Explore Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 33 fields.

<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in African and African American Studies (AFR). A minor is also available. The department’s central mission is to offer students a deeper understanding of the intellectual, political, and cultural contributions of people of primarily African descent. The interdisciplinary approach of African and African American Studies provides students with the opportunities to engage in critical thinking across a spectrum of fields, including history, psychology, environmental and agricultural science, gender and sexuality studies, peace and social justice studies, transnational migration, political science, economics, health, media and technology, art, literature, music, theater, and other forms of expressive culture.</p>

African and African American Studies

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture and Natural Resources. The ANR Program’s curriculum provides all students with a sound foundation in ANR with flexible options to pursue training in particular areas of interest including the sciences, animal science, and natural resources management. Students often pair their ANR major with a minor in Sustainability and Environmental Studies, Forest Resource Management, or Business Administration.</p>
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Agriculture student sitting outside at Berea College

Agriculture and Natural Resources

<p>An Appalachian Studies (APS) minor is available and will complement and enrich any major program at the College. Berea students may also pursue an Independent Major in Appalachian Studies. Appalachian Studies is a multidisciplinary program examining various aspects of Appalachia. APS offers course work in literature, health issues, history, crafts, sustainability, entrepreneurship, contemporary issues, art, gender, and race in the region and how it interacts with the nation and world.</p>

Berea College Pinnacles forest Appalachia

Appalachian Studies

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<p>Graduates earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a concentration in either Art History or Studio Art. Minors are available in both concentrations. In the Studio Concentration, students focus on Ceramics, Fibers, Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture. Art History students study the visual culture of people around the world. Courses in Archaeology and opportunities in exhibition design and conservation are also offered. All students are encouraged to engage in a wide variety of study abroad experiences. All students must complete a capstone of either a group student exhibition of original art in on-campus galleries, or a public presentation of student-driven art historical research.</p>
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Berea College art - Doris Ulmann Galleries

Art and Art History

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Asian Studies or a minor in Asian Studies. Majors choose one of 3 concentrations: Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, or Comparative Asian Studies. Many students opt to combine Asian Studies with other majors or minors, including Art History, Computer Science, and History. Chinese and Japanese languages are taught at Berea.</p>
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Asian Studies

<p>Graduates earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology and a minor is also available. Specialty offerings in neurobiology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and more complement a foundational core of courses in general biology, zoology, botany, genetics, and evolution. Organismal field courses examine species and their ecology within the region. Strong partnerships between students and faculty advisors ensure access to tools necessary to complete a terminal degree or gain admission to graduate, medical, dental, or veterinary schools. Departmental work positions, clubs, well-equipped laboratories, and a plethora of robust experiential-learning opportunities further reinforce the curriculum.</p>

Biology

<p>Chemistry is central to many of the major issues that will face society for years to come. Such crucial issues range from energy and waste management to medicine and biotechnology. The program aims to prepare students to address chemical problems dominating today’s news headlines. The Chemistry Program offers a B.A. degree with three possible concentrations: general, professional (ACS certified), and biochemistry. A minor in chemistry is also available.</p>

Chemistry

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Child and Family Studies with a concentration in Family Studies, Child Development, or Nutrition and Food studies. Child and Family Studies draws educational concepts from many fields so a student might combine their major with a minor in Economics and Business, Education studies, or Psychology.</p>
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Children playing at Berea College's Child Development Lab

Child and Family Studies

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication. Minors in Communication or Broadcast Journalism are also available. Communication complements many other areas of academic study, so the possible major/ minor combinations are numerous. Students often combine their Communication major with a double major or minor in Business, English, Foreign Languages, Political Science, Theatre, and many more.</p>
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Communication

<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science with an emphasis in General Curriculum, Computer Science concentration with a focus in grad school preparation, Computational Mathematics, and Information systems. Within these concentrations students may study artificial intelligence, data science, sensing, and open source software engineering. A Computer Science minor is also available.</p>

Computer Science

<p>The goal of the Economics and Business Department is to provide students with a course of study that will help them understand and apply the theories and principles of economics and business. Students will learn to view problems and issues from multiple perspectives, apply analytic reasoning and decision making skills, and communicate effectively. Faculty and students will examine contemporary economic and business issues within a framework of ethical reflection and personal responsibility.</p>

