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. 

Biological Sciences 
•  Biology
•  Biomedical Sciences

Chemistry
•  Biochemistry
•  Business-Oriented Chemistry
•  Chemistry 
•  Geochemistry

Communication
•  Communication Studies
•  Digital Media and Journalism
•  Film, Video, and Media Studies
•  Interpersonal Communication
•  Public Relations & Social Media Management
•  Strategic Communication

Economics
•  Economics
•  Economics: B.S. Program

English
•  English: Creative Writing 
•  English: Literature and Language
•  English: Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Environment, Geography, and Sustainability
•  Community and Regional Planning
•  Environmental and Sustainability Studies
•  Environmental Geography
•  Freshwater Science and Sustainability
•  Geographic Information Science
•  Global and International Studies
•  Sustainable Brewing
•  Tourism and Travel
•  Urban, Regional and Environmental Planning

Geological and Environmental Sciences 
•  Earth Science
•  Environmental Geology
•  Geochemistry
•  Geology
•  Geophysics 
•  Hydrogeology
•  Integrated Science

History
•  History 
•  Public History 

Intercultural and Anthropological Studies
•  African American and African Studies
•  Anthropology

Interdisciplinary Programs 
•  Social Studies
•  Student Planned

Mathematics
•  Applied Mathematics
•  Mathematics
•  Teaching and Learning Mathematics

Physics 
•  Geophysics 
•  Physics

Philosophy
•  Philosophy
•  Professional & Applied Ethics

Political Science 
•  International and Comparative Politics
•  Political Science Law
•  Political Science
•  Public Policy 

Psychology
•  Psychology

Public Affairs and Administration
•  Public & Nonprofit Administration

Sociology
•  Criminal Justice Studies
•  Gender and Women’s Studies
•  Social Psychology
•  Sociology

Spanish
•  Spanish 

Statistics
•  Data Science
•  Statistics

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

World Religions and Cultures 
•  World Religions and Cultures

Biological Sciences 
Biological Sciences 

Chemistry
•  Chemistry

Communication 
•  Communication
•  Film and Digital Storytelling
•  Journalism
•  User Experience/Human-Computer Interaction

Economics
•  Behavioral Economics
•  Economics

English
•  English: Literature & Language
•  English: Rhetoric and Writing Studies
•  English: Writing

Environment, Geography, and Sustainability
•  Climate Change Studies
•  Environmental and Sustainability Studies 
•  Geographic Information Science 
•  Geography
•  Global and International Studies
•  Social Studies: Geography

Geological and Environmental Sciences 
•  Earth Science 
•  Geology 
•  Group Science 

History
•  History 
•  Public History 
•  Social Studies: History 

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 

Mathematics
•  Actuarial Sciences
•  Mathematics - Secondary Education
•  Mathematics

Medieval Institute 
•  Medieval Studies

Philosophy
•  Philosophy
•  Philosophy: Professional & Applied Ethics

Physics 
•  Astronomy 
•  Physics 

Political Science 
•  Political Science
•  Political Science: Social Studies Secondary Education

Psychology
•  Psychology

Public Affairs and Administration
•  Nonprofit Administration
•  Public Administration

Sociology 
•  Criminal Justice Studies
•  Gender and Women’s Studies
•  Sociology
•  Sociology: Social Psychology 

Spanish
•  Latinx and Latin American Studies
•  Spanish 

Statistics
•  Data Science 
•  Statistics

World Languages and Literatures 
•  Arabic
•  Canadian Studies
•  Chinese
•  Classical Studies
•  French
•  German
•  German Study Abroad
•  Japanese
•  Latin

World Religions and Cultures 
•  World Religions and Cultures

Biological Sciences
•  Master of Arts in Biological Sciences
•  Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Chemistry 
•  Master of Arts in Chemistry
•  Master of Science in Chemistry

Communication 
•  Master of Arts in Communication 

Economics 
•  Master of Arts in Applied Economics

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 

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

Geological and Environmental Sciences 
•  Master of Science in Earth Science
•  Master of Science in Geosciences

History 
•  Master of Arts in History
•  Master of Arts in Public History

Mathematics 
•  Master of Arts in Mathematics
•  Master of Arts in Mathematics Education 
•  Master of Science in Applied & Computational Mathematics

Political Science 
•  Master of Arts in Political Science
•  Master of International Development Administration

Public Affairs and Administration
•  Master of Public Administration 

Science Education
•  Master of Arts in Science Education 

Sociology 
•  Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies 
•  Master of Arts in Sociology 

Spanish 
•  Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies

Statistics 
•  Master of Science in Data Science
•  Master of Science in Statistics 

World Religions and Cultures 
•  Master of Arts in Comparative Religion 
•  Master of Arts in Spirituality, Culture & Health

Environment, Geography, and Sustainability
•  Geographic Information Science 
•  Geospatial Applications of Unoccupied Aircraft Systems 

Geological and Environmental Sciences 
•  Hydrogeology
•  UAVs Applications in Geological and Environmental Sciences

History 
•  Cultural and Environmental Heritage Management 
•  History 

Political Science 
•  Climate Change Policy and Management 

Public Affairs and Administration
•  Tribal Governance

Science Education
•  College Science Teaching 

Statistics 
•  Applied Statistics 
•  Biostatistics 

World Religions and Cultures 
•  Spirituality, Culture & Health

Biological Sciences
•  Biological Sciences 

Chemistry 
•  Chemistry 

Economics 
•  Applied Economics

English 
•  English 
•  English: Creative Writing

Geological and Environmental Sciences 
•  Geosciences 

History 
•  History

Interdisciplinary Programs 
•  Interdisciplinary Studies

Mathematics 
•  Mathematics 
•  Mathematics Education

Physics 
•  Physics

Political Science 
•  Political Science

Science Education
•  Science Education
•  Science Education: Biological Sciences
•  Science Education: Chemistry
•  Science Education: Geosciences 
•  Science Education: Physical Geography 
•  Science Education: Physics

Sociology 
•  Sociology

Spanish 
•  Spanish 

Statistics 
•  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. 

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.