2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog > College of Arts and Sciences > College of Arts and Sciences - General Information
The current listings of Faculty and Staff in the College of Arts and Sciences and Faculty and Staff in the University Library can be found on the Athens State University website.
Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences prepare students for careers or for continuing education in graduate or professional school. Our mission in the College of Arts and Sciences is to assist students in developing:
Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences support the mission of Athens State by empowering students “to make valuable contributions in their professional, civic, educational, and economic endeavors.”
The Department of Behavioral Sciences offers courses in seven areas of study: Behavioral Science, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Health Science, Health & Wellness Management, and Public Safety and Health Administration. Programs in the Department employ an interdisciplinary approach aimed at developing a strong academic background to prepare students for employment in the areas of health, criminal justice, mental health, social work, counseling, substance abuse, sociology, and psychology. In addition, the programs prepare students for graduate or professional studies. Programs in Behavioral Sciences help students develop: (1) a knowledge base in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or health fields; (2) scientific inquiry skills; (3) a sense of ethical and social responsibility in a diverse world; (4) communication skills; and (5) professional skills and goals.
The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences offers courses in four areas of study: English, History, Religion, and Social Science. Programs in the Department help students develop a strong academic background in preparation for careers, graduate or professional programs, or certification as secondary education teachers. Department programs: (1) enhance the student’s understanding of the world, society, and community through a broad knowledge base in the humanities and social sciences; (2) foster respect and appreciation for diversity of people and opinions; (3) cultivate life-long learning through proficient use of technology and information; and (4) develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. Students pursuing teaching certification or licensure will complete additional requirements from the College of Education.
The Department of Fine and Performing Arts offers courses in three areas of study: Art, Drama and Theatre Arts, and Music. Programs in the Department emphasize individual commitment to creating art and provide students with the opportunity to shape the future of the art community, emphasizing the importance of art in society. Graduates of the program find themselves with a deepened artistic appreciation, knowledge-base, and skill-set that will allow them to pursue a graduate school education and/or that will enhance career opportunities. Department programs: (1) enhance the student’s understanding of the world, society, and community through broad knowledge in fine and/or performing arts; (2) foster respect and appreciation for a diversity of people and opinions; (3) develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills; and (4) instill strong ethical standards.
The Department of Mathematical, Computer and Natural Sciences is committed to providing students with a strong academic background within the context of an increasingly technology-driven society. The mathematics, computer science, and information technology programs allow students the flexibility to explore a wide range of applied and theoretical areas of mathematics, computing, and logic suitable for diverse employment environments in business, industry, and government, or for further studies. The curriculum is designed to include an interdisciplinary approach where students can combine mathematics, information technology, and/or computer science courses with other disciplines, as well as gain certification for teaching mathematics at the secondary school level. The mathematics, information technology, and computer science programs: (1) enhance the student’s knowledge of mathematics and computer science; (2) cultivate analytical and problem-solving skills; (3) instill an appreciation for ethical principles to face the challenges posed by the development and uses of new technology and advanced scientific inquiry; and (4) develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills.
The natural science programs include biology and chemistry. The biology and chemistry programs employ an interdisciplinary approach to the natural sciences, providing a comprehensive science education background obtained through rigorous coursework, laboratories, and field experiences. Structured to prepare students for career opportunities in science, government, industry, and education or for pursuing graduate studies, the natural sciences: (1) enhance the student’s knowledge of the fundamental principles of biology, chemistry, and related life sciences and their interrelationships; (2) cultivate analytical and problem solving skills through the active teaching of the scientific method; (3) instill an appreciation for ethical principles in the conduct of scientific inquiry and use of new technology; and (4) develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. Students pursuing secondary teaching licensure in mathematics, biology or chemistry will complete additional requirements mandated by the College of Education.
Majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree are offered in the disciplines of Art, Drama & Theatre Arts, English, English/Language Arts, History, Psychology, Religious Studies, and Sociology. Majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree are offered in the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Health and Wellness Management, Information Technology, Mathematics, Psychology, and Sociology. The disciplines of Psychology and Sociology sponsor an interdisciplinary major in Behavioral Science leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. The College of Arts and Sciences, in cooperation with the College of Education, offers majors with a minor in Education in Biology, Chemistry, English/Language Arts, History, Mathematics, and Social Science for those students who are interested in teaching grades 6-12. Completion of these programs will lead to Class B Certification in middle and high school education. Completion of the Bachelor of Arts Art Major with a minor in Education will lead to Class B Certification in grades P-12. In cooperation with the College of Business and the College of Education, the College sponsors interdisciplinary majors in Health Science and Public Safety and Health Administration leading to the Bachelor of Science degree.
Certain College of Arts and Sciences curricula require courses to be completed in a particular sequence. Therefore, it is important that Arts and Sciences students meet with their Faculty Advisor, as assigned by the Transfer Student Success Center Counselor for the College of Arts and Sciences, as soon as possible. It must be noted, however, that the student bears individual responsibility to schedule and complete all requirements for the degree and a particular program of study. To fit a specific student’s need, a special program of study may be devised which varies from published requirements. However, under no circumstances are alterations to a particular curriculum permitted without prior approval of the student’s faculty advisor and completion of a Curriculum Adjustment Form.
The College of Arts and Sciences offers online degree programs in the following majors: Religion, Psychology, and Individualized Degree Program. All coursework for these majors may be completed via distance learning. For additional information on distance education, refer to the Academic Policies section in the Introduction and General Information portion of the catalog or the University website.
Many Athens State University students express an interest in attending law school after graduation. Athens State graduates have attended law school at The University of Alabama, The Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, The University of Tennessee, The University of Florida, George Washington University, Memphis State University, and Southern Illinois University.
To be admitted to an accredited law school, students typically must have a bachelor’s degree, an acceptable score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and certain GPA requirements. Although no law school requires a specific major, the American Bar Association recommends degrees in English and history as preparation for law school.
Students interested in pre-health programs should contact the chief Pre-Health programs advisor, Dr. Sara Cline (sara.cline@athens.edu). Pre-health programs include:
Students receive guidance in planning individual academic programs that will help prepare them for graduate programs in health and medicine. Though many students pursue biology or chemistry degrees, medical schools generally do not require or recommend any particular field of study as long as the following courses are completed: