Stephens College

Acting

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting is an accelerated, intensive three-year, two-summer program that offers East and West Coast acting training, while celebrating the essence of each individual actor. Students receive intensive Stanislavski-based acting training for both stage and on-camera work, with emphasis on audition technique and the "business of the business.".

Animal Behavior

An Animal Behavior degree prepares students for careers in a wide variety of professional settings, including training and shelter facilities, veterinary clinics, equine facilities, welfare organizations, research institutions, zoos, museums, and wildlife and conservation organizations. Students in the program synthesize insights from biology, psychology, animal science, and other disciplines into a comprehensive scientific understanding of animal behavior.

Apparel Studies

This Bachelor of Arts degree offers a set of courses providing a foundation in the study of apparel as related to the fashion industry. Degree flexibility with elective or choice classes allows for more focused study in fashion, design arts or another minor for students wanting to experience a more adaptable, less intensive fashion-related degree.

Arts

The Associate in Arts degree requires completion of a two-year academic program based primarily in general education. A minimum of 60 semester hours of college-level credit and a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.0 (C) are required.

Biology (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology involves comprehensive, rigorous study of life processes that underlie our biological world. The major is designed to develop quantitative skills, critical thinking and engagement in the scientific method through the integrated study of math, chemistry, physics and sub-disciplines of biology. The Bachelor of Arts in Biology requires completion of general education requirements and a minimum of 49 semester hours in the major.

Biology (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in Biology requires completion of general education requirements and of required courses, plus electives (BIO, CHM, SCI, PHY). The Biology major provides ideal preparation for students interested in pursuing graduate work in the biomedical sciences, pre-health programs or veterinary medicine, as well as direct entry into careers as laboratory technicians, field biologists and technical writers.

Business Administration

The focus of the Business Administration major at Stephens College is on Conscious Capitalism, which is a way of teaching business principles that pursue a profit but remain aware of the effects of business decisions on all stakeholders. The core coursework provides students with a strong academic foundation in core business functions including business administration, marketing, management, accounting, economics, finance, and business research.

Communication Design

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design offers students intensive preparation for a professional career in visual, graphic and digital communication. Students are grounded in communication, media, design, and marketing courses and gain real-world experience through class projects, internships, exhibitions, design competitions, workshops, and freelance assignments.

Content Creation

The focus of the Content Creation major at Stephens College is to prepare students to develop valuable and engaging content for organizations, companies, and/or individuals that generates brand awareness, attracts new customers, and retains existing customers. A Content Creation degree will enable students to produce digital materials like blogs, e-books, social media posts, videos, and podcasts that a brand uses to communicate to its audience.

Counseling

Listed in the School of Health Sciences section as one of the School's graduate programs. This 2025-2026 catalog covers undergraduate programs only; full requirements are published in the separate Stephens College graduate catalog.

Creative Writing

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing requires completion of the general education requirements and 67-69 hours in ENG, including foundational writing and literature courses, applied writing workshops, genre literature courses and a capstone project. Students write original critical and creative work in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and playwriting.

Education

The Bachelor of Science in Education is a teacher preparation program offering initial Missouri certification in areas including early childhood, elementary, middle school, and secondary content fields. The major requires a general education subject matter concentration, admission to and completion of the program, and passing scores on the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES).

English

The Bachelor of Arts in English requires completion of the general education requirements and 46-48 hours in ENG, including foundational writing and literature courses, applied writing workshops, early and later literatures, genre literatures, and a capstone project. The English/Creative Writing program engages students in a thriving literary community that foregrounds the complexity and subtlety of texts and highlights women's writing.

Equestrian Studies

The Stephens College equestrian studies major provides coursework designed to prepare students for careers in equine business, equine health and/or teaching and training. The major develops skills in equine business entrepreneurship and management, includes instruction for the multi-disciplined rider, and prepares students for careers in training and riding instruction.

