Hollins University

Art History

The art history major offers students a knowledge of works of art in the context of the social, political, and intellectual cultures of which they are a part. Students learn to think, read, and write critically about art and to be astute interpreters of visual imagery. The major culminates in the senior seminar, a senior paper, and a public presentation of each senior's research.

Arts Management

The certificate in arts management gives students the opportunity to connect their major or minor in one of the arts with career interests in various fields of arts management. In addition to course work, students complete two internships in an area of arts management, and the program concludes with a final project.

Biology (B.A.)

Biology is a bachelor's degree program (B.A.) offered at Hollins University.

Biology (B.S.)

Biology is a bachelor's degree program (B.S.) offered at Hollins University.

Business

Business is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

Ceramics

Chemistry (B.A.)

Chemistry is a bachelor's degree program (B.A.) offered at Hollins University.

Chemistry (B.S.)

Chemistry is a bachelor's degree program (B.S.) offered at Hollins University.

Children's Book Illustration

Certificate students take four 500-level ART courses of six credits each, offered sequentially beginning in summer semesters: Illustration Media, Illustration Drawing, Illustration Design, and Illustration Portfolio. A summer semester start date is required to experience the classes in order, and no transfer credit is accepted for the certificate.

Children's Book Writing and Illustrating

Students take four 500-level ART courses of six credits each, a four-credit elective in art or creative writing, six four-credit English (ENG) courses combining writing and critical study of children's literature and illustration, plus eight thesis credits. Illustration courses are offered sequentially beginning in summer semesters. Students who have completed the Certificate in Children's Book Illustration may count those 24 credits toward this M.F.A.

Children's Literature (M.A.)

A low-residency graduate program devoted exclusively to the writing, study, and illustration of children's literature. Students generally undertake eight four-credit courses plus an eight-credit thesis, with at least half the courses being critical literature (ENG) courses that include writing papers. The thesis may consist of an extended critical essay or an original work of poetry, fiction, drama, or creative nonfiction for children or young adults.

Children's Literature (M.F.A.)

A low-residency M.F.A. in which each student generally undertakes ten four-credit courses plus an eight-credit thesis. Students complete a minimum of four creative writing (ENG) courses and four critical literature (ENG) courses. The thesis consists of a book-length original work in poetry, fiction, or drama for children, accompanied by a critical essay.

Classical Studies

The classical studies major may be completed with a concentration in classics or in classical civilization.

Communication Studies

Communication Studies is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

Creative Writing

An intensive, two-year master of fine arts program offering an individualized approach for the college graduate writer who wants to concentrate on his or her craft in a community of writers. Students undertake ten four-credit courses plus a nine-credit thesis consisting of a book-length, original creative manuscript. Two core advanced studies courses are required, as well as four semesters of Graduate Creative Writing Tutorial and two semesters of Advanced Creative Writing Seminar.

Cultural Heritage (GLAM Studies)

The Certificate in Cultural Heritage gives students from any major the opportunity to connect their studies with a potential career in one of these cultural heritage institutional fields: galleries, libraries, archives, and museums. In addition to course work, students complete two internships (or one internship and work-study) and a capstone experience.

Dance

The M.F.A. degree in dance offers students an opportunity to immerse themselves for six weeks during the summer months for on-campus study, alongside fall and spring terms off-site. The program provides a wide range of experiences, opportunities, mentorships, and exposure to other practitioners in the international dance field, offering a flexible yet rigorous course of study.

Dance

The dance major requires at least 46 credits of technique, composition, performance, and dance studies coursework.

Economics

Economics is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

Elementary Education

Students who major in education don't just learn about education, they learn to transform it. Through a dynamic blend of liberal arts study and hands-on classroom experiences, students build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to inspire every learner. The licensure program is approved by the Virginia Department of Education and nationally accredited by CAEP; the elementary education major leads to Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade licensure.

English

English and Creative Writing

The Department of English & Creative Writing provides majors and other interested students an opportunity to enhance their powers of expression through the close reading of texts, the free exchange of ideas in a supportive and demanding environment, and the production of original works of poetry, prose, and literary analysis.

Environmental Science

Environmental Science is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

Film

Film is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

French

French is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

Gender and Women's Studies

Gender and Women's Studies is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

History

History is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

Humanities

Interdisciplinary

The interdisciplinary major allows a student, working with faculty advisors, to design an individualized course of study that draws on more than one department.

Interdisciplinary Studies

International Studies

International Studies is a bachelor's degree program offered at Hollins University.

Leadership

Leadership Studies

Offered through the Batten Leadership Institute, the Certificate in Leadership Studies prepares students to engage in practical and effective leadership through a combination of theory, skill-building, and experiential learning with the aim of engaging in the world in a meaningful way.

