Central College

Accounting (BA)

The accounting curriculum begins with a solid foundation in financial and managerial accounting rooted in the theoretical bases of economics and other liberal arts, including ethics, communication, and data analysis. The program prepares students professionally for careers in public, private, government and not-for-profit accounting.

Accounting (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in accounting is an in-depth professional program focused on applied coursework in accounting and data analysis, designed to meet Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure requirements in the state of Iowa. It requires completion of a total of 150 semester hours of credit.

Actuarial Science

The actuarial science major is specifically designed to prepare students for a career as an actuary. Because an actuary must have both mathematical/technical skills and more general business skills, the major combines components from mathematics and business.

Art

The Art major prepares students for careers related to art, creativity, and visual communication. The program emphasizes critical visual analysis, idea generation, and technical facility while cultivating effective written and oral communication skills.

Biochemistry (BA)

Housed in the Natural Sciences department, a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in biochemistry is offered for students interested in the impact of chemistry on biological systems. It provides excellent preparation for careers including biochemistry, biotechnology, pharmacology, and agricultural chemistry, and is a precursor to pre-professional programs including medicine, dentistry, and optometry.

Biochemistry (BS)

A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biochemistry is offered for students looking to study the interface of chemistry and biology in more depth, with additional upper-level electives. Students earning a B.S. major in biochemistry are automatically eligible to graduate with an ACS-certified degree.

Biology

The biology faculty use the framework of biology to develop the kinds of abilities that will serve students well no matter what paths their lives take: to think critically, analytically and independently; to communicate effectively; to search for an original approach; to solve problems efficiently; to achieve and maintain intellectual curiosity; and to demonstrate an understanding of human impact on the global environment.

Biology (BA)

The biology program offers students a strong foundation in biology without over-specialization, emphasizing an intellectual approach rooted in the college's liberal arts tradition. Students develop abilities to think critically, analytically and independently and to understand human impact on the global environment.

Biology (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in biology offers a strong foundation in biology with additional coursework in chemistry, mathematics and the physical sciences. The program prepares students for a variety of career and graduate school paths.

Business Management

Housed in the Economics, Accounting and Management Department, the business management major offers students the opportunity to gain an understanding of business operations in the context of the liberal arts tradition. It provides a strong foundation in business with an opportunity to develop an emphasis in one of six business areas.

Chemistry (BA)

A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in chemistry prepares students to operate at the interface between the sciences. It opens the door to diverse career options such as basic research, medicine, pharmacology, public health, teaching, industrial lab work, environmental testing laws and forensic science.

Chemistry (BS)

A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry prepares students for an in-depth study of chemistry with significant study of connected areas. The degree meets the requirements for ACS-certification, offering excellent preparation for graduate school or a career in industry or government.

Communication Studies

The Communication Studies program provides students with broad-based exposure to the academic discipline that examines the process of creating messages, meaning, and relationships in a broad array of contexts. It prepares majors for a range of careers through theoretical grounding and applied experience.

Computer Science

Central College offers a broad range of computer science courses where students gain experience working with programming languages such as Python, Java, SQL and PHP. Students majoring in computer science choose either a traditional track or an emphasis in data science.

Economics

The study of economics is part of the traditional liberal arts and offers the student a knowledge of and appreciation for the complexities of the human experience. Majors take courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and research methods, plus additional upper-level courses.

Elementary Education

The philosophical foundation of teacher education at Central College is the liberal arts tradition, grounded in a focus on developmental, authentic learning experiences. Through coursework and embedded field/clinical experiences, graduates are prepared to be effective teachers and may pursue Iowa teaching licensure.

Engineering

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering which broadly prepares them for a career at the interface of mechanical and electrical engineering. Building on the liberal arts ethos, the degree incorporates substantial course work in physics and other sciences with the application of engineering principles, in alignment with ABET outcomes.

English

The English program enriches academic quality through traditional literary studies and innovative teaching and research across disciplines, fostering close reading, critical thinking, and strong writing. Students explore the self, learn about others, and seek social change while developing a diverse and practical skill set.

Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Environmental studies examines the relationship of science, society and nature in a world with a focus on sustainability. This major provides students with a strong grounding in the three legs of sustainability: economics, politics, and the relevant scientific aspects, through an interdisciplinary approach.

