Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, will offer over 100 summer programs in 2025 for high school students, adults, and veterans, covering subjects like business, the arts, game design, and humanities.
These programs give people of different ages and backgrounds a chance to learn new skills or build on what they already know.
First, Rider will hold summer sessions for students interested in college credit. These are six-week courses that move quickly and help students get ahead, try new subjects, or get back into learning after a break.
Registration for these courses opens on March 24, with more details available at rider.edu/summer.
Next, Rider offers Pre-College Summer Programs for high school students. These programs give students a chance to study at the college level. Also, students joining these programs can qualify for a $2,000 scholarship that renews annually for four years. The programs focus mainly on the arts.
They include several specific events. High School Solo Pianist Week runs from June 22 to June 27. Then, from June 29 to July 4, Rider will hold the Vocal Institute. From July 6 to July 11, two programs run at the same time—the Organ Institute and the Game Design Academy.
The High School Solo Vocal Artist program takes place from July 6 to July 19. Finally, the Musical, Theatre, and Film Institute runs from July 20 to August 2. These programs let high school students gain real experience in their fields of interest.
Rider also offers summer arts programs for adults. These week-long classes can be taken for academic credit or as workshops. Adults can learn from leaders in voice pedagogy, choral music, and conducting.
The Conducting Intensive runs from July 13 to July 19. The Choral Festival is scheduled for July 20 to July 26. From July 21 to July 25, adults can join the Voice Pedagogy Institute.
Finally, Special Topics in Choral Pedagogy will take place from July 28 to August 1. These courses give adult learners the chance to improve their skills with expert guidance.
Another important program is the CoOPERAtive Program, which focuses on vocal training for young singers. It runs from June 29 to July 5. Students in this program receive private voice lessons and get feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement.
This year’s program includes work with composer Evan Mack and librettist Joshua McGuire on their new opera, A Nearer Mother. Participants will study the opera and take part in the creative process. They may also choose to earn undergraduate or graduate credit for their work.
In addition to arts and academic programs, Rider offers free training for veterans through its Veteran Entrepreneurship Training (VET) program. This six-week program is for veterans, their spouses, and their dependents. It runs on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., starting on May 21 and ending on June 25.
The course is free, and those interested in college credit can take extra coursework. The program is run by Rider’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and is limited to 20 students to ensure personalized help. Participants will work on building a business idea and testing its potential.
The VET program is led by Dr. Ron Cook, a professor of entrepreneurship. It is funded by the New Jersey Bankers Charitable Foundation, Inc. This foundation was created in 2005 to support families of military members who were killed or permanently injured in the post-9/11 Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.
In 2015, the foundation expanded its support to include other charitable causes, including those that help veterans. Applications for the VET program are open until May 15 or until all spots are filled. People can apply at rider.edu/vep.
