William Jewell College

Accounting

Graduates obtaining the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in accounting will demonstrate technical accounting competencies of the profession, knowledge of the broad business environment in which accounting professionals work, and professional competencies related to the skills, attitudes, and behaviors of accounting professionals. Students seeking a BS degree with a major in accounting must achieve a grade of C- or better in each course required for the major.

Biochemistry

Graduates with a major in biochemistry will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of biochemistry in the areas of organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, cellular metabolism, biological macromolecule structure/function, and genetic principles. A grade of C- or higher is required in each course in the major. Because of extensive overlap between the programs, students are not permitted to double major in chemistry and biochemistry.

Biology

Upon completion of a biology major, a student will have been exposed to a broad background in biology while having had the opportunity to explore specific areas of interest through a senior thesis project. A degree in biology allows a student to pursue careers in education, research, medicine, biotechnology, conservation, and industry either through immediate entry into the career or after further study at the graduate level.

Business

Graduates obtaining the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Business will be proficient in critical thinking, reflective exploration of meaning, and practical application. In addition to the business core, each business major must choose one area of emphasis from economics, finance, management, marketing, or sports management. The major is also available through an online business degree completion program.

Chemistry

Graduates with a major in chemistry will have demonstrated an understanding of concepts of chemistry in the areas of organic, analytical, and physical chemistry, competency in the production, recording, and reporting of laboratory data, and the ability to design, conduct, and evaluate meaningful chemical research. A grade of C- or higher is required in each course in the major.

Choral Conducting

A postbaccalaureate certificate program in which graduates demonstrate exceptional skills in conducting, including clear gesture, aural skills, clarity of score study, and organizational skills demonstrated in recital conducting opportunities. Coursework is normally completed over a two-semester period with eight hours of credit earned in each semester. This program will not be accepting applications for entry during the 2025-26 year.

Civil Engineering

The four major areas of study within the civil engineering program are structural, environmental, geotechnical, and hydraulics/fluids, with sustainability and environmental issues as overarching themes. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of engineering.

Communication

Communication majors are interested in the creation and reception of messages in a variety of contexts, often seeking careers in law, advertising, public relations, politics, media or business. Majors prepare, organize, and deliver well-written verbal and non-verbal messages crafted for a particular audience and context and demonstrate an understanding of communication theories and practices.

Computer Science

Students learn to write clear, well-commented code, scope and implement functional programs, work in front-end and back-end development, and apply ethical theories and codes of ethics to issues of technology and computer science. A majority of the CSC courses in the major may be taught online through a partnership with RIZE Education.

Curriculum and Instruction

Teachers who are admitted for graduate study in the M.S.Ed. program but who do not wish to earn the master's degree will earn the William Jewell Graduate Certificate in Education upon successful completion of 15 credit hours of study in the M.S.Ed. curriculum. No transfer courses will be counted toward the Graduate Certificate, and a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 is required.

Curriculum and Instruction

The M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to help teachers improve their ability to differentiate instruction and promote learning of the stated curriculum by every student. Coursework is designed to be completed over a 26-month period and is offered face-to-face or in a hybrid format. No state-sponsored teacher certification is associated with the awarding of the degree.

Cybersecurity

Jewell cybersecurity graduates demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills for a wide range of cybersecurity challenges, the ability to analyze and investigate cyber-attacks and their aftermath, and the ability to provide security governance, risk management, and audits for a variety of organizations. A majority of the CYB courses in the major may be taught online through a partnership with RIZE Education.

Data Science

Graduates construct data files using advanced statistical and data programming techniques, create and interpret predictive models using statistical, data mining, and programming techniques, and translate analytic results into clear, actionable insights. Courses required for the data science major will not normally be counted unless they are less than 10 years old.

Digital Media Communication

Students majoring in digital media communication are interested in how digital media tools and design principles co-exist to support creative messaging and content, often seeking careers in advertising, digital media, graphic design, political communication, and public relations. Students are permitted, but not required, to select an area of emphasis in web design or digital marketing.

Elementary (1-6) Education

Elementary teacher education requires completion of the elementary education major plus content area instruction applicable to the elementary school curriculum and consistent with Missouri DESE certification requirements. Successful completion leads to Missouri teacher certification in that field/grade level and a bachelor's degree.

