Southern Virginia University

Art

The art major fosters the student's effort to develop a personal creative style, encouraging exploration of various artistic media and appreciation of the work of artists working in other times and places. Students acquire a foundation in studio art, art history, and design while learning to express themselves formally, skillfully and with creativity.

Biochemistry

The goal of a liberal arts education is to develop and then employ critical thinking to gain a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us. A foundation for understanding ourselves is understanding our physical bodies and how they function. The basis for this understanding is Biochemistry, the integration of Chemistry and Biology.

Biology

The biology major assists students to achieve a broad-based education in the life sciences, which emphasize the various biological principles related to structural, functional, taxonomical and ecological phenomena. It provides a rich understanding of the natural world—knowledge worth having for its own sake and for the perspective it brings to one's life.

Business Management and Leadership

This major involves students in the fundamental principles, theories, and practices that comprise successful leadership and management in the modern business world.

Computer Science

Computer science is the systematic study of computational systems and computability. It includes theories for understanding the analysis, design, implementation, validation, and verification of solutions to complex problems, and for the elicitation, representation, manipulation and visualization of knowledge.

Design

The design major builds proficiency in graphic design or illustration, covering design principles, history, and skill, culminating in a capstone project and a curated portfolio. Students complete a major core plus electives, including at least two courses in industrial design or graphic design.

English

Studying English is tremendously rewarding and has much to offer both the practical and the inquiring student. Students focus on the essential human endeavors of reading, analysis, interpretation, and writing. The English major prepares the student for any career that requires perceptive reading, orderly and clear thinking, and persuasive and graceful oral and written expression.

Environmental Studies

Every aspect of humanity is dependent on the natural environment. The ability to make sound decisions regarding nature's influence on humanity and vice versa is an academic pursuit in many fields of study. The Environmental Studies major provides a strong scientific foundation for academic exploration in current environmental issues to provide applicable and solution-oriented knowledge and skills.

Family and Human Development

The family and human development major prepares students for careers serving families and children. The major also prepares students for graduate programs in the social sciences. Courses emphasize research-based knowledge about marriage, contemporary families and human development.

History

History, the disciplined study of the past, uses rigorous methods and diverse sources to understand the changes that occur over time. Historians seek to address the human need to know who we are and where we came from. In seeking to understand the past, students of history hone their skills as writers, readers, researchers, and critical thinkers.

Liberal Arts

Historically, the liberal arts were considered the branches of study fit for free men. A liberal education befits the members of all classes and genders, cultivating rigorous thought, aesthetic sensibility, appreciation of historical context, and an understanding of the natural world. When suitably completed or supplemented, the liberal arts major is excellent preparation for a career or graduate program in law, business, medicine, education, public service, the arts, and other fields.

Mathematics

The wide applicability and intrinsic beauty of mathematics motivate its study. Mathematical theories often grow out of problems that appear in physical sciences, engineering, and social sciences such as economics and business.

Music

The music major provides an understanding of the elements of music, a historical perspective on music, and the opportunity to develop talents and skills by practice and performance. It prepares one to teach music, perform in community or church events, and evaluate performance quality.

Philosophy

Philosophy wrestles with fundamental questions in all areas of human knowledge and activity. Struggling with and developing reasoned views about such issues enlarge one's capacity for clear thinking, effective writing, and persuasive speaking. Philosophy encourages the intellectual curiosity necessary for a life of sustained inquiry and cultivates a taste for matters of importance over matters of show.

Political Science

The political science major at Southern Virginia University is for students interested in current events, American government, international affairs, public service, or law. The major is structured to provide you with a valuable personalized education by building a foundation in good writing and critical thinking, making connections with related fields like history and economics, and integrating career development into each stage of your college career.

Psychology

Psychology is the science concerned with the human mind and how thoughts, impulses, and habits translate into manifest behavior. The psychology major at Southern Virginia offers students the opportunity to explore the "mystery" within these important areas, and prepares students for a wide variety of careers while helping them develop universally useful skills such as communication, critical thinking, and a proficiency for analyzing data.

Spanish

One of the most prominent languages in the world, the Spanish major at Southern Virginia University explores the language, literature, and culture of the Spanish-speaking world through critical reading and writing in the Spanish language. Small class sizes and an intimate educational setting allow professors to address each individual student's educational needs and interests and for students to develop the skills necessary to communicate effectively across cultures.

Sport Performance

Performing well in a sport requires physical virtues such as strength, speed, and agility, as well as moral virtues such as courage, self-discipline, fair-mindedness, and good judgment. The sport performance program cultivates these virtues in students through their reflective participation in and study of sport.

Theater

The theatre major at Southern Virginia University provides students with experience in creative and technical aspects of theatre, including acting, directing, playwriting, design and technical theatre. The major seeks to awaken and enhance students' creative abilities in performing, writing and design as well as to develop skills needed to evaluate artistic works.