Undergraduate Degree Programs: Arts and Sciences

As an art student at Saint Joseph’s University, you will pursue your interests and passion through courses in art history, graphic design, photography and more. You’ll be challenged to express yourself in new media and respond to context.

As an art history major at Saint Joseph's University, you will dive into the history of art throughout the world as you develop your ability to view, assess and analyze various forms of art and visual culture. You will also have access to many exciting cultural opportunities in the Philadelphia region to gain experience in the field.

With the 21st century predicted to be the “Asian Century,” the role of Asia on the world stage is becoming increasingly prominent. An Asian studies degree from Saint Joseph's University will help guide those who wish to assume roles of leadership in this new world.

As a biochemistry student, you’ll dive into an exciting interdisciplinary field that explores the chemicals and chemical reactions in living systems. You’ll learn to use powerful analytical tools — including nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy — to study the molecules that power life.

A biology degree from Saint Joseph’s University exposes you to all levels of biological organization, from the sub-cellular to the broad ecosystem. Our program is built with core courses covering the fundamentals of biology, a distribution of upper-level course across the major areas of biology and free electives.

As a biomedical sciences major at Saint Joseph’s University, you’ll have the opportunity to design a personalized degree in the health concentration of your choice. A rigorous and flexible curriculum covers every area of biomedical sciences and includes a variety of tracks including biotechnology, clinical science, neuroscience and physician assistant. 

The chemical biology major at Saint Joseph’s University, offered by the departments of biology and chemistry, will provide you with the tools needed to understand the chemical processes that occur at the molecular level.

The chemistry major at Saint Joseph’s introduces students to all of the major sub-disciplines in chemistry: analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic and physical. Emphasis is placed on chemistry as a laboratory science.

Saint Joseph’s communication sciences and disorders major provides students with the preparation necessary to apply to speech-language pathology grad programs.

As a communication studies major, you will gain knowledge and experience to pursue a career in media, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, law, film and more.

A computer science degree from Saint Joseph’s University will help you become part of an exciting and fast-paced industry, opening the door to a wide range of technical fields and opportunities.

Saint Joseph’s University's criminal justice degree program will help cultivate a sense of honesty, fairness and integrity and prepare you for a productive and rewarding career dedicated to helping others. As a criminal justice major at Saint Joseph's University, you will explore an interdisciplinary perspective on crime and justice.

The data science major and minor at Saint Joseph's University prepares students with the theory and skills necessary to analyze and derive insights from large data sets. Students in this program learn techniques from mathematics (particularly statistics) and computer science.

Economics majors at Saint Joseph’s University will study how economic reasoning is used to determine how society can effectively meet its human and material needs. By analyzing buyer and seller behavior in various markets, students will be able to think like an economist and how they view the world in terms of problem-solving and decision-making.

An English degree from Saint Joseph’s University offers excellent training for a broad range of careers, from public relations to teaching to journalism and beyond. Employers continue to seek talented and articulate individuals who can analyze complex situations, and a degree in English will teach you how to write both creatively and persuasively.

Saint Joseph’s University’s environmental science major offers a strong foundation in the natural sciences. You will develop skills in experimental design, surveying scientific literature, data collection, data reduction and the presentation of scientific conclusions to a range of audiences.

Saint Joseph’s University’s Francophone studies program offers students the opportunity to hone their language skills while gaining a multidisciplinary perspective on the French-speaking world.

With French spoken by more than 276 million people in 29 countries on five continents, having the ability to speak, read and write in French has countless personal and professional benefits.

Saint Joseph’s Graphic Design program prepares students with hands-on experience to develop skills in design, digital media and interactive media.

At Saint Joseph’s University, history majors uncover the mysteries, tragedies and triumphs of the past. You will investigate how previous societies have dealt with common human concerns and evaluate the outcomes. 

The demand for students with an information technology degree has been increasing in recent years due to the changes in cloud computing, big data and information security.

As an international relations major, you will acquire valuable skills in communication and analysis, independent judgment, appreciation of different societies and cultures and knowledge of world affairs and trends. You will learn how various regional civilizations have evolved and how those characteristics continue to affect the world today.

The Italian major at Saint Joseph’s University will introduce you to Italian culture and language in a way that is both fun and gratifying.

The Italian studies major provides students the opportunity to become proficient in the Italian language through courses in Italian culture and history.