Economics and Business

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Education Studies. Education Studies majors may either seek a general curriculum in education studies or a certification curriculum designed for students wishing to become K-12 classroom teachers.</p>
<p>Students interested in classroom teaching choose from the following programs:</p>
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<p>Elementary education (grades K-5);</p>
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<p>Middle grades education (grades 5-9) in math or science;</p>
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<p>Secondary education in English, mathematics, social studies, biology, chemistry, or physics (grades 8-12);</p>
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<p>Music education (grades K-12) with vocal and/or instrumental emphases;</p>
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<p>Physical education and health (grades K-12); or</p>
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<p>Engineering and technology education (grades 5-12).</p>
<p>Seeking teacher certification requires meeting academic and professional criteria at designated checkpoints in the Teacher Education Program. The program concludes with a professional term of Student Teaching in the 9th semester.</p>
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Education Studies

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<p>The Engineering Technologies and Applied Design Department (ETAD) at Berea College provides dynamic, relevant, and contemporary curriculum and facilities that engage students in design and production while emphasizing sustainable practices. Through practical, hands-on experiences within an immersive liberal arts education, the department strives to cultivate critical and creative problem- solvers with the capabilities to identify, analyze, and implement design solutions as responsible and globally minded citizens.</p>
<p>The ETAD Department now offers a single Core Degree – Bachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering Technologies and Applied Design. In addition to the core degree, we offer two concentrations in either Technology Management or Engineering and Technology Education (with teaching certification (5-12).</p>
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Berea College students in engineering class

Engineering Technologies and Applied Design

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<p>Graduates may receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English with a Concentration in Literature or a BA in English with a Concentration in Writing. A major in English combines well with study in many other fields, such as African-American Studies, Appalachian Studies, Communications, History, Peace and Social Justice Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theatre, and Women’s and Gender Studies. Students often double major with Education Studies to earn a P-12 teaching certificate.</p>
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English

Foreign Languages

<p>The General Education curriculum is where the goals of liberal education are explicitly addressed for all students. It is designed to help students (1) develop their abilities to think critically and to communicate effectively through writing and speaking; (2) deepen their understanding of their cultural heritage, including religion, history, the arts, and the natural and social sciences; and (3) cultivate their appreciation of human diversity and their capacity for moral reflection.</p>

General Studies

<p>In 2018, the Geology Program was brought back to Berea College with the hiring of Dr. Suzanne Birner. She teaches courses in introductory geology, mineralogy, petrology, geographic information systems, and more. The program offers a minor in Geology, and we also host fun on- and off-campus activities, such as movie nights, hikes, and trips to local gem and mineral shows.</p>

Berea College Geology professor Dr. Suzanne Birner looks through microscope

Geology Program

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<p>Graduates may earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in General Health and Human Performance, Health &amp; Human Performance, P¬-12 Teaching, or Health Studies. We offer minors in Health Studies and Dance. Impactful learning opportunities through coursework and labor positions, within and outside the department, are offered to enrich students’ learning experiences</p>
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health and human performance Berea College

Health and Human Performance

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History. A minor is also available. Students might pair their History major with a minor in other social sciences like Education Studies, African and African American Studies, Appalachian Studies, Asian Studies, and/or Women’s and Gender Studies.</p>
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History

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. A minor in Mathematics is also available. While the major is rigorous enough to stand alone, the requirements are flexible enough to allow a double major in a variety of disciplines, including Education Studies with a focus in Teaching Curriculum for a Mathematics (8-12) teaching certification.</p>
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Mathematics

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music Education with Vocal or Instrumental Emphasis. Both Music Education programs lead to P-12 teacher certification. A minor in Music is also available. Students often pair their Music major with a minor in Business, Marketing, or social sciences like Psychology.</p>
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Music

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In keeping with the aims and commitment of Berea College, the mission of the Nursing Program is to prepare students with great promise and limited economic resources for the practice of professional nursing in a variety of health care settings, and to provide a foundation for graduate study in nursing.</p>
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Nursing student at Berea College administering a shot

