Spelman College

Art

Offered through the Department of Art and Visual Culture, the Art major develops knowledge of contemporary visual art practices and historical movements, training students to apply design thinking and technical craftsmanship across digital and traditional media and to produce a professional portfolio grounded in the theory and practice of art as visual language.

Art History

The Art History major develops knowledge of works of art and architecture produced in different cultures and time periods, emphasizing critical reading, writing, and speaking skills for analyzing the visual and physical qualities of images, objects, and buildings.

Biochemistry

A sequence within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry recommended for students planning graduate study in fields related to biochemistry (pharmacology, toxicology, molecular biology) or entry into medical, dental, or allied health programs, developing critical thinking and chemical techniques for careers in the biochemical sciences and health professions.

Biology

Upon completing the Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduates acquire an understanding of biological concepts and an awareness of how these connect with the biological, physical, and social sciences. The major consists of 42 semester hours of biology coursework plus science cognates.

Chemistry

A sequence within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry recommended for students seeking entry into graduate school in chemistry-related fields, developing critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and chemical techniques for careers requiring high technical expertise in the chemical sciences and health professions.

Comparative Women's Studies

A flexible, faculty-monitored interdisciplinary plan of study that exposes students to knowledge about the social construction of gender in various cultural contexts and provides analytical tools for understanding the lives and experiences of women, especially women of African descent. Requires a minimum of 40 hours (10 courses).

Computer and Information Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science prepares students for graduate training in computer science and for careers in industry, business, government, and fields requiring computing skills. It requires 45 to 48 semester hours, including a 36-hour required core plus upper-level electives.

Dance and Performance

Dance at Spelman is a critical and creative thinking laboratory that nurtures women of the African Diaspora, centering the choreographic process through the lens of black feminist theories, contemporary dance techniques, and interdisciplinary collaborative practice. The major consists of 50 semester credits across Technique, Theory, Choreographic Process, and Performance.

Documentary Filmmaking

This Art and Visual Culture major trains students in documentary filmmaking as visual rhetoric, teaching visual storytelling with lens-based media, documentary methodologies, media ethics, and the creation of documentary film portfolios that balance creative expression with research.

Early Childhood Education

The Elementary Education major develops knowledgeable, effective educational leaders committed to the highest standards of education for children in diverse communities, and leads to teacher certification in Early Childhood Education (Grades Pre K-5). The B.A. requires 63 credit hours.

Economics

Grounded in the liberal arts, the Economics major fosters comprehension of economics as a discipline that relies on scientific principles of prediction and forecasting while embodying cultural and normative considerations, preparing students for varied professional and graduate opportunities. A major completes 40 semester hours of economics plus 4 hours of calculus.

Education Studies

A non-certification major for students interested in education who wish to pursue education-related careers that do not require certification. Built on liberal arts coursework with a multicultural, interdisciplinary focus, it includes a capstone research course and a nine-hour internship, preparing students for careers in nonprofits, curriculum development, media, and museums, and for graduate study.

English

English at Spelman embraces an expansive vision of the act, art, and practice of language, providing a foundation in humanistic knowledge for students planning careers in literature, education, law, communications, and business. The major includes two workshops and at least 11 four-credit courses, culminating in an area of Deep Study.

Environmental Science

An interdisciplinary major within the Environmental and Health Sciences Program that enhances scientific inquiry through an environmental science curriculum, preparing students for graduate study and careers in environmental sciences, environmental health, public health, and medical schools. A minimum of 120 course credits is required for graduation.

Environmental Studies

An interdisciplinary major focused on the natural environment and the many ways humans interact with it, designed to provide skills and knowledge from multiple disciplinary perspectives to address environmental challenges and effect positive social change through local, national, and global stewardship that fosters sustainability. The major totals 48 credit hours.

French

A major in French consists of 12 courses and 45 hours emphasizing proficiency in French and Francophone language and cultures, and requires a minimum of two summers or one semester of study in a French-speaking country or a Spelman-approved program.

General Science (Dual Degree Engineering)

The Dual Degree Engineering Program lets students earn both a liberal arts degree from Spelman and an engineering degree from a participating engineering school, typically after three years at Spelman and two at the engineering institution. Students who complete an engineering major and required courses without declaring a Spelman major receive a B.S. in General Science from Spelman.

Health Sciences

An interdisciplinary major that recognizes, evaluates, and analyzes key theories and concepts associated with individual health, wellness, and various pathophysiologic conditions and their global impact, drawing on the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts. It comprises 28 hours of major requirements plus electives and cognate courses.

History

To receive the B.A. in History, students must complete a minimum of eleven courses in history, or 44 credit hours, developing historical knowledge and analytical, research, and writing skills.

Human Services

A program leading to a bachelor of arts degree that combines offerings from several disciplines, including economics, education, political science, psychology, and sociology, preparing students for careers or graduate study in human services fields. Open to Pauline E. Drake (PEDS) students only; students complete a total of 40 hours of required courses and major electives.

International Studies

An interdisciplinary major of 40 credit hours, supported by the International Affairs Center, that prepares students to make significant contributions to the global community and pursue internationally oriented careers.

Mathematics (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts option in mathematics, consisting of at least 13 courses (approximately 43 hours), for students seeking a liberal arts foundation in mathematics.

Mathematics (BS)

The Bachelor of Science option in mathematics, which adds additional advanced coursework beyond the B.A. for approximately 54 hours, for students pursuing deeper mathematical and scientific preparation.

Music

To receive the B.A. in Music, a student must successfully complete 48 credit hours of music courses, gaining performance, theoretical, and historical grounding in music.

Philosophy

A major in philosophy consists of 44 hours (11 courses), developing critical reasoning, ethical analysis, and knowledge of the history and problems of philosophy.

Photography

The Photography major develops mastery of photographic technique, cameras, and digital software, enabling students to produce and critically analyze photographic imagery and to situate their own practice and that of others within a civic and global context.

Physics (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts option in physics provides a liberal arts-oriented foundation in physics for students combining the discipline with broader academic or career interests.

Physics (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in Physics offers a rigorous, science-intensive program with options including Advanced Theory, Chemical Physics, Pre-Health, and Dual Degree Engineering, preparing students for graduate study and careers in the physical sciences and engineering.

Political Science

Students majoring in political science must take at least 44 hours of political science courses, gaining knowledge of political institutions, theory, and processes and preparing for careers, law school, or graduate study.

Psychology (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts option in psychology provides a liberal arts-grounded study of psychological science, totaling 44 hours in the major.

Psychology (BS)

The Bachelor of Science option in psychology emphasizes additional science and research coursework, totaling 44 hours in the major, for students seeking stronger scientific preparation in psychology.

Religious Studies

A major in religious studies consists of 44 hours, offered through the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, examining religious traditions, texts, and their cultural contexts.

Sociology

Part of the B.A. degree program in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the sociology major consists of 44 semester hours and studies social structures, institutions, and behavior.

Sociology and Anthropology

Part of the B.A. degree program in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, this major consists of 44 semester hours combining the study of sociology and anthropology to examine human societies and cultures.

Spanish

A major in Spanish consists of 9 courses and 40 hours emphasizing proficiency in Spanish language and culture, and requires a minimum of two summers or one semester of study in a Spanish-speaking country or a Spelman-approved program.