Organization and Structure of the Academic Program—Majors and Minors
The College’s instructional program is organized into three academic divisions—humanities, social studies, and science and mathematics—each chaired by a member of the faculty under the general oversight of the Dean of the College. The work of each division is carried out through separate program committees representing the various academic disciplines. Major Program Committees are comprised of faculty members and one or two student members. Major and minor areas of concentration offered within the divisions are as follows*:
Humanities (Division I)
Majors: art history, studio art, Chinese, classical studies, English, French, German studies, music, philosophy, Spanish, theatre.
Minors: art history, studio art, Chinese, classical studies, creative writing, English, film studies, French, German studies, music, philosophy, Spanish, theatre.
Social Studies (Division II)
Majors: anthropology/sociology, business, economics and finance, history, international studies, politics, religion.
Minors: anthropology, education, history, international studies, politics, religion, sociology.
Science and Mathematics (Division III)
Majors: behavioral neuroscience, biochemistry and molecular biology, biology, chemical physics, chemistry, computer science, data science, mathematics, physics, psychology.
Minors: behavioral neuroscience, biology, chemistry, computer science, data science, health and medical studies, engineering, mathematics, physics, psychology.
Interdisciplinary (cross-divisional)
Major: environmental studies.
Minors: African and African American studies (I), Asian studies (I), environmental studies (II), gender studies (II), Latin American studies (I), linguistics (I), Middle Eastern studies (II), social justice (II). For administrative purposes, these programs report to the noted division.
*One major (no minor) is required for the degree. Students may choose a maximum of two majors and one minor or one major and two minors.
Double Majors
Students may choose to complete two majors during their four years at Centre. This option allows students to expand their academic credentials and explore sometimes quite different personal interests. Some recent combinations include economics and finance and mathematics, Spanish and international studies, psychology and philosophy. Students who double major have an advisor from each program.
Students declaring more than a single major must think carefully about their ability to complete all of their declared major and minor requirements, taking into consideration other plans such as study abroad and/or internships and research. The College does not guarantee that a student can complete more than one major in four years, and exceptions to major and minor requirements cannot be made due to conflicts with requirements in the primary major or due to study abroad.
Self-Designed Majors
In addition to the standard majors, students may also develop a major of their own design. They develop their personal program of junior-senior major study in conjunction with a faculty committee. The completed self-designed major proposal is then submitted for approval by the Academic Standards Committee. By necessity, self-designed majors must rely, substantially, on the strengths and expertise of our faculty and our course offerings. Recently approved self-designed majors include Asian studies, Middle Eastern studies, public policy, film studies, and social justice. More detailed information is available from the Office of the Assistant Dean and Director of Student Academic Support. Self-designed minors are not permitted.