Nursing

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Peace and Social Justice Studies (PSJ). A minor is also available. The PSJ major combines well with other majors and minors, allowing students to further develop a particular topical focus. Peace and Social Justice is the study of the causes of social injustice and violence, and of the conditions and practices necessary for establishing justice, equity, and sustainable peace in human interactions. Students gain an understanding and learn to respond to and reduce conflict at the interpersonal, institutional, cultural, and global levels. Through hands-on experience, students gain leadership skills that will contribute to the development of systems and societies that promote peace and justice. No matter what life path you choose, you will use your knowledge, skills, and insights in effective work and compassionate action for peace with justice.</p>
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Berea College student holding a demonstration sign

Peace and Social Justice Studies

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<p>Study in philosophy engages questions about how one should live, our place in the universe, the nature of thought, and ways of knowing. Philosophy emphasizes the use of human rationality for effective and critical reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The philosophy curriculum prepares for a variety of careers using the breadth, depth, and reasoned rigor of philosophical thinking.</p>
<p>Graduate majors receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in philosophy. A minor in philosophy is also available. As an interdisciplinary field of study, a philosophy major combines well with a variety of minors or double majors such as English, peace &amp; social justice studies, women and gender studies, or political science.</p>
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Philosophy

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Physics. A minor in Physics is also available. Students might combine their major with a variety of minors from the physical sciences and beyond.</p>
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Physics

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science (PSC). A minor is also available. As an interdisciplinary major that operates through philosophical, historical, and behavioral lenses, PSC provides an understanding of how people attempt to deal with ordered relationships in institutions through the study of political organizations. Students might pair their PSC major with a minor in Sociology, Philosophy, Business and Economics, Peace and Social Justice Studies, or Law, Ethics, and Society, among others.</p>
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Political Science

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology. Berea’s Psychology program prepares students for post-graduate jobs in psychology-related fields and also provides a firm foundation for graduate-level training. Students might pair their Psychology major with a minor in Sociology, Biology, or Child and Family Studies among others.</p>
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Psychology

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<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology. A minor in Sociology is also available. Students may combine their Sociology major with several different minors because of its interdisciplinary nature. Examples of current combinations include Spanish, Child and Family Studies, Women and Gender Studies, and Peace and Social Justice. A major or minor in Sociology equips students with social research tools and theory for understanding and responding to complex social problems and engaging with the public toward meaningful solutions. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to be agents of social change in a variety of fields, including social work, law, education, and public policy.</p>
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Sociology

<p class="p1">Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Religion. A minor is also available. Students may pair their Religion major with any manner of minors from the natural to social sciences and vice versa.</p>
<p class="p1">The academic study of religion at Berea College enables students to explore many different human perspectives on the world, human life, and ultimate human concerns that appear within diverse cultures, across all historical periods, and through multiple traditions.</p>
<p class="p1">As a result of the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary character of religious studies, the Religion Department cross-lists many courses in this field of study in several other academic areas of the College’s curriculum including African and African American Studies, Asian Studies, History, Peace &amp; Social Justice Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies.</p>

Close up of old English dictionary page with word religion

Studies of Religion and Spirituality

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<p>Graduates receive a minor in Sustainability and Environmental Studies (SENS), often alongside majors such as Technology and Applied Design, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Art, or Peace and Social Justice. Independent majors are possible for students interested in interdisciplinary fields such as Environmental Health or Urban Planning.</p>
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Berea College sustainability and environmental studies

Sustainability and Environmental Studies

<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre. Minors in Theatre and Film Production are also available. From onstage to behind the scenes, and everything in between, students learn the foundations of a fully operating theatre.</p>

Theatre student applying makeup at Berea College

Theatre

<p>Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS). A minor is also available. Women’s and Gender Studies is an important interdisciplinary field of inquiry that arose from the efforts to understand gender roles and women’s historic struggle for justice throughout the world. The Women’s and Gender Studies Department explores the diverse experiences, contributions, and perspectives of women and men, offers an interdisciplinary approach to the examination of the cultural construction of gender, and provides a feminist critique of dominant power relationships in the global community (familial, social, economic, and political), as well as an opportunity to manifest Berea College’s commitment to gender equity.</p>

"There can be no love without justice...without justice, there can be no love." - bell hooks