Fashion Communication

The Fashion Communication program is a unique opportunity for students wishing to prepare for a career within the fashion fields of journalism, trend forecasting, media, public relations, promotion, or special events. Students master the skills necessary for professional success through the study of a unique set of foundation courses in fashion, business and communication design.

Fashion Design and Product Development

The Fashion Design and Product Development program provides the technical and creative skills necessary for success in fashion design. Digital technologies are incorporated into several design courses, and students are required to complete two internships, encouraged to participate in a study abroad program, and enter national and international sponsored design competitions.

Fashion Marketing and Management

The Fashion Marketing and Management program provides a unique opportunity for students to succeed in fashion careers in retail, marketing and merchandising. Supported by courses in fashion, business and strategic communication, the program allows students to master the skills necessary for professional success by applying learned expertise to instances of critical decision-making and hands-on, real industry projects in classroom and internship experiences.

Filmmaking

The Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Filmmaking offers intensive training in all aspects of filmmaking to prepare students for the rapidly growing employment opportunities in the filmmaking industry. The elements of the major combine hands-on production courses with courses on film theory and current trends in the film industry, and students gain further real-world experience through the Stephens Film Institute courses.

Health Information Administration

The HIA program is a 100% online undergraduate degree program and is co-ed. HIA core coursework covers medical terminology, health information systems, organizational management and human resources in healthcare, legal and ethical issues, integrated quality management, and principles of healthcare finance.

Health Science

The Health Science major educates students in foundational sciences, human function, health research and service, and health policy. The Bachelor of Science in Health Science includes coursework in the physical, biological, behavioral, and social domains of health, and covers competencies in each of the seven areas of responsibility for health education specialists.

Human Development

The Human Development major at Stephens College provides coursework which leads to a deep understanding of how children and adults develop physical and mental traits and behaviors. The major provides preparation for students wishing to pursue graduate work in education, psychology or counseling.

Integrative Human Biology

The Integrative Human Biology major provides an interdisciplinary understanding of human health and disease from biological, psychological, societal and developmental perspectives. This broad-based, interdisciplinary major is designed to provide a framework for students preparing to enter careers in human medicine or research, and offers flexible pre-health preparation for graduate and professional programs.

Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies

This is a non-audition based major designed to provide students with focused training in Acting, Directing, Technical Theatre, Stage Management, and Costume Design. Students will be immersed in a diverse and well-rounded curriculum, giving them foundational skills to pursue a multitude of avenues upon graduation.

Musical Theatre

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre is an accelerated, intensive three-year, two-summer program that offers East and West Coast acting training while celebrating the essence of each individual actor. Students receive intensive training in voice, acting, dance, audition technique and the "business of the business.".

Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a three-year (eight semester) program that prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This is a direct entry program primarily designed for entry by high school seniors, preparing students through classroom, clinical, laboratory, and simulated instruction to care for patients in hospital and community settings.

Physician Assistant Studies

Listed in the School of Health Sciences section as one of the School's graduate programs. This 2025-2026 catalog covers undergraduate programs only; full requirements are published in the separate graduate catalog and the Physician Assistant Student Handbook.

Psychology

The required courses in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology draw from each of the major areas of the field, and electives allow students to specialize in their areas of interest. A senior research capstone project ensures that students gain the research experience and skills they need to compete for graduate school admission or in the professional market. The degree requires at least 48 semester hours of psychology courses.

Technical Theatre and Stage Management

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre and Stage Management is an accelerated and intensive three-year, two-summer program that challenges students in a hands-on experiential model. Course work and practical assignments in all technical and design areas give the student an outstanding skill base to move them easily into the professional world and/or graduate school.

Theatrical Costume Design

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Costume Design is an accelerated and intensive three-year, two-summer program that, along with extensive course work in costume design, creates a highly valuable and experiential learning environment. Course work and practical assignments alongside students, faculty and guest artists make for truly professional theatre training.