Features

College of Arts and Sciences

Readying students to make their mark on the world.

two college students talking to each other in a library at Saint Joseph's University

By Diane Holliday   |    June 2022

At the core of a Saint Joseph’s education is the College of Arts and Sciences, which every undergraduate student — regardless of major — will experience through the general education program. Rigorous academic training and a curriculum rooted in the liberal arts means that students don’t just become experts in a field — they also gain the breadth and depth of knowledge to adapt and lead by example in an ever-changing world.

“We train students with a broad education that prepares them for a whole host of careers; the data shows people change their careers multiple times,” says Dean James Carter, PhD. “But then we also prepare them with a specific set of skills that will enable them to go into the career they’ve chosen.”

Opportunities abound in the natural sciences: genomics and cancer biology; in the social sciences: economics and political science; and in the humanities: English and music — to name only a handful. There are also cross-college collaborations in the works to address nationwide teacher shortages and to prepare students in numerous programs to run their own businesses.

And with ample research experiences, internships and co-ops, and service learning opportunities, students leave with the experience necessary to excel in whatever field they choose.

Key Programs

a neuroscientist looking at scans of the brain inside a lab
Closeup of police officer questioning a suspect at a table
a man checking the soil inside a greenhouse
a woman looking at a pint of beer she brewed inside a brewing lab
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Neuroscience (BS)

Majors study the structure and function of the nervous system across theoretical and clinical contexts within three tracks — molecular and medicinal, clinical health and theoretical neuroscience.

Complementary Programs: Psychology, Biology, Computer Science

Criminal Justice (BS, MS)

With established industry connections, this program helps students understand the complex causes of crime and equips them with practical skills necessary to forge careers dedicated to helping others.

COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS: Political Science, Economics, Cyber Intelligence

Environmental Science (BS)

Students develop skills in data collection and reduction, experimental design, scientific presentations and more to tackle our planet’s greatest environmental perils.

COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS: Biology, Health Sciences, Business Administration

Brewing Science Certificate

Bringing together programs in fermentation and brewing sciences, this certificate equips graduates with the science and math skills needed for success in the competitive microbrewing arena.

COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS: Food Marketing; Business Administration; Leadership, Ethics and Organizational Sustainability

Public Policy (BA)

Students not only learn how to address issues affecting the public through laws and regulations, but also gain an understanding of the entities that impact the policymaking process.

COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS: Sociology, Economics, Business Intelligence and Analytics

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saint joseph's university students talking to each other in a classroom

Fast Facts

  • Top employers of College of Arts and Sciences graduates include Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Chubb, Disney, Independence Blue Cross and Vanguard.
     
  • Academic programming aligned with U.S. News & World Report’s 100 Best Jobs of 2022, including information security analyst (No. 1), software developer (No. 5), data scientist (No. 6), lawyer (No. 9) and actuary (No. 20).
     
  • Home to the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations, which seeks to increase knowledge and deepen understanding between the Jewish and Catholic communities; the Institute for Environmental Stewardship, which promotes socially, economically and ethically responsible environmental stewardship on campus and in the community; and the Institute of Clinical Bioethics, which develops and promotes interdisciplinary research projects, educational programs, academic courses, clinical consultation and policy development services in the field of bioethics.
     
  • Featuring community-based partnerships such as GeoKids LINKS, an initiative to engage elementary school students in hands-on science learning, and Global Smarts, a program in which undergraduates mentor elementary and middle school students to compete in the Junior Model UN Conference.
James Carter, PhD, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Saint Joseph's University
Dean Spotlight

James Carter, PhD

James Carter, PhD, a historian, author and celebrated scholar on China’s modern history, has served in numerous leadership roles since joining the University in 1999: director of the Nealis Program in Asian Studies, chair of the history department and director of the international relations program.

As a member of the faculty, he’s been recognized for his excellence in teaching, research and service, including the prestigious Tengelmann Award for Distinguished Teaching and Research. Teaching with purpose, he says, is what sets the college apart.

“It comes back to the mission,” says Carter, speaking to the University’s charge to prepare students for engaged citizenship and professional success. “Our new programs, faculty and students are going to strengthen who we are. We already do a great job teaching, but now we’re going to have more resources, more faculty, more programs, more facilities.”