Bridgewater College

AI Literacy

The certificate in AI Literacy is designed to integrate with any major and provides students with the opportunity to acquire one of the most relevant skills in today's job market. The program emphasizes practical applications of AI and is designed to offer hands-on, project-based learning opportunities. The certificate is offered online through a consortium of accredited colleges and universities, with students registering through and receiving academic credit from Bridgewater College.

Art

The art major requires a bachelor of arts degree and consists of a minimum of 36 semester hours. Coursework spans foundations, art history, studio focus areas and a professional practices capstone, supporting interests in visual art, teaching, visual communication and graduate study in art and design. Students may not double major in Art and Digital Media Arts.

Athletic Training

The objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The MSAT program requires 63 credit hours for degree completion, including clinical experiences and immersions. Following successful completion of this program, a student will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination for credentialing as an athletic trainer.

Biochemistry

The biochemistry major consists of 52-54 credit hours combining biology, chemistry and biochemistry coursework, including two semesters of biochemistry with laboratory and a capstone seminar. Students may not double major in biochemistry and biology or chemistry.

Biology

The biology major allows students maximum preparation and flexibility, with introductory and advanced courses providing a broad discipline foundation. Students work with faculty mentors via internships, study abroad, field work and summer research, and may add a secondary teacher education endorsement for grades 6-12. Graduates enter careers as laboratory technicians, health professionals and science teachers, or continue to medical and graduate schools.

Business Administration

The business administration major consists of 15 courses in business, economics and mathematics and prepares students to pursue managerial and other professional careers as well as graduate education. To gain greater depth in a particular area of business, many students pursue one of the four concentrations offered by the department.

Chemistry

The chemistry major consists of 47-50 credit hours including general, organic, inorganic, physical and instrumental analysis coursework plus a capstone seminar. The program prepares students for graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry and for pre-professional health programs.

Computer Science

The computer science major is based on the guidelines recommended by the Association for Computing Machinery and consists of 46 credits. Students choose one of two tracks, Cybersecurity or Full-Stack Software Development, and are prepared for careers such as programmers, analysts, researchers, network administrators and cybersecurity specialists.

Content Development

The Graduate Certificate in Content Development is a 12-credit, four-course program that bridges the gap between creative production and strategic influence. The curriculum is built with flexibility in mind to accommodate both full-time and part-time students, acknowledging that many of our learners are currently balancing their studies with a professional career.

Criminology

The criminology major consists of 37-38 credit hours covering criminological theory, law and society, juvenile justice, adjudication and corrections, and quantitative research methods, and culminates in a senior practicum. The curriculum invites majors to consider minors in related disciplines and opportunities for study abroad.

Data Science & Analytics

Data Science & Analytics is an interdisciplinary major in which students learn comprehensive knowledge and develop skills required for data scientists, data analysts and analytics-enabled professionals. The major consists of 39-40 credit hours spanning programming, statistics, database systems, data warehousing, data mining and machine learning.

Digital Marketing Analysis and Targeting

The Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing Analytics and Targeting is a 12-credits, four course program focusing on the intersection of human-centered design and data-driven precision. The curriculum is designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time students, with recognition that many students will be working full-time.

Digital Media Arts

The Digital Media Arts major teaches the theories and skills necessary for careers in areas such as digital imaging, animation and web design. It requires a bachelor of arts degree and consists of a minimum of 36 semester hours. Students majoring in Digital Media Arts may not major or minor in Art.

Digital Media Strategy

The MDMS program is a 30-credit hour program allowing full-time enrolled students to complete the program in a single year (9-12 credit hours per term). Part-time students must complete the program within 5 years. The MDMS program is offered online and all courses will be taught synchronously.

Economics

The economics major consists of 14 courses in economics and mathematics. Economics majors may choose among three tracks: business, government policy, and preparation for graduate school via additional mathematics courses, and may also earn an emphasis in financial economics.

Elementary Education (Grades Pre-K-6)

The Elementary Education major prepares candidates to teach prekindergarten through grade 6 through the nationally accredited and state-approved Teacher Education Program. The major is offered in a licensure track, which includes student teaching in elementary education, and a non-licensure track, which substitutes an internship and additional related coursework.

Engineering

The major in Engineering prepares students for a challenging and rewarding career in mechanical engineering, robotics, aerospace, electrical systems and technology, or manufacturing. Students graduate with career-ready skills in 3D modeling, mathematics, computer-aided design and fabrication, electronics and control systems, and mechanical design. The program is designed such that it meets ABET engineering accreditation guidelines.

English

Students majoring in English engage in close study of a wide range of literature, from traditionally valued American and English works to new literature representing many cultures. Students develop skills in writing, speech and research, as well as their analytical and aesthetic judgments as readers.

