Pfeiffer University

Accounting

Pfeiffer University's Accounting Major is a dynamic and progressive accounting program designed to provide students with the core knowledge and skills needed to effectively transition into the 21st century workplace. Students develop skill sets required to work within any of the arenas of accounting, whether public accounting, corporate accounting, or law enforcement. The core required classes meet the North Carolina requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary field that lies at the intersection of cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. Biochemistry majors learn about structures and reactions of biomolecules, enzymes and biological catalysis, and elucidation of metabolic pathways and their control. Graduates are prepared for graduate school, allied health professions, industrial employment, professional schools, and high school teaching.

Biology

The curriculum in Biology includes courses for students planning a major in the field as well as for those who pursue other majors. The major in Biology prepares a student for graduate school or for employment as a technician or salesperson with a corporation in a biologically related field. The Biology major may also be pursued by pre-professional students interested in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, or various health care technologies.

Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an applied practitioner-oriented professional program grounded in three key elements: applied theory and practice, ethical reasoning, and global awareness. Graduate students progress through an applied curriculum, engaging in real-time business decisions, consulting with organizations, and creating a holistic understanding of contemporary business. The program is approved by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP).

Business Administration / Organizational Change and Resource Management

The joint Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Organizational Change and Resource Management degree infuses key elements from business and leadership to provide a holistic understanding and managerial performance capacity across professional contexts. Completion of this joint degree yields one master's degree in two expertise areas.

Business Management and Leadership

Pfeiffer University's Business Management and Leadership Program is approved by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs.

Business Management and Leadership/MBA 3-2 Program

Pfeiffer University offers the opportunity for highly motivated students to complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership (BMAL) degree and an MBA within 5 years. The program requires 150 semester hours minimum: 120 undergraduate semester hours and 30 graduate semester hours. Students must complete all B.S. graduation requirements by the end of their first semester as a senior.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed for students who have a bachelor's degree and are interested in working with individuals in a mental health counseling capacity. The full-time, 63 SH program admits cohorts each Fall and takes place over seven semesters (approximately 27 months), offered online with both synchronous and asynchronous courses. The program consists of academic coursework and supervised fieldwork.

Comprehensive Science Education

The Comprehensive Science Education Major is designed for teacher candidates planning to teach science in high school. It combines studies in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics. Teacher candidates completing this major and the Education minor are eligible for licensure in Comprehensive Science (9-12) with a B.S. degree.

Computer Information Systems

The Computer Information Systems (CIS) program prepares students for careers as information systems professionals, focusing on the development and management of information systems in a business environment. Students develop the technical skills and organizational insights required to analyze, design, implement and administer information systems that support business operations.

Decision Analytics

A 15 semester hour graduate certificate covering health information systems, data, electronic health records and artificial intelligence, and project management of healthcare information technology. The program culminates in a Healthcare Informatics Capstone in which students integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their coursework.

Educational Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies is a non-licensure education program consisting of 30 semester hours of professional core studies and 15 semester hours of elective coursework in the major. Elective coursework is selected in EDUC, SPED, HPED, or other appropriate fields with advisor approval.

Elementary Education

The purpose of the Elementary Education Program (K-6) is to provide appropriate learning experiences to meet the needs, capabilities, and interests of children in kindergarten through grade six. The program is designed to assist teacher candidates in acquiring knowledge, developing skills, and forming attitudes within a learning environment focused on active involvement and relevant learning activities. The program leads to North Carolina teacher licensure.

English

The English major aims to interrogate and analyze the human experience from perspectives such as gender, sexuality, and race through the study of canonical and non-canonical literary texts. Students become familiar with the development of and distinctions between genres, and all English majors are encouraged to select an on-campus or off-campus internship. A Creative Writing concentration and an English Education licensure option are available.

Environment Studies

The Environmental Studies Bachelor of Science degree program provides students with a core curriculum that enables students to learn about the global environment, ecological interactions, and the role humans play in these interactions. Students select one of four areas in which to concentrate - the Natural World, Human Aspects, Business, or Education.

Health Administration

The Master of Health Administration is designed for clinicians and healthcare managers whose career tracks require advanced competence in health services management. Although intended primarily for those working in or with experience in health services, it is appropriate for students making a transition to the field. The curriculum is sequentially designed and includes a comprehensive competency exam.

Health Administration / Business Administration

A joint degree combining a 30 semester hour core health administration curriculum with a 24 semester hour core business curriculum. Upon completion of all joint degree requirements, one degree/diploma is issued identifying the two discipline areas included in the degree; students must apply to and be accepted by both Health Administration and Business.

Health Administration / Organizational Change and Resource Management

A joint degree combining a 30 semester hour core health administration curriculum with a 24 semester hour organizational change and resource management curriculum. The MHA/MSOC joint degree program is a sequentially designed curriculum; students must closely follow the order of courses as listed under the joint degree curriculum requirements.

Health and Exercise Science

The Bachelor of Science in Health & Exercise Science is designed to educate and train future health and exercise professionals, emphasizing experiential, translational, and collaborative learning. Upon declaration of major, students select at least one area of concentration: Clinical Exercise Science (CES), Exercise & Sport Science (ESS), or Occupational Therapy Foundations (OTF). Study focuses on practical experiences, research activities, internships, apprenticeships, and service.

Health and Physical Education

The Health and Physical Education major, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in North Carolina, is designed to prepare teacher candidates to conduct quality health and physical education programs in K-12 school settings. In addition to coursework, majors participate in a number of practicum and field experiences culminating in a full semester of student teaching during the senior year. Both a teacher licensure curriculum and a non-licensure track (HPEDN) are offered.