History

The history major is structured to provide students with a strong foundation in historical knowledge and interpretation, essential for informed citizenship. It offers certification for students in both American History and World History, as well as American Government.

Information Systems

The information systems major allows students to choose from an emphasis in accounting information systems (AIS), computer information systems (CIS), or management information systems (MIS). Graduates have entered graduate school and immediate employment as IT managers, software developers, and business analysts.

Kinesiology

Majors in Kinesiology learn and apply the science of human movement utilized in educational, fitness/wellness, sport/performance and therapeutic settings. The major is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Council on Accreditation of Exercise Science.

Mathematics

Mathematics, one of the keystones of the liberal arts, combines the study of patterns and abstract structures with the art of problem-solving. Faculty encourage students to gain breadth by taking both theoretical and applied courses.

Music

The Bachelor of Arts in Music is designed to provide students with a broad introduction to music in the context of a comprehensive liberal arts program. It serves as a foundation for further study for students desiring careers as performers, music scholars, music teachers, church musicians or other music professionals.

Musical Theatre

The Central College musical theatre program is committed to the development of students as artist-citizens within the international art form of theatre. The curriculum provides broad exposure to the theatre arts with majors focusing on either a performance or design/tech track.

Music Education

The Bachelor of Arts in Music Education is designed to prepare students for careers as music educators at the elementary and/or secondary level. The department offers two distinct tracks: instrumental music education (55.5 credits) and vocal music education (56.5 credits), both fulfilling coursework requirements for teaching licensure in Iowa.

Natural Science

The natural science major offers the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in several disciplines and is well suited for students who desire a broad background in the natural sciences as preparation for a variety of career options and graduate or professional school. It is particularly appropriate for prospective natural science teachers at the secondary level.

Philosophy

The focus of Central's philosophy program is 'ethics and human flourishing,' getting students to think about how everything they do fits into the bigger picture of a meaningful life. By developing critical reading and reasoning skills, the program prepares students to be thoughtful, adaptable, and productive citizens.

Physics (BA)

A Bachelor of Arts with a major in physics has the flexibility to support preparation for graduate study in fields that go far beyond the physical sciences. It pairs well with majors or minors as far ranging as math, computer science, or data science to English and music.

Physics (BS)

A Bachelor of Science with a major in physics offers both a deeper dive into physics and a branching out into related fields that prepares students for complex work in science and technology industries, research, or academia. The major is especially well-suited for students wanting to pursue doctoral work in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, or engineering specialties.

Political Science

Students in the political science program learn about government and how individuals and groups interact with government in the United States, other countries, and international organizations. Student learning focuses on theory and experience through coursework, supervised independent study, service learning, and internships.

Psychology

The psychology program is designed to inform students about approaches used, discoveries made, explanations offered and questions asked by people in the discipline to promote greater understanding about the nature of being human. Majors are prepared for graduate study and provided with interpersonal and communication skills for a variety of work situations.

Religious Studies

The Religious Studies program fosters the academic study of theology and religion as one of the essential Humanities disciplines in a Liberal Arts college. There are three tracks in the major: Christian Studies, Biblical Studies, and World Religions.

Self-Designed Studies

The self-designed studies interdisciplinary major is intended for mature and motivated students whose academic interests and goals would be best met outside the structure of any single departmental major and/or minor. Coursework is integrated around a basic theme or focus and culminates in a capstone experience.

Social Science

The social science major offers the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in several disciplines, appealing to students who desire a broadly based experience in the social sciences. It is particularly appropriate for prospective social studies teachers at the secondary level.

Sociology

Sociology is the systematic study of the relationship between the individual and society and of the consequences of difference. Sociologists place particular emphasis on studying the impact social location has on opportunity, including factors such as age, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, race, and social class.

Spanish

The Spanish program builds communication skills and insight into important topics of culture, aiming to increase language proficiency and cultural awareness. All Spanish majors are required to participate in an approved study abroad program, and all courses must be conducted in Spanish.

Strength and Conditioning

The Strength and Conditioning Major, accredited through the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE), prepares entry-level strength and conditioning coaches. The program provides classroom and practicum experiences over five semesters of coursework across three years.