Programs of Study & Departments

Art

Studying art at Emmanuel College is a rich and rewarding experience—one that offers a new lens from which to observe the world around you.

Emmanuel's art faculty are working artists, designers and art historians who are exhibiting, publishing and designing locally, nationally and internationally. They are dedicated to developing every student’s potential to creatively communicate, influence and interact in society in a compelling and responsible way. Boston is also a city rich in inspiration and education. As studio artists, photographers or graphic designers, students can soak up the flavors of a city rich in culture. Every texture, color, billboard, street sign, graffiti or museum presents an opportunity to be inspired.

Areas of Study

• Art Education
• Art History
• Art Therapy
• Ceramics
• Graphic Design
• Photography
• Studio Art

Biology

Focus on science. Learn about how life works. The cause and cure of a disease. Your future is biology, and your laboratory is Emmanuel College.

Emmanuel students don't just learn about biology. They practice it. They collaborate with faculty on real-life research and get a true sense of what it means to be scientists. They are offered unmatched opportunities to engage and interact through our Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center, partnership with Merck Research Laboratories-Boston and location among the hospitals, research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area.

Areas of Study

• Biology
• Biology: Biochemistry
• Biology: Health Sciences
• Biology: Neuroscience
• Biology: Physiology
• Biostatistics
• Biotechnology

Business

Conceptual. Analytical. Practical. Ethical. Today’s multidisciplinary study of business and related fields prepares the leaders of tomorrow.

The Department of Business and Economics translates Emmanuel’s commitment to ethics and social justice into its curriculum, sharing values around rigor, relevance, collaboration and integrity. Our students know that all organizations can do well and do good and graduate confident in the skills necessary to manage responsibly in a complex society. Our liberal arts foundation teaches students to think critically and communicate well. In their departmental courses, students develop competencies in quantitative analysis, ethics and responsibility, leadership and teamwork, international issues and technology.

Areas of Study

• Accounting
• Computer Science
• Data Analytics
• Finance
• Human Resources Management
• Management
• Management: Health Care Management
• Management: Marketing
• Management: Sport Management
• Marketing

Chemistry & Physics

Chemistry is everywhere. From the simplest elements of life to the many aspects of high-tech society, our world can be understood through chemistry.

At Emmanuel, we believe that practicing chemistry in the lab or in daily life opens the mind to critical thinking and problem solving. Our students collaborate with faculty on real-world research and get a true sense of what it means to study chemistry at the graduate and professional level. They are offered unmatched opportunities to engage and interact through our state-of-the-art Maureen Murphy Wilkens Science Center, which is equipped with the modern instrumentation and computer technology used intensively in laboratory courses and student-directed research.

Areas of Study

• Chemistry
• Chemistry: Biochemistry
• Chemistry: Forensic Science

Economics

Conceptual. Analytical. Practical. Ethical. Today’s multidisciplinary study of business and related fields prepares the leaders of tomorrow.

The Department of Business and Economics translates Emmanuel’s commitment to ethics and social justice into its curriculum, sharing values around rigor, relevance, collaboration and integrity. Our students know that all organizations can do well and do good and graduate confident in the skills necessary to manage responsibly in a complex society. Our liberal arts foundation teaches students to think critically and communicate well. In their departmental courses, students develop competencies in quantitative analysis, ethics and responsibility, leadership and teamwork, international issues and technology.

Areas of Study

• Economics
• Economics: Economic Policy
• Economics: International Economics

Education

Education is as much about passion as scholarship. It’s about reaching and teaching students in ways that are both meaningful and culturally relevant.

As an education major at Emmanuel, you will first explore issues of access and equity in the history of education in America. Then, prepare yourself, through in-class instruction and site placements, for research-based practice in the design, delivery and management of curriculum and instruction in math, the sciences, English language arts and social studies. Using Boston as an extended classroom, students conduct field-based experiences in nearly three dozen area schools, allowing for first-hand observation and engagement with learners who have diverse instructional needs.

Areas of Study

• Education
• Educational Studies
• Elementary Education
• Licensure Program
• Math Education
• Secondary Education

English, Writing, & Communication

The study of English is more than grammar, punctuation and the canon of classic literature.