Engineering Physics

The program in physics offers a major in engineering physics leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Students demonstrate physics understanding by solving conceptual and analytical problems in mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, relativity, quantum mechanics, and atomic, molecular, and nuclear physics, and apply physics knowledge and engineering principles in new contexts.

Entrepreneurial Business Administration

The program enables students to launch meaningful businesses through acquisition of knowledge, mentorship, and ethical framing. Each student develops an entrepreneurial plan in conjunction with a mentor who serves as an academic support partner. Courses are fully online, and coursework is normally completed over an 18-month period.

Exercise Science

The Exercise Science major is designed to prepare students for careers in fitness, health, rehabilitation, and sports performance, including personal training, sports coaching, physical therapy, wellness coaching, fitness programming, and rehabilitation. Students may also be well-positioned to pursue certifications from organizations such as the NSCA or ACSM.

History

In conjunction with other programs in the Division of Culture, Society, and Justice, the program in history offers a major that leads to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Students engage in historical analysis, conduct extensive research in primary sources, and author well-organized, persuasive essays with thorough and appropriately formatted citations.

Information Technology

Students display critical thinking and problem-solving skills in relation to a wide range of Information Technology challenges, understand and meaningfully interact with the technological systems of an organization, and communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. A majority of the ITS and CSC courses in the major may be taught online through a partnership with RIZE Education.

Literature and Culture

In conjunction with other programs in the Division of Culture, Society, and Justice, the program in literature and culture offers a single major, which leads to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. A grade of C- or higher is required in all courses fulfilling requirements in the major.

Music (BA)

The College offers three music degree programs; the program in music leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree requires a minimum of MUS hours. Under any BA program, a maximum of 40 hours in one discipline is allowed to count toward graduation, and all BA music majors must complete a minimum of 84 non-MUS hours.

Music (BS)

Within the BS program in music, a maximum of 60 hours in one discipline is allowed to count toward graduation, and all BS music majors must complete a minimum of 64 non-MUS hours. Students may petition the faculty to allow them to pursue an emphasis in music performance; an area of emphasis is not required.

Music Education

Students may major in music education without seeking teacher certification or taking any courses in education. Students seeking certification to teach music in grades K-12 in the State of Missouri complete majors in both secondary education and music education.

Nursing

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing requires coursework in liberal arts, leadership, and professional nursing. A student may enter the program as a qualified high school graduate in either a 4-year or 3-year track, as a transfer student, or as a second-degree student in an accelerated track (AT) program. Nursing is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Political Science and Philosophy

In conjunction with other programs in the Division of Culture, Society, and Justice, the program in political science and philosophy (PSP) offers a single major, which leads to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Students describe, analyze, and evaluate contending views in politics and philosophy about human nature, democratic and authoritarian political systems, political institutions and cultures, and the dynamics of war and peace.

Psychology

The program offers one major, which leads to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Introductory courses lay the groundwork for an understanding and overview of psychology's major areas, and the curriculum balances theoretical and practical dimensions through independent studies, internships, and a Capstone in Psychological Science.

Secondary (9-12 or K-12) Education

Students seeking 9-12 certification must complete a major in secondary education plus courses in the content field; students will not be considered to have earned a major in secondary education without also successfully completing the required content coursework in a certification area. Approved fields include biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, music, physics, social science, and Spanish.

Teaching

The M.A.T. is an alternative teacher certification program approved by the State of Missouri, leading to teacher certification in grades 9-12 or K-12 for candidates with a baccalaureate degree. Coursework is normally completed over a 12-month or 24-month period, with at least 24 hours earned at William Jewell.

Transformative Teaching and Learning

A second M.S.Ed. program offered alongside Curriculum and Instruction, drawing on graduate education coursework in social-emotional learning, mindfulness and yoga, trauma-informed teaching, and restorative practices. Credit from the shared research courses (EDU 601, 602, 603) cannot be applied to both M.S.Ed. programs.

Voice

A postbaccalaureate certificate program in which graduates exhibit technical and artistic expertise in the performance of vocal literature appropriate for their age and voice type, preparing them for entry into the performing arts community. Coursework is normally completed over a two-year period with six hours of credit earned in each of four semesters. This program will not be accepting applications for entry during the 2025-26 year.