Environmental Science

The environmental science major is closely tied to studies in biology and takes advantage of rapidly expanding knowledge in ecology, environmental chemistry and instrumentation. It prepares students for the myriad career paths in the field, including water quality technician and conservation scientist roles, as well as graduate study.

Game Design

The Game Design major consists of a minimum of 39 credits and includes nine core courses plus four elective courses. Coursework spans narrative design, visual design, game development studios and a senior capstone experience.

Health and Exercise Science

This major introduces students to the sub-disciplines of health and exercise science, providing students with a sound preparation upon which to develop a career or to pursue graduate study in the discipline. It consists of 43-48 credit hours in areas such as nutrition, kinesiology, physiology of exercise and health management.

Health and Physical Education

For the student pursuing a career in teaching health and/or physical education, this major consists of 52 credit hours. Separate admission to the Teacher Education Program is a requirement for anyone wishing to graduate with a major in health and physical education.

History

The history major is a bachelor of arts degree consisting of 45 credit hours, including core courses in world and United States history, historical methods, professional development and a seminar in the theory and practice of history. Majors pursue career interests including law, secondary and higher education, government service, and museum and archival work.

History and Political Science

This bachelor of arts degree consists of 42 credit hours combining core history courses with core political science courses and distributed study in European, United States and world history. Students accepted into the secondary education program follow a modified course sequence and may pursue licensure in history and social sciences (6-12).

Human Development and Family Science

The Human Development and Family Science major consists of 36 credits covering individuals and families in societal contexts, child and adolescent development, family law and public policy, family resource management and a senior seminar. Students may pursue related concentrations, including Family and Consumer Sciences Secondary Education.

Human Resource Management

The MSHRM program is a 30-credit hour program allowing full-time enrolled students to complete the program in a single year (9 credit hours per term plus a 3 credits capstone experience). Part-time students must complete the program within 5 years. The MSHRM program offers both in-person and synchronous online courses.

International Security & Diplomacy

A bachelor of arts degree consisting of 43 credit hours distributed across core courses, global processes and comparative and regional studies. Students study global politics, comparative politics, international organizations and United States foreign policy, and complete a seminar in international studies and political science.

Music

A bachelor of arts degree consisting of 42-48 credits, in which students complete 35 credits of core courses plus credits from a chosen specialization. Music majors may specialize in Music or Music Education, and students are immersed in ensembles, applied lessons and academic music courses.

Nonprofit Management

The Nonprofit Management Certificate program consists of 12-credits or four courses. These courses provide the student with an opportunity to focus on a desired skillset. The curriculum is designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time students, with recognition that many students will be working full-time.

Nonprofit Management

The MNPM is a 30 credit-hour master's degree that can be completed in 12 months. The program is designed for students to develop a depth of knowledge in the nonprofit management field.

Political Science

The political science major is a bachelor of arts degree consisting of 43 credit hours. Students study American politics, political philosophy, global and comparative politics, take part in study abroad, and participate in internships relevant to the field.

Professional Writing

Students majoring in Professional Writing choose among many courses to develop their talents in exposition and analysis and to do creative work. The major consists of a minimum of 36 credits, including seven core courses and five electives, and concludes with a senior capstone experience.

Psychology

Psychology is the systematic, scientific study of physiological, behavioral and mental processes in humans and animals. The department teaches the significant concepts, theories, research findings and methodological approaches of the field, with direct student involvement in psychological research, internships and practicum settings at area human service agencies.

Psychology-Mental Health Professions

Secondary Education (Grades 6-12) - Mathematics

This Secondary Education - Mathematics major aligns with accrediting bodies including the Virginia Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. It combines mathematics and computer science coursework with the professional education sequence and student teaching. This program overlaps with the Mathematics minor, and students cannot both major in Secondary Education - Mathematics and minor in Mathematics.

Sociology

The sociology major consists of 37-38 credit hours including sociological theory, qualitative and ethnographic research, quantitative research methods and a community action course. The program features a balanced emphasis upon theoretical issues and practical skills, and a flexible senior practicum with a strong reputation in local and regional organizations.

Spanish

A major in Spanish requires the bachelor of arts degree and consists of a minimum of 30-36 credit hours depending on placement, with 30 credit hours in courses numbered 300 or above. A semester in a study abroad program or equivalent, usually in the student's junior year, is strongly recommended.

Strategic Communications

Students majoring in strategic communications are prepared for careers in a diverse group of occupations, such as public relations, advertising, sales, management, journalism and human resources. The major consists of a minimum of 42 credits, including message analysis coursework, communication research and a senior seminar, and also helps prepare students for graduate studies.

Theatre

The theatre major incorporates both theoretical and practical application of theatrical study and practice, drawing from many disciplines as an interdisciplinary field of study. Students learn how to take ideas and realize them through theatrical production and presentation, supported by a vigorous schedule of productions that put theory into practice.