Make more than a major decision, make a major difference.
As a student in the arts and sciences, with more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to choose from, you will receive a well-rounded, diverse education that broadens your skills and prepares you for life.
Impact the world and create solutions to help our Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability. Challenge yourself to understand issues and policies surrounding Social Justice and Diversity. Navigate the world to find common ground through Culture and Communication. Explore, research, and discover how to change the face of Technology and Medicine.
Learn more about our history and diverse departments in the video below.
Social Sciences
- African and African American Studies, BA
- Anthropology, BA
- Applied Sociology, BS
- Community and Regional Planning, BS
- Criminal Justice, BS
- Economics, (BA or BS)
- Geography, BS
- Political Science, (BA or BS)
- Psychology, BA
- Sociology, BA
Through our programs we connect you with the past, present and future of our world.
African and African American Studies
Learn about ethnic diversity, socio-political history and religious and historical evidence related to African peoples, both in Africa and in North America. Get a competitive edge in careers working in global economies within different cultures through this multidisciplinary degree.
Anthropology
Are you interested in excavating the remains of an ancient culture or analyzing forensic remains at a crime scene? Anthropology may be the degree for you.
ECU’s Department of Anthropology offers a global view in the study of people, both in the past and present, and allows students to specialize in biological anthropology, archaeology, or cultural anthropology. ECU offers field schools for archaeology, bioarcheology, cultural research, internship options and the opportunity to do honors thesis research. ECU graduates pursue a variety of careers including education, business and forensics.
Community and Regional Planning
You can make a difference in your community, state and world. This program is the only accredited undergraduate degree by the Planning Accreditation Board in North Carolina. More than 1,000 students have graduated from our 60-year-old program.
Criminal Justice
Our program explores every facet of criminal justice, which focuses on preventing crime and improving safety. A degree in Criminal Justice prepares you for advanced criminal justice or law studies or for work in local, state and federal justice professions. Our graduates are employed by diverse organizations, such as the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, just to name a few.
Economics
Economics applies math to better understand social issues, market forces, labor and human behavior. Economics can answer questions to make sound public policy and business decisions. We offer both a BA and BS degree in Economics.
BS Economics Concentrations:
- Applied Economics
- Quantitative Economics
- Economic Data Analytics
- Policy Analysis
Geography
Are you interested in understanding how societies have been shaped by their environment? Geography offers the study of societal and environmental change, the spread of disease, social justice and globalization. Students learn computer and technological skills related to map-making, geolocation and terrain analysis of the earth’s geographic features. Geography can be applied to many fields, including economic development, environmental planning and remediation, hazard management, and energy and environmental policy. Internships are available in community development, hazards impacts, coastal issues and other topics.
Geography Concentrations:
- Geographic and Environmental Systems
- Global Environment and Development
Political Science
Interested in politics, history, law, government or journalism? Then a political science degree is right for you. Learn about the world, polish skills in writing and prepare research and analysis. You will develop and present clear and persuasive arguments about issues that impact people's lives.
BS Political Science Concentration available in Pre-Law
Psychology
Learn about our human nature and interpersonal relationships. Analyze mental processes and interactions in ethnic, economic and cultural perspectives. You can participate in field research and experience clinical training. Psychology is one of the largest programs in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, with approximately 800 majors each year.
Sociology
Learn about our society, the diversity of marriages and families, our law and criminal justice system, medicine, politics, economics, race, gender and sexuality. Sociology graduates go on to a variety of occupations, including work in the criminal justice system, social service agencies, business, research and nonprofit organizations. We offer both a BA degree in Sociology and a BS in Applied Sociology.
Applied Sociology Concentrations:
- Applied Social Research
- Law and Society
- Marriage and Family
- Social Diversity
English
ECU’s Department of English is a vibrant and energetic collection of teachers, scholars, researchers and writers. You will find courses in literature, creative writing, technical and professional communication, rhetoric and composition, multicultural literature, linguistics, folklore, children's literature, teaching English to speakers of other languages, and film studies. Practicum opportunities are available to give students experience while earning course credit.
Foreign Languages and Literatures
French • French Education • German • German Education • Global Studies • Hispanic Studies • Hispanic Studies Education
From beginning language classes to advanced courses on culture, literature and cinema, foreign languages programs aim to provide a global perspective as well as a focused knowledge base that prepares students for jobs after graduation in areas like the Foreign Service, military, business, government, education, public health and public service.
Faculty in the department also teach Greek, Latin and classical studies courses. Russian and Russian studies courses are offered as well as Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and more. Students may either concentrate in one language or apply coursework in two different languages in a Global Studies concentration.
History
Do you enjoy learning about the cultures and peoples of the past? Traditionally accepted as the ideal preparation for careers in law, government, and teaching, history today is more valuable than ever due to writing and critical thinking skills developed in this program. As a student, you will benefit from close classroom interaction with faculty in medium-sized classes.