As a linguistics major or minor at Saint Joseph’s University, you will study how languages work, where they come from, how they are used in society, how they are learned and how they change over time. You have the option to follow a general linguistics track or select a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

As a mathematics major or minor at Saint Joseph's University, you will study abstract algebra, real analysis, statistics and more. The program provides the experience necessary to help you become an analytical thinker with a commitment to problem-solving, a highly-regarded skill in any career path. You will also have the opportunity to take independent study courses or write an honors thesis, offering further preparation for your future career.

Saint Joseph’s biology department offers a one-of-a-kind medical laboratory science program that puts the focus on the science behind the medicine. With a versatile curriculum and a year-long internship in a medical or clinical lab, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to investigate and solve the mysteries of health.

The music major or minor at Saint Joseph’s University provides a comprehensive curriculum that deepens musical understanding and awareness, fosters creative expression and encourages critical analysis and inquiry. It combines coursework in music theory, composition, history and performance.

Saint Joseph’s University’s neuroscience major and minor features interdisciplinary training that few colleges can match. Our program faculty are experts in a wide range of neuroscience specialties, allowing you to examine the nervous system across a variety of theoretical and clinical contexts.

The philosophy major and minor at Saint Joseph’s University will foster your ability to think logically, evaluate arguments, communicate effectively, examine assumptions and live an intellectually rich and ethically engaged life.

As a physics major at Saint Joseph’s University, you will use systemic reasoning and call on your imagination to understand the laws of nature, the structure of matter, and the behavior of physical processes — the keys to many of the universe’s secrets.

The political science major and minor at Saint Joseph’s University offers the opportunity to examine politics, government and the political process. This program is ideal for those interested in the study of power, behavior, compromise and relationships between political figures in a variety of different contexts.

The Department of Psychology at Saint Joseph's University provides students with an understanding and appreciation of behavior and mental processes.  Our major prepares students to continue toward a career in mental healthcare, become a psychological researcher, and to work in industry in a variety of jobs that require the skills we teach.

The public policy degree program at Saint Joseph's University prepares you for a future career helping populations that are often marginalized in the policymaking process. You will gain important critical-thinking skills through an inclusive and diverse community lens. The interdisciplinary coursework focuses on theory, analysis and application of policy to prepare you for a future career or graduate work.

Saint Joseph’s quantitative economics major prepares students to use analyzed data, programming skills and quantitative modeling to solve economic problems.

Religion is a fundamental dimension of the human experience in today’s world. Religious Studies majors at Saint Joseph's University acquire and hone tools for the critical analysis of the major religious traditions found throughout the world.

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Saint Joseph’s University provides students with opportunities to analyze and assess human behavior and its impact on society. The sociology department is comprised of expert teachers and active researchers working to understand society and make positive, practical applications of their findings. Sociology majors go on to work in government, law, public service, criminology, research and nonprofit organizations.

With more than 580 million Spanish speakers located around the world, having the ability to read, write and converse in Spanish has countless benefits, both personally and professionally.

The theatre and film major at Saint Joseph's University nurtures creative expression and technical proficiency while fostering intellectual curiosity and cultural awareness. Students declare a concentration in film/TV, musical theatre or theatre.

Theology majors at Saint Joseph's University acquire and hone tools for critical analysis of many different components of theology and religious traditions. Students also explore a deeper understanding of how the Roman Catholic tradition has interacted throughout history with Judaism, Islam and other Christian and non-Christian traditions. Majors encounter different strategies and approaches for welcoming the stranger and serving the common good.

Saint Joseph’s University is the perfect place to begin your studies if you're undecided about your major. Our undergraduate curriculum includes a comprehensive General Education Program (GEP) which is designed to keep you on track for graduation while exploring entry-level courses in a number of disciplines.

The Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Certificate prepares students for a career analyzing and interpreting data to create visualizations of society's biggest problems. The certificate curriculum teaches you the technical skills to build GIS models while understanding the context surrounding the field. This certificate is currently only available to current undergraduate students at Saint Joseph's University.

The American studies minor at Saint Joseph’s University allows students from any major to focus their electives on the study of American history, literature, art, music, politics, ideas and institutions.

At Saint Joseph's University, Classical Studies majors have the opportunity to choose between two concentrations: classical languages and literatures or ancient cultures. Ancient cultures is an interdisciplinary program that allows students to specialize in an area of their own interest.

