School of Education and Human Development; School of Management; School of Nursing; and the School of Social Work. The most popular undergraduate programs at Rhode Island College include liberal arts, business, education, nursing, and social work. Rhode Island College offers a number of graduate-level programs as well as a College Honors Program which is designed for motivated, high-achieving students.Rhode Island College’s undergraduate degrees include a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Social Work. Hands-on learning is highly encouraged at Rhode Island College with opportunities for undergraduate research; field experience in social work, classroom observation, and student teaching in education and more. Rhode Island College also offers a well-established internship program through the School of Management; study abroad experiences which last a semester, year, summer, or January Short Term; and domestic study away programs which are offered through the National Student Exchange.
Student Life
Rhode Island College has a total enrollment figure of more than 8,000, including over 7,000 undergraduate students. The College offers on-campus accommodations for more than 1,000 students in its six coeducational residence halls, which feature social lounges, laundry and kitchen facilities. Rhode Island College also offers students the opportunity of belonging to a Living & Learning Community, including the First Year Residential Experience (FYRE) communities. Located in suburbs of Rhode Island’s capital city, Rhode Island College is just one hour away from Boston and three hours outside of New York.Rhode Island College boasts a variety of student-led clubs and organizations, a vibrant Greek Life community, opportunities for trips, events, student leadership development and more. Rhode Island College’s varsity teams – which include a dozen women’s team and nine men’s teams – compete at the NCAA Division III level in the Little East Conference. Rhode Island College’s sports facilities include the Murray Center with its 32,000-sqare-foot wooden floor. The Murray Center is Rhode Island College’s home competition site for a number of varsity programs including basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and wrestling. The Center is also fully equipped with a varsity weight room, an athletic medicine area, athletic training area, locker rooms, and classrooms.