Biology students in lab

Academics

The College of Arts and Sciences represents the academic heart and liberal arts core of Western Michigan University and provides a broad range of academic programs for students. In the College of Arts and Sciences, we bring together world-class researchers, teachers and learners to provide a high-quality liberal arts education that bridges the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

Explore our academic programs

In the College of Arts and Sciences, we provide a variety of learning experiences that will serve as the foundation for continuous discovery and lifelong learning. Our students are equipped with a foundation of skills and values that will enable them to adapt, learn, and lead as they and the world around them evolve.

Explore our undergraduate, master's and doctoral offerings across our 23 schools, programs and departments in the list below. 

Department of Biological Sciences 
•  Biology
•  Biomedical sciences

Department of Chemistry
•  Biochemistry
•  Business-oriented chemistry
•  Chemistry 
•  Geochemistry

School of Communication
•  Communication studies
•  Digital media and journalism
•  Film, video, and media studies
•  Interpersonal communication
•  Public relations and social media management
•  Strategic communication

Department of Economics
•  Economics
•  Economics (B.S.)

Department of English
•  English: creative writing 
•  English: literature and language
•  English: rhetoric and writing studies

School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability
•  Environmental and sustainability studies
•  Environmental geography
•  Freshwater science and sustainability
•  Geographic information science
•  Global and international studies
•  Tourism and travel
•  Urban, regional, and environmental planning

Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences 
•  Earth science
•  Environmental geology
•  Geochemistry
•  Geology
•  Geophysics 
•  Hydrogeology
•  Integrated science

Department of History
•  History 
•  Public history 

Institute for Intercultural and Anthropological Studies
•  African American and African studies
•  Anthropology

Interdisciplinary programs 
•  Social studies

Department of Mathematics
•  Applied mathematics
•  Mathematics
•  Teaching and learning mathematics

Department of Physics 
•  Geophysics 
•  Physics

Department of Philosophy
•  Philosophy
•  Philosophy: professional and applied ethics

Department of Political Science 
•  International and comparative politics
•  Political science law
•  Political science
•  Public policy 

Department of Psychology
•  Psychology

School of Public Affairs and Administration
•  Public and nonprofit administration

Department of Sociology
•  Criminal justice studies
•  Gender and women’s studies
•  Social psychology
•  Sociology

Department of Spanish
•  Spanish 

Department of Statistics
•  Data science
•  Statistics

Department of World Languages and Literatures 
•  French
•  German
•  Japanese
•  Latin

Department of World Religions and Cultures 
•  World religions and cultures

Department of Biological Sciences 
• Biological sciences 

Department of Chemistry
•  Chemistry

School of Communication 
•  Communication
•  Film and digital storytelling
•  Journalism
•  User experience/human-computer interaction

Department of Economics
•  Behavioral economics
•  Economics

Department of English
•  English: literature and language
•  English: rhetoric and writing studies
•  English: writing

School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability
•  Climate change studies
•  Environmental and sustainability studies 
•  Geographic information science 
•  Geography
•  Global and international studies
•  Social studies: geography

Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences 
•  Earth science 
•  Geology 
•  Group science 

Department of History
•  History 
•  Public history 
•  Social studies: history 

Institute for Intercultural and Anthropological Studies
•  African American and African studies
•  Anthropology
•  Race and ethnic relations

Interdisciplinary programs 
•  Asian studies
•  Legal studies
•  Medical humanities
•  Modern European studies
•  World literature 

Department of Mathematics
•  Actuarial sciences
•  Mathematics - secondary education
•  Mathematics

Medieval Institute 
•  Medieval studies

Department of Philosophy
•  Philosophy
•  Philosophy: professional and applied ethics

Department of Physics 
•  Astronomy 
•  Physics 

Department of Political Science 
•  Political science
•  Political science: social studies secondary education

Department of Psychology
•  Psychology

School of Public Affairs and Administration
•  Nonprofit administration
•  Public administration

Department of Sociology 
•  Criminal justice studies
•  Gender and women’s studies
•  Sociology
•  Sociology: social psychology 

