Academics

Arts and Science Professor

The College of Arts and Science confers a Bachelor of Arts degree and offers a wide variety of academic options— from majors and minors in traditional departments and disciplines to interdisciplinary and individually designed degree programs. Arts and Science students begin with the AXLE curriculum (Achieving Excellence in Liberal Education). Requirements include coursework in writing, humanities and creative arts, international cultures, history and culture of the United States, mathematics and natural sciences, and social and behavioral sciences. Every Arts and Science course counts toward a curricular requirement, so students have a tremendous amount of choice and flexibility in planning their courses of study.

Our First-Year Writing Seminars will introduce you to the expectations of the institution—a high level of scholarship and a participatory style of learning. At the end of the sophomore year, you’ll select a departmental, interdisciplinary, or individually designed major and possibly combine it with another major or minor. As a junior or senior, you might choose to pursue a departmental honors program. Many students also prepare a senior thesis or project, a significant scholarly or creative work. Every discipline addresses issues from multiple perspectives. Your own knowledge base can be enhanced through interdisciplinary study in our College or by taking selected classes in Vanderbilt’s other undergraduate schools—the School of Engineering, Blair School of Music, or Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Qualified students may also take courses in Vanderbilt’s renowned graduate programs, participate in an accelerateddegree program with the school of management.