History Concentrations:
- Atlantic and Maritime
- Historical Studies
- Pre-Law
- Public History
Philosophy
Students in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies learn how to think critically while developing a broad skill set to decipher the fundamentals of human nature, reality and existence. You will study ancient, modern and contemporary philosophy in this inspiring course of study. A pre-law concentration is now available, instructing in analytical and reasoning skills with ethics and logic.
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Professional Writing and Information Design
Are you seeking a career in writing and designing information for industry, science, technology, engineering, media, health, or government? Professional communication and information specialists bridge the gap between subject matter experts (e.g., scientists and engineers) and those who must understand or implement their ideas. This program teaches information design, user experience and usability studies, and document management.
Mathematics
Math majors are in demand. You will learn critical thinking skills that will prepare you for a variety of career options in mathematics and related fields. Students enhance their skills in concentrations of mathematics, science, statistics or computer science.
We offer both a BA degree and BS in Mathematics.
ECU’s new 141,500-square-foot Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building serves as an interdisciplinary research space for faculty and students. It is the new home of the Department of Biology where students will conduct research that will have far-reaching impacts, with resources such as a $5 million coastal communities grant. As part of ECU’s Research and Innovation Campus, the building is also home to the new Eastern Region Pharma Center—a collaborative health care center that is in partnership with 15 pharmaceutical companies.
Applied Atmospheric Science
Are you interested in becoming a weather forecaster or enjoying a research career in meteorology? Applied atmospheric science prepares you to apply knowledge of weather and climate, meteorological observations, and forecasting to the societal challenges of natural hazards and climate change. You will learn the latest geospatial technologies, such as geographic information science and cartographic design, and apply them to understand coastal hazards, severe weather and hydrology.
Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry is home to the Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing Center of Excellence, established in 2015. The Center prepares students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, many graduates go on to medical and dental schools.
Geographic Information Science and Technology
Learn cutting-edge technologies of GIS, remote sensing, cartography, GPS and computer science in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment. Careers in GIST are among the top three fastest-growing fields. Potential careers include cartographer, GIS analyst, photogrammetry, surveyor, public works and utilities engineer, urban and regional planner, environmental manager and scientist.
Geology
Do you like the outdoors? Are you curious about rocks and minerals, rivers, volcanoes, glaciers, earthquakes, groundwater, global climate change, beach erosion and water pollution? ECU geology students learn about the wide range of external and internal geological processes that shape the world we live in and how to investigate environmental hazards.
Geology Concentration:
- Applied Research Professional
Physics
Physics is the study of matter and its motion along with related concepts such as energy and force. Learn about acoustics, electronics, medical physics, biophysics, biomedical laser applications, atomic collision processes, and parallel computing. ECU is home to the only particle accelerator in the UNC System.
Multidisciplinary Studies
Would you enjoy studying in several subject areas? Multidisciplinary studies enables motivated students to pursue degrees in specialized or new fields and encourage pursuit of research interests while working closely with faculty.
Concentrations:
- Environmental Studies
- International Studies
- Neuroscience
- Religious Studies
- Security Studies
Select Concentrations in Multidisciplinary Studies:
Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies is one of the fastest-growing interdisciplinary majors in the U.S. This degree provides a solid foundation for students interested in learning about the complex relationship between humans and their environment, practical responses to environmental problems, and the stories that shape our interactions with nature and the natural world.
International Studies
In the increasingly global job market, you will stand out with the cultural competencies gained in this program. Learn about the dynamics of intercultural understanding through study of social, political, cultural, and economic issues. International Studies is also a terrific foundation for graduate study in law, human rights, public policy, and non-profit work.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience provides you with an understanding of how mental processes and dysfunction arise from brain changes that have biological, chemical and physical associations. You get to perform cutting edge research with faculty across disciplines. Prepare for graduate programs that can lead to jobs in various medical fields and industry.
Religious Studies
In Religious Studies you will study religion from a nonsectarian, interdisciplinary fashion, exploring religion’s historical and cultural significance in the world. Religious Studies majors have attained careers in law, medicine, business, social service, counseling, teaching, public relations and more.
Security Studies
Wars, insurgency, terrorism, arms races, weapons proliferation, cyberwar, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and economic impact are all complex security issues that shape today’s policies and practices. In the Security Studies program, you will learn about these complex issues and be prepared for domestic and international careers in national security, law enforcement and foreign affairs.
Through study of natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, students become creative and contributing members of society with a broad knowledge of their world and even broader opportunities.
For information on your next steps, visit the Admissions website.
To learn more about the wide range of academic programs available at ECU, visit Degree Explorer.