Department of Spanish
•  Latinx and Latin American studies
•  Spanish 

Department of Statistics
•  Data Science 
•  Statistics

Department of World Languages and Literatures 
•  Arabic
•  Canadian studies
•  Chinese
•  Classical studies
•  French
•  German
•  German study abroad
•  Japanese
•  Latin

Department of World Religions and Cultures 
•  World religions and cultures

Department of Biological Sciences
•  Master of Arts in biological sciences
•  Master of Science in biological sciences

Department of Chemistry 
•  Master of Arts in chemistry
•  Master of Science in chemistry

School of Communication 
•  Master of Arts in communication 

Department of Economics 
•  Master of Arts in applied economics

Department of English 
•  Master of Arts in English
•  Master of Arts in English: professional writing
•  Master of Arts in English: teaching 
•  Master of Fine Arts in creative writing 

School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability
•  Master of Science in geography

Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences 
•  Master of Science in Earth science
•  Master of Science in geosciences

Department of History 
•  Master of Arts in history
•  Master of Arts in public history

Department of Mathematics 
•  Master of Arts in mathematics
•  Master of Arts in mathematics education 
•  Master of Science in applied and computational mathematics

Department of Political Science 
•  Master of Arts in political science
•  Master of International Development Administration

Department of Psychology
•  Master of Arts in behavior analysis 
•  Master of Arts in industrial organizational behavior management

School of Public Affairs and Administration
•  Master of Public Administration 

Mallinson Institute for Science Education
•  Master of Arts in science education 

Department of Sociology 
•  Master of Arts in criminal justice studies 
•  Master of Arts in sociology 

Department of Spanish 
•  Master of Arts in Hispanic studies

Department of Statistics 
•  Master of Science in data science
•  Master of Science in statistics 

Department of World Religions and Cultures 
•  Master of Arts in comparative religion 
•  Master of Arts in spirituality, culture & health

Department of Biological Sciences
•  Doctor of Philosophy in biological sciences 

Department of Chemistry 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in chemistry 

Department of Economics 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in applied economics

Department of English 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in English 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in English: creative writing

Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in geosciences 

Department of History 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in history

Interdisciplinary Programs 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in interdisciplinary studies

Department of Mathematics 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics education

Department of Physics 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in physics

Department of Political Science 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in political science

Department of Psychology
•  Doctor of Philosophy in behavior analysis
•  Doctor of Philosophy in clinical psychology
•  Doctor of Philosophy in industrial organizational behavior management

Mallinson Institute for Science Education
•  Doctor of Philosophy in science education
•  Doctor of Philosophy in science education: biological sciences
•  Doctor of Philosophy in science education: chemistry
•  Doctor of Philosophy in science education: geosciences 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in science education: physical geography 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in science education: physics

Department of Sociology 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in sociology

Department of Spanish 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in Spanish 

Department of Statistics 
•  Doctor of Philosophy in statistics

My professor consistently encouraged me to step far beyond my comfort zone, to engage meaningfully in the investigative process, and to consider how my skills and experiences could serve the public good.
— Michigan State Police Trooper Shelby Wilmot | psychology
WMU student in lab classroom

Academic resources for arts and sciences students

Whether you're seeking help with your studies or looking for advice on your future career, we have the resources for you. WMU's College of Arts and Sciences advisors and faculty are here to offer support. 

Pre-professional pathways

The College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University offers three pre-professional pathways for students to choose from to prepare you for professional school upon graduation. These pathways are meant to enhance your major and tailor your experience to a chosen profession. Whether you plan to enter a health profession, attend law school or become a 7th - 12th grade teacher, our pre-professional pathways offer the guidance, support, academic preparation and field experience you need to be successful.

Start exploring today and click below to find out more.

Study abroad students holding WMU flag in Japan

Study abroad

Enhance your education by raising your geographical and cultural awareness to understand global dynamics that impact your life. 

An anthropology student working at the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project.

Experiential learning

Experiential learning lets you move beyond textbooks to work with faculty, engage in real‑world research and fieldwork and build practical skills that make a meaningful impact.

WMU students in anthropolgy looking at skeleton

CAS scholarships

CAS offers a a variety of departmental and institutional scholarships and grants to help cover the expenses of your education.