The Animal Studies minor is an interdisciplinary field that invites students to not only learn more about animals, but to also investigate the relationship between human and non-human animals.

In the art therapy program at Saint Joseph's University, you will learn the theories and concepts in psychology and art to deliver transformational and whole-person-focused care.

The Chinese language and culture program at Saint Joseph’s University prepares students for opportunities and challenges involving the greater region of China and its people — economically, socially and politically. You will learn the Chinese language and gain a window into the history and culture of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with roots extending more than 6,000 years.

The classical studies minor offers courses in Latin and ancient Greek, ranging from elementary to advanced levels. Advanced courses cover the works of major authors and all literary genres, featuring a comprehensive exploration of both language and culture.

The commercial photography minor at Saint Joseph’s University will help you develop the technical skills needed to produce commercial work within the food, entertainment, advertising and digital marketing industries. The minor also includes coursework focused on the necessary business acumen needed to work in these fields including job estimates, pitching clients and working in creative teams.

Saint Joseph's University offers an interdisciplinary study across the departments of computer science, physics, and mathematics for students interested in minoring in computational engineering & applied physics. This interdisciplinary minor gives you a broad understanding of all the elements of computational science and engineering to ensure that you leave the program with the knowledge you need to be competitive in your field.

The creative writing minor at Saint Joseph’s University prepares students to tell stories that matter. The minor will build your writing skills in multiple genres including fiction, poetry, screenwriting, magazine writing, food writing and personal memoir.

A minor in environmental and sustainability studies at Saint Joseph’s University helps students understand how human activities impact the world.

The faith-justice studies minor at Saint Joseph’s University challenges students to consider existing social beliefs and priorities in light of Gospel values and faith-based social justice traditions.

The film and TV minor at Saint Joseph’s University is a great option for students fascinated by cinema and television who want to pair it with a major in another discipline.

In the gender studies minor program at Saint Joseph’s University, you will explore how gender intersects with race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, gender identity and other factors to create system-wide structures and individual-level psychologies.

The health care ethics minor at Saint Joseph’s University focuses on the study and appreciation of philosophical and theological ethics.

Saint Joseph’s University’s minor in industrial and organizational psychology is an interdisciplinary major that combines coursework in psychology and management.

With its interdisciplinary focus on Irish literature, culture and politics, Saint Joseph’s University’s Irish Studies minor is an exceptional platform from which to investigate issues of diversity, globalization and social justice.

The Journalism Minor at Saint Joseph’s University provides students with a wide array of news writing, reporting, editing and multimedia skills.

Saint Joseph’s University’s justice and ethics in the law (JEL) minor emphasizes the ethical, corporate, social and political structures that underlie the law.

At Saint Joseph’s University, the Latin American and Latinx studies minor offers interdisciplinary coursework in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Haub School of Business. Students in this program participate in programs in countries such as Mexico, Chilé, El Salvador, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic.

Offered at the undergraduate level, the managing neurodiversity in the workplace minor focuses on the challenges and opportunities of working with neurodiverse individuals with conditions such as ADHD and, primarily, autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The medieval, renaissance and reformation studies minor at Saint Joseph’s University offers an interdisciplinary look at the development of Western civilization.

Saint Joseph’s museum studies minor prepares students for the history, theory and ethics of museums and its role in past, present and future generations.

The music industry minor at Saint Joseph’s University provides a strong foundation in the theoretical and creative aspects of music, along with practical training in business, music marketing and promotion.

As a pharmaceutical chemistry student, you’ll learn all aspects of drug development, from initial design to delivery. You’ll gain valuable, hands-on experience and use sophisticated equipment in laboratory courses such as Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry and Chemical Synthesis. You’ll also have the opportunity to intern and conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member and an industrial/governmental scientist.

Saint Joseph’s University's Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) minor is a six-course program that provides essential training for teaching the English language at home or abroad in private language schools, community centers, bilingual programs and other contexts that do not require state certification.

The theatre studies minor offers students who have chosen to major in another discipline the opportunity to explore their interest in theatre. With its unique focus on acting, directing and theatre history, the minor develops skills that are valuable in any endeavor.

The theology and religious studies minor at Saint Joseph’s University explores the sacred texts, material cultures and central teachings of both Christian and non-Christian traditions.