Message from the Dean
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In describing the pervasive and overarching influence of Arts and Sciences on virtually every other sector of the university, our former dean once said that "A&S is the spark that light's NKU's flame!"
It is indeed just that. Its 13 departments, two centers, and 20 interdisciplinary studies programs together constitute an extraordinarily diverse pathway for our students to global learning and personal growth.
We are delighted that you've discovered us, and we invite you to explore the educational and experiential riches associated with those programs that combine to make us among the best colleges of arts and sciences in the entire country. In brief, here's who we are.
Arts:
Amazingly, our college offers 30 different majors in Music, Theatre, Dance, and Visual Arts. These departments occupy the entire Fine Arts Building with its three theatres, one concert hall, and two galleries, as well as a wide assortment of studios, labs, and shops. Arts programs excel at outreach and community connection, for each year they directly interact both on and off campus with over 30,000 K-12 students, teachers, and civic organizations across the triad area. And this doesn't include the thousands of patrons who attend music concerts and recitals, plays, and art exhibits throughout the year! Faculties in each of these disciplines maintain extensive professional credentials which enable them to effectively integrate practice and theory.
Humanities:
Our college offers 11 different majors in English, History, Geography, and World Languages and Literatures. In addition, we offer the Master of Arts in English launched in fall of 2008 and the Master of Public History scheduled for launch in January of 2010. With emphases in the historical, geographic, literary, linguistic, and cultural traditions of human society, these departments provide significant experiential learning to students interested in the world's cultural evolution. Humanities faculty are devoted to engaging students in international travel, to mentoring students in research and creative writing, and to exciting students' interests in and understanding of the full breadth of human society and its growth across eras.
Mathematics & Statistics:
In fall of 2009, our Department of Mathematics and Statistics launched a statistics major to complement its Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with three separate tracks in pure, applied, and general mathematics and one track in teacher certification/secondary education. The department houses the Burkardt Consulting Center which provides services to on and off campus individuals and organizations and, subsequently, which affords mathematics and statistics majors valuable professional experience.
Natural Sciences:
Our college offers 15 different majors in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, and Engineering Technology. In addition, these departments offer an array of pre-professional training in dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, engineering, forestry, optometry, physical therapy, physician assistant, and wildlife management as well as an interdisciplinary major in environmental science. The seven-year young science building contains state-of-the art technology and the new Haile Digital Planetarium. Natural sciences faculty are renowned for their involvement of students in substantial real-world research, publications, poster presentations, and conferences and associations.
Social and Behavioral Sciences:
Our college offers 10 different majors in Political Science, Criminal Justice, Organizational Leadership, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy. We also offer a Master of Public Administration, a Master of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and an interdisciplinary major in international studies. Faculty in these disciplines are remarkably busy scholars and field researchers devoted to advancing the world's understanding of social, cultural, and behavioral roots, traditions, and growth patterns. Whether in classrooms, labs, co-ops, or in the field, majors in these disciplines find themselves immersed in challenging problem-solving, hands-on activities, and scholarly explorations.
Integrative Studies:
In addition to the somewhat traditional majors above, the College of Arts and Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate majors in Integrative Studies. These interdisciplinary majors enable students to personalize their approach to learning by designing their own course of study. The masters degree is intended for teachers who want to expand their knowledge or secure rank change or who aspire to teach at the community college level as well as for anyone who seeks professional advancement in a variety of careers. The strength of these majors lies in their great flexibility and in their particular suitability for non-traditional and adult learners.
By visiting this website and by exploring websites for all those programs that make the College of Arts and Sciences what it is, you have begun a fascinating adventure! More than any other NKU college, Arts and Sciences is a multi-dimensional arena of study which prepares students for their first job, their last job, and every other job in between.
Journey through our websites and then come visit us on campus. Come talk with us, view our facilities, mingle with our current majors. Dare to dream and imagine yourself working with us to shape your readiness for personal and professional success and thus to fulfill your dreams. We stand committed to you and the community we serve.
Warm regards,
Samuel J. Zachary, Interim Dean