Liberal Studies

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers students the freedom to design their own plan of study, emphasizing writing, critical thinking, and creativity. The program requires students to complete nine courses and a culminating essay or creative project that integrates their knowledge gains from all the courses they complete. Courses are offered fall, spring, and summer, fully online, face-to-face, or hybrid.

Master of Arts in Teaching

Mathematics (B.A.)

Mathematics is a bachelor's degree program (B.A.) offered at Hollins University.

Mathematics (B.S.)

The bachelor of science in mathematics may be completed with a concentration in data science.

Music

The Hollins music department allows students a wide range of options for study and performance. The music major provides a thorough preparation in performance, music theory, and music history within the context and breadth of Hollins' liberal arts tradition.

Philosophy

The philosophy major instructs students in the history of philosophy; trains students in logic, critical thinking, and the techniques of philosophical reasoning and writing; and engages students with the essential issues in philosophy and a variety of other vitally important topics. The accomplishments of graduating students are evaluated through a capstone senior seminar.

Physics (B.A.)

Students of physics investigate the laws that underlie reality, engaging the ideas of Newton and Hamilton, Maxwell and Einstein. Classes are intimate: upper-division classes typically have 3-4 students and lower-division courses have 10-15.

Physics (B.S.)

Physics is a bachelor's degree program (B.S.) offered at Hollins University.

Playwriting

The Playwright's Lab at Hollins University is a high-intensity/low-residency MFA program designed to provide working playwrights with the tools and instruction necessary to explore their individual creative voices. Over the two-year program, students complete virtual courses each fall and spring focused on play development and revision, punctuated by three required intensive four-week summer residencies.

Political Science

The political science major emphasizes the relationship between politics in theory and politics in action. The major has four areas of focus: international relations, comparative politics, political theory, and American politics.

Psychology (B.A.)

The core program in psychology emphasizes the learning of representative knowledge in content areas that constitute modern psychology, with particular concentration on the research methods and the scientific roots of psychology. The general B.A. degree prepares students for a variety of career paths and graduate studies.

Psychology (B.S.)

The B.S. degree in psychology prepares students for research-oriented careers and graduate work in the sciences.

Public Health

The study of public health is an interdisciplinary endeavor that teaches students to recognize, assess, and address various issues of health on individual, community, and global levels. The interdisciplinary nature of the major allows students to build an integrated approach to health issues by combining sociocultural disciplines with the natural sciences.

Religious Studies

Screenwriting

The Hollins master's program in screenwriting and filmmaking, initiated in 1999, focuses on screenwriting and the business of filmmaking with a hybrid online/in-person approach. The degree requires completion of ten four-credit courses and an eight-credit thesis project, with fall and spring terms taught entirely online and a required six-week summer term culminating in a two-week Summer Writers' Intensive on the Roanoke campus.

Social Science

Sociology

Students who enroll in sociology courses can expect to acquire a greater knowledge and appreciation of social behavior in human groups, organizations, and societies. Sociology students also develop an understanding of social and cultural diversity, the relationship between the individual and society, and social inequality.

Spanish

Students majoring in Spanish will be able to express themselves proficiently in oral and written Spanish, understand and appreciate the cultures and values of the Spanish-speaking world, and exhibit strong analytical skills. Spanish majors are required to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

Studio Art

The art department offers majors and minors in art history and studio art. Students may combine a major and a minor from within the department.

Teaching

Participants in this program have completed an undergraduate degree and are seeking a teaching license through a master's degree program. The degree requires 40 credit hours of coursework (ten graduate-level courses) plus student teaching or one year of successful teaching in a school division. The Hollins education program is approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Education and nationally accredited with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Teaching and Learning

Begun in summer 2018, this program is designed for practicing teachers who already hold a teaching license and want to become master teachers. The program is flexible and completely online, requiring 40 credit hours of course work (ten graduate-level courses): seven core courses including a graduate thesis or project, plus three program electives.

Theatre

The Hollins theatre department is a vibrant, creative community embodying the core values of curiosity, collaboration, and care, developing artists, thinkers, and leaders with a passion for the performing arts. The major in theatre requires a minimum of 40 credits and allows a maximum of 60 credits.

Theatre and New Play Development

A high-intensity/low-residency program consistent with the collaborative core philosophy of The Playwright's Lab, designed to provide the tools and instruction necessary for each student to discover their individual voice. All students complete a shared foundational core (16 credits), then specialize through elective and experiential learning selections (16 credits of electives), with 8 credits of thesis. The degree requires a final, comprehensive exam.

Visual and Performing Arts