The guiding principle behind all concentrations in Emmanuel's English program is rhetoric – examining how we use language to influence the beliefs, attitudes or emotions of various audiences. Students studying English are offered an expansive, inclusive and thoroughly modern program with a departmental major and further concentrations in communication & media studies and writing, editing & publishing. Students who major in any of these departmental programs study the process by which we derive meaning from a variety of texts that are written, oral, visual or multimedia in nature.

Areas of Study

• African and African Diaspora Studies
• Communication and Media Studies
• English
• Film
• Writing, Editing & Publishing

History

The study of history enables students to understand change and continuity across time in the United States, Europe and the world.

History majors at Emmanuel have the opportunity to look at cultures and civilizations both nearby and remote as they study Boston’s neighborhoods, the Iberian presence in the Atlantic world or the ideals of the ancient Chinese. Examining instances of beauty, progress and success on the world stage as well as episodes of carnage, cruelty and injustice familiarizes students with the range and commonality of human experience and gives perspective on the present.

Areas of Study

• History
• History: Digital History
• Migration Studies

Individualized Major

The doors of Boston are open to you. Your curiosity knows no boundaries. Your motivation is high, your resources limitless. Your major is your own.

Whether it's a highly-specialized topic or a new field of study that merges several of your passions, the individualized major is designed for students whose career goals and intellectual interests can best be served through a carefully-constructed individualized major program. Students who choose an individualized major are highly-motivated, self-directed learners who work closely with a faculty advisor throughout their program.

Areas of Study

Interdisciplinary Studies

Are you interested in how centuries of American history have influenced the creation of the country’s art and literature? Do you want to learn more about religion’s role in the waging of war and the promotion of peace?

At Emmanuel College, you are encouraged to explore ALL of your interests and to discover how they relate to one another. Our interdisciplinary majors cross boundaries of traditional academic disciplines or schools of thought, giving students the opportunity to integrate knowledge and methods from multiple areas of study to solve complex problems.

Areas of Study

• American Studies
• Biostatistics
• Middle East Studies
• Peace Studies
• Transcultural Studies

International Studies

Gain an in-depth understanding of international relations, conflict and change, and sensitivity to diverse cultures.

The International Studies program offers an interdisciplinary major, with the option of concentrating in Diplomacy and Security or Sustainability and Global Justice, and three interdisciplinary minors: Latin American Studies, Middle East Studies or Peace Studies. These courses of study are designed to prepare students for work and life in an increasingly interconnected world.

Areas of Study

• International Studies
• International Studies: Diplomacy and Security
• International Studies: Sustainability + Global Justice

Mathematics

To study mathematics is to study the underpinnings of all intellectual pursuits.

Mathematics is the language of patterns. If you can find a pattern in something—be it science, art, finance or sports—then you can use mathematics to describe it and perhaps predict what will happen next. At Emmanuel, you can focus on applied mathematics, statistics or theoretical mathematics.

Areas of Study

• Biostatistics
• Mathematics
• Mathematics: Mathematical Modeling
• Mathematics: Statistics

Modern Languages

Explore language, culture and literature courses designed to enhance language acquisition and foster an understanding of diverse peoples and cultures.

In an increasingly globalized society, there are clear benefits to speaking more than one language. Bilingualism has become essential to those engaging in areas of science, technology, business and politics. Beyond just words and syntax, learning another language allows students to gain a deeper understanding of cultural ideas and traditions, and opens doors to career opportunities in a variety of different fields. The Department seeks to better prepare Emmanuel students to succeed in an interconnected world.

Areas of Study

• Spanish
• Spanish for Healthcare Professionals

Neuroscience

It has been stated that the human brain may be the single most complex living structure in the world, and therefore requires both a breadth and depth in learning and study exemplified by a liberal arts and sciences education.

Drawing from a wide range of fields including biology, psychology, chemistry, mathematics, philosophy, sociology and art, Emmanuel College provides two distinct, yet complementary, pathways for students to explore how the brain functions within the diverse field of neuroscience-from coursework to applied internships.

