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College of Social Sciences, Commerce, and Education

 

includes the Puri School of Business and departments of Education; Kinesiology; and Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice.

 

Rock Solid Science Banner

College of Social Sciences, Commerce, and Education

 

includes the Puri School of Business and departments of Education; Kinesiology; and Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice.

 

Rock Solid Commerce

College of Social Sciences, Commerce, and Education

 

includes the Puri School of Business and departments of Education; Kinesiology; and Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice.

 

Departments

Puri School of Business

The programs within the Puri School of Business help students develop both a sense of the history of their own discipline and of its relation to the other social sciences.

Majors

Accounting, CPA Track, B.A. or B.S.
Business Administration, General Track, B.A. or B.S.
Business Administration, Finance Track, B.A. or B.S.
Business Administration, Management Track, B.A. or B.S.
Business Administration, Marketing Track, B.A. or B.S.
Economics (B.A., B.S.) — concentrations in Finance, International Economics, Public Policy

Minors

Accounting
Business Administration
Economics
Entrepreneurship

Certificate

Finance
Human Resources
Leadership
Marketing
Operations Management

Graduate Certificates

Finance
Health Care Administration
Project Management

Graduate Programs

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Education

All teacher education programs are firmly rooted in the liberal arts to provide a broad range of knowledge and practical experiences that help our students prepare for their careers.

Majors

Early Childhood Education (B.A., B.S.)
Elementary Education (B.A., B.S.)
Middle Grades Education (B.A., B.S.)
Special Education (B.A., B.S.)

Minors

Bilingual Education
PK-12 Education – World Languages, Physical Education, Theatre and Visual Arts
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Secondary Education – Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics
Special Education

Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Kinesiology

The Kinesiology department offers programs of study focused on the art and science of human movement and sport.

Major

Kinesiology (B.A., B.S.) – tracks in Coaching, Exercise Science, Health Education, Sport Management, and Teaching

Minors

Coaching
Exercise Science
Health
Physical Education
Sport Management

Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice

The department of Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice is home to three programs that immerse students in a wide range of social science inquiry. Students explore the conceptual frameworks and methods essential to understanding the political, social, and legal phenomena that organize human communities. The department is defined by an open and critical exchange of ideas as it helps students develop the skills of critical thinking, articulate communication, and academic research necessary for success in college and professional life.

Majors

Criminal Justice (B.A., B.S.)
Political Science (B.A., B.S.)
Sociology (B.A., B.S.)

Minors

Criminal Justice
Political Science
Sociology

Jacob Hardesty

College Dean

Jacob Hardesty, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education

815-226-4097

 

The College of Social Sciences, Commerce, and Education (SSCE) has a diverse range of majors in the Puri School of Business and departments of education; kinesiology; and political science, sociology, and criminal justice. We also offer a degree in Social Science, which may be a desirable alternative to one of the departmental programs, especially for those students who plan careers in secondary teaching, social work, governmental administration or foreign commerce. Through the liberal arts tradition, students will develop broad-based critical-thinking and problem-solving skills which are of lasting significance and apply to an extended range of current and future careers. Students will also develop the specific skills that they need to progress in their chosen career along with the opportunity to apply those skills through service learning opportunities, clinical experiences, internships, and research projects.

Our faculty members bring experience in their respective fields as well as a deep knowledge of their field of study to the classroom.  Although active in research and community service, their primary focus is teaching and providing a customized path for students to accomplish their career goals and flourish as an intellectually curious citizen.

Our Students - What They Say

From the skills I have attained and developed at Rockford University, I am confident that they have shaped me into a more effective, efficient leader and thinker.

Tim Schmeling

Through the Elementary Education major, my classmates and I received endless opportunities to visit classrooms and get first-hand experience.

Samantha Kays

As I went through some core business classes when I came to Rockford, I realized that I began to really enjoy them because of the knowledgeable and caring professors.

Stephanie Tassone

I'm happy to say I successfully completed my licensure with an endorsement in PE with the help of Rockford University and am now doing what I love. The professors are supportive, and they helped make sure I stayed inspired in my career path.

Michelle Tucker

During finals of my 2013 Spring semester, I was given the opportunity to share my important research about low-birth rates and their causes and present this research at a national conference.

Megan Brechon

I would recommend Rockford University to others, and I do on a regular basis. I feel like the professors and sense of community fostered here go a long way in aiding the academic experience.

Matthew Fiedler

I chose Rockford University because I heard it was a great college. I loved the small class sizes, and the faculty and staff are amazing.

Maja Kuljanin

The faculty and staff really take the time to care about us as students and make sure that everyone understands the coursework. That's something completely unique that I had never experienced before.

Katie Hanson

Rockford University allowed me to pursue my personal interests and my professional goals at the same time.

Kipton Bucey

I was a transfer student, and the previous school I attended did not offer as good of financial aid packages as RU could offer me, which made my decision easy.

Ivy Hood

I came here to enhance my value as not only a current and future employee, but as a person. The MBA Program has taught me to respect and value another person's opinion and gain invaluable knowledge.

Eric Meyer

The thing I love most about RU is the ability I have to connect with my professors. This is really important to me because I feel like I can always come to them for help or academic advice if I need it.

Haley Foster

With endless amounts of resources available, it is hard not to succeed at Rockford University because the faculty genuinely cares about each and every student.

Andrea Bent

The classes I took at Rockford University related to and could be applied to what was going on in the world, and they helped me understand how things work and why things work the way that they do in our government.

David Smith