History

The History curriculum provides a broad spectrum of courses covering all periods of history in all areas of the world. There are few specifically required courses in the History major and students have the opportunity to design majors that best meet their own career goals or personal interests. Graduates may continue their studies in graduate or law school or pursue careers in teaching, government, Foreign Service, journalism, archival work, or business.

Human Resources Studies

The Master of Science in Human Resources Studies is for individuals who desire advanced knowledge and skills related to human resources and associated business processes to advance those skills and elevate their standing within their fields. Graduates demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and ethically with a strong knowledge of HR and employment law, and apply resource management through a site-based field project.

Interdisciplinary Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies offers students the opportunity to design their own unique Pfeiffer experience that will prepare them to engage the world with their own distinct gifts and interests. Grounded in disciplines associated with the Humanities, the major empowers students to develop skills that integrate ideas and solutions for personal success while leading future communities to address challenging problems.

Justice and Professional Studies

The curriculum in Justice and Professional Studies offers a series of courses that examine the individual components and interrelationships of law enforcement, corrections, and the courts. The core requirements emphasize a holistic approach to criminal justice while providing an in-depth study of theory and application. An internship program and the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) academy option are available to students.

Music

Admission to this program is suspended for 2025-26. Music majors can expect to be involved in private lessons, ensembles, theatrical productions, concerts, performance tours, program planning, public relations, interdisciplinary projects, and community outreach and service. The program is open to students with all levels of musical background, and students must audition before the music faculty.

Nursing

The Department of Nursing offers an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree. The Pre-Licensure BSN program is fully approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN examination and are prepared to provide care in and across all environments as a generalist nurse; an LPN-BSN bridge option is also available.

Nursing (Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN-BSN)

An online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (RN-BSN) requires a total of 120 semester hours, composed of 11 SH of co-requisites and a major that is 52 SH. The 52 hours are comprised of 26 semester hours of core courses and an additional 26 semester hours of credit awarded for experience in nursing. Admission requires completion of an associate degree or hospital diploma in nursing and current unrestricted RN licensure.

Occupational Therapy

The MSOT program is designed for students who have a bachelor's degree in a field other than occupational therapy. The full-time, 74-credit, 2-year program is delivered in 24 months (6 semesters) beginning in August of each year and consists of academic coursework and supervised fieldwork experiences (24 weeks of level II fieldwork). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Organizational Change and Resource Management

The Master of Science in Organizational Change and Resource Management is for individuals who desire advanced knowledge and skills related to facilitating change and managing across disciplines (human resources, product distribution, marketing, crisis, etc.) to advance those skills and elevate their standing within their fields. Students apply resource management to organizational change through a site-based field project.

Outdoor Education and Leadership

The Outdoor Education and Leadership program prepares students to succeed in the growth industry of the outdoors. The interdisciplinary program includes courses from education, communication, counseling and human services, psychology, business and environmental studies. Students have access to the 340-acre Pfeiffer campus, Morrow Mountain State Park, Uwharrie National Forest, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center for field experiences.

Physician Assistant Studies

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) program is a 27-month continuous residential program beginning with a 15-month didactic phase which includes robust instruction in clinical and behavioral sciences, followed by a 12-month clinical phase where students engage in over 1,900 hours of supervised clinical practice experiences. Students must demonstrate achievement of five program competencies across both the didactic and clinical phases.

Psychology

The Psychology curriculum offers a broad range of courses in the field of psychology, including life-span developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, counseling, cognitive processes, sensation and perception, and psychology and law. Students also have the opportunity to design and carry out their own research. The undergraduate curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for graduate work.

Religion and Practical Theology

The program in Religion and Practical Theology offers a transformative learning experience by equipping students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and insight to work in various occupations and diverse communities in a global context. It also provides a rigorous academic background for further study. Students critically assess the intersections of religion in society, theologically reflect on the practice of ministry, and interpret scripture, history, and social contexts.

Sacred Music

Admission to this program is suspended for 2025-26. The B.A. in Sacred Music is a professional degree for students with a vocational interest in music. While this major focuses on equipping students to work as musicians in churches, many majors choose to continue to graduate school or pursue careers as performers, composers, music administrators, or private school teachers.

Special Education: General Curriculum

The intent of the Special Education Program at Pfeiffer University is to prepare teacher candidates to meet the educational and social needs of students with mild to moderate exceptionalities in grades kindergarten through twelve. The program prepares teacher candidates to provide research-verified instruction and behavior supports to maintain at grade level students with mild to moderate disabilities enrolled in the North Carolina Standard Curriculum.

Sport Management

Pfeiffer University's Sport Management Program is approved by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs. The curriculum combines sports-related studies with courses in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Economics, and Accounting, emphasizing the administrative, managerial, and communications skills required for success in today's multifaceted sports industry. All seniors complete an internship with a sponsoring organization.

Strategic Communication and Social Media

A Strategic Communication and Social Media major equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop and implement communication strategies that effectively engage audiences, build relationships, create effective content, and achieve professional and entrepreneurial objectives. The curriculum includes 21 semester hours of core courses and 18 semester hours of electives.

Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education (MAT) is a 32-semester-hour degree program designed to prepare individuals interested in entering the teaching field with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to seek professional licensure. The program includes two phases (Initial Level Licensure Phase and Advanced Level Licensure Phase) and leads to recommendations for North Carolina educator licensure.