Bachelor of Arts in Communication

at State University of New York at New Paltz USA

Accepted students enter as prospective candidates for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in visual arts or as a pre-major in art education. Upon completion of the art foundation core and basic studio classes in a particular medium, students in the BA or BS program may choose to apply to one of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree programs. Entrance into a BFA program is by portfolio and interview; the student applies directly to the specific program of interest.

The Art History Department is committed to providing students with a broad and varied understanding of world art traditions, and to fostering an approach to interpreting art based on sound critical thinking, analytical skills, and an awareness of historical context.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy offers majors in both physics and astronomy, serves a variety of other majors in the sciences and education, and offers general education courses to a wide range of students.

The Physics major provides a broad base of fundamentals, yet gives you the opportunity to get specialized training.  First, you take two-semester introductory courses that survey physics, chemistry, and calculus.  Then, you follow up with courses covering classical and modern physics, computational physics, and applied mathematics.  The capstone experience is a senior project.  If you would like, you can pursue topics of interest to you through independent study.  An adviser works closely with you to plan what's best for your situation.

The School of Business is an accredited member of AACSB International: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accreditation represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees. Fewer than five percent of the world's business programs have earned AACSB accreditation.

Bachelor of Science programs in Accounting, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General Business, International Business, Marketing, and Management are offered. In all cases, students fulfill a 40-credit Business core curriculum and also complete courses required for their specific Business major. It is expected that students who complete the program will possess skills in critical thinking, oral and written communication, teamwork and ethics. Follow the links below to learn more about the curriculum for each major, as well as for the minors in Business and Business Analytics.

Master of Science in School Counseling prepares students for certification as school counselors. The degree includes a core curriculum and specialization courses. The curriculum covers school counseling practice and research, in addition to necessary coursework in human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, helping relationships, group work, career and lifestyle development, appraisal, research and program development, and professional orientation. Practicum and internship experiences provide unique, varied, and intense hands-on school counseling training experiences that meet state certification requirements.

Geology offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Through formal courses, field work, and research projects, students develop an awareness of the geological processes that shape our planet, and their impact on society and the environment. The undergraduate major in geology offers concentrations in General Geology and Environmental Geoscience and leads to either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. The BS degree in Geology is licensure qualifying: its coursework meets the education requirements for Professional Geologist licensure in New York State. 

Chemistry at New Paltz offers both undergraduate and masters degree programs. Three undergraduate programs leading to liberal arts degrees are available: the general chemistry major, the American Chemical Society (ACS)-approved chemistry major, and the chemistry major with biochemistry emphasis.

A student who obtains an ACS-approved degree is eligible for employment as a chemist in industry or government. The ACS-approved program also prepares students for graduate study and for professional training in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. Course offerings allow chemistry majors to obtain a broad background in several areas of chemistry.

The biochemistry emphasis is designed for the student interested in biochemistry or health-related sciences requiring a substantial background in chemistry. This program provides excellent preparation for health professional training, as well as for graduate study in clinical chemistry, physiology, and medicinal chemistry. Students take core courses in chemistry and biology and complete the year-long biochemistry sequence.

The Department of Economics offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Art or a Bachelor of Science in Economics. It is designed to prepare students for careers in private and public sectors, non-profit organizations, and for graduate work in economics and business administration.

In addition to a broad General Economics track, students may complete prescribed clusters of upper-division elective courses to concentrate their studies in Business Economics or International Economics tracks.  Students who intend to pursue graduate study in economics are advised to complete additional courses in mathematics.

The concentration areas within the program are designed to enable students to combine a liberal arts education with their individual graduate work or career objectives. Prospective majors are strongly advised to plan their program of study in consultation with the department chair or another member of the Economics faculty.

The Ceramics program cultivates the conceptual, technical, and professional growth of its graduate students by providing an environment balanced among pragmatic skill development, critical and theoretical dialogue, and intensive studio research geared toward a process of making and thinking, resulting in innovative and dynamic outcomes. We encourage students to have a strong sense of responsibility, self-reliance, and confidence. Faculty guide students in independent research and individual approaches to their practice. The curricular structure challenges students to critically evaluate their work within a material-specific and an interdisciplinary framework, as well as in theoretical and professional contexts. Students are encouraged to work with methodologies that explore the boundaries of the field while demonstrating an understanding of historic and contemporary ecologies. With private graduate studios within the program's expansive 10,000 square foot facility and access to a broad range of traditional and contemporary technologies, the program provides students with the resources and the latitude necessary to develop an authentic, significant contribution to the field.

Bachelor of Science programs in Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, General Business, International Business, Marketing, and Management are offered.

It is expected that students who complete the program will possess skills in critical thinking, oral and written communication, teamwork and ethics. Follow the links below to learn more about the curriculum for each major, as well as for the minors in Business and Business Analytics.