Areas of Study

• Biology: Neuroscience
• Neuroscience

Nursing

High standards in academics meets high standards in patient care—prepare for a rewarding and diverse nursing career in Boston's epicenter of health care.

Nurses are the backbone of healthcare in the U.S., and there is growing critical need for qualified nurses to promote health and wellness for all persons. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to increase 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Emmanuel's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) provides a broad and cohesive educational experience for nursing students, combining simulated laboratory experiences, clinical placements and classroom instruction, complemented by a liberal arts and sciences core curriculum.

Areas of Study

• Nursing

Pre-Professional Programs

Different from an undergradaute major, Emmanuel's pre-professional programs are recommended paths of study and experience to prepare students for admission to graduate school or a career in a specific industry.

In addition to a strong interest in and knowledge of subject matter, graduate school admissions offices at law and medical schools are also looking for well-rounded and diverse applicants that possess intellectual curiosity, ethics, leadership, tenacity, and communication and interpersonal skills. Emmanuel's pre-professional programs offer curricula recommended by the American Bar Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges designed to position you for success as you pursue postgraduate education, no matter which major you choose at the undergraduate level.

Areas of Study

• Pre-Health Professions
• Pre-Law

Philosophy

What is the meaning of humanity? Freedom? Knowledge? Good? Evil? Challenge your values to strengthen them. Examine your life to fulfill it.

Philosophy defined is “love of wisdom.” For our students and faculty this love—this pursuit—of wisdom is a calling. Philosophy prepares students for life, both personally and professionally. It drives personal growth, allowing those who study it to lead richer lives, prepared to consider the different ideas that compete for attention. And through reason and analysis, questioning assumptions and creative problem solving, Emmanuel students emerge ready for success in diverse fields such as teaching, law, medicine and business.

Areas of Study

• Philosophical Psychology
• Philosophy

Political Science

Delve into the fascinating relationship between people and government. War and peace. Cultural values and public opinion.

The governmental and political systems of the world are informed by much more than just present day politics. Our students are challenged to understand, research and critically assess the intricate relationships between people, cultures, history, domestic governmental and political systems, and the international arena.

Areas of Study

• Legal Studies
• Political Science
• Political Science: American Politics and Government
• Political Science: International Relations and Comparative Politics

Psychology & Neuroscience

What motivates you? How do you make decisions? The answers might surprise you.

Psychology is a rich and varied discipline dedicated to the scientific study of the complexity and diversity of the mind and behavior. Psychology covers a broad area of study, including cognition, personality, memory, emotion, interpersonal relationships, psychological disturbance and psychotherapy.

Areas of Study

• Neuroscience
• Psychology: Counseling and Health Psychology
• Psychology: Developmental Psychology

Sociology

Sociology helps us to understand society and ourselves, from our brief interactions with anonymous individuals to our roles within our families and jobs.

Sociology challenges us to question routines and expectations, to understand why we see things the way we do and to inquire into how different people approach the same situations from a variety of cultural backgrounds. By developing a sociological perspective, we can identify the institutions that shape society, at large, and our individual lives.

Areas of Study

• Criminology & Criminal Justice
• Sociology
• Sociology: Human Services
• Sociology: Social Inequality and Social Justice

Theater Arts

The act of creating—of making something, such as a piece of music, a work of theater or a new dance—is a uniquely human endeavor in which all cultures engage.

Sociology challenges us to question routines and expectations, to understand why we see things the way we do and to inquire into how different people approach the same situations from a variety of cultural backgrounds. By developing a sociological perspective, we can identify the institutions that shape society, at large, and our individual lives.

Areas of Study

• Theater Arts

Theology & Religious Studies

Then and now. Here in Boston and around the world. Rooted in Catholicism and open to the world.

Our courses span a broad range, engage all religious with openness and respect and invite students to think critically and creatively about how religious traditions have shaped our world. Courses frequently consider questions about poverty, ecology and human rights and emphasize experiential and service learning and social justice.

Areas of Study

• Catholic Studies
• Theology and Religious Studies