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Academics

Our list of majors and minors only tells part of the story. The energy comes from the mix.

Majors and Minors

At Purchase College, the mix of professional conservatory training in the visual and performing arts with rigorous programs in the sciences, humanities, and liberal arts produces a unique kind of campus experience.

Creativity lies at our core. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged. And regardless of major, you’ll develop a toolbox full of skills from your experiences finding unconventional approaches to problem solving, thinking critically, collaborating, and communicating mindfully. You’ll learn how to learn, so you’re be prepared for any and all career paths ahead.

Choose from 47 majors and 32 minors of undergraduate study, and seven graduate programs.

Sort your options or click on a major below to begin exploring.

Acting

  • Major
  • BFA

Anthropology

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Art History

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Art History MA

  • Major
  • MA

Arts Management

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Asian Studies

  • Minor
  • Interdisciplinary

Biochemistry

  • Major
  • BA

Biology

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA
  • BS

Chemistry

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Chinese

  • Minor

Cinema and Television Studies

  • Major
  • BA

Communications

  • Major
  • BS

Music: Composition (Classical)

  • Major
  • MusB
  • MM

Contemplative Studies

  • Minor
  • Interdisciplinary

Creative Writing

  • Major
  • BA

Dance Performance

  • Major
  • BFA

Economics

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Entrepreneurship in the Arts - Online

  • Major
  • MA

Environmental Studies

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Film

  • Major
  • BFA

Film/Video Production

  • Minor

French

  • Minor

Gender Studies

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA
  • Interdisciplinary

Global Black Studies

  • Minor
  • Interdisciplinary

Graphic Design

  • Major
  • BFA

History

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Music: Instrumental Performance

  • Major
  • MusB
  • MM
  • Artist Diploma
  • Performers Certificate

Italian

  • Minor

Music: Jazz Studies

  • Major
  • MusB
  • MM
  • Artist Diploma
  • Performers Certificate

Jewish Studies

  • Minor

Journalism

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Language and Culture

  • Major
  • BA

Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA
  • Interdisciplinary

Law and Justice Studies (formerly Legal Studies)

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA
  • Interdisciplinary

Liberal Arts

  • Major
  • BA
  • Interdisciplinary

Liberal Studies

  • Major
  • BA

Linguistics

  • Minor

Literature

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Mathematics/Computer Science

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Media Studies

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Museum Studies

  • Minor
  • Interdisciplinary

Music Minor

  • Minor

New Media

  • Major
  • BA

Painting and Drawing

  • Major
  • BFA

Philosophy and Critical Thought (formerly Philosophy)

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Photography

  • Major
  • BFA

Playwriting

  • Minor

Playwriting and Screenwriting

  • Major
  • BA

Political Science

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Printmaking

  • Major
  • BFA

Psychology

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Screenwriting

  • Minor

Sculpture

  • Major
  • BFA

Sociology

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Spanish

  • Minor

Music: Studio Composition

  • Major
  • MusB
  • MM

Music: Studio Production

  • Major
  • MusB

Television Theory and Practice

  • Minor

Theatre and Performance

  • Major
  • Minor
  • BA

Theatre Design/Technology

  • Major
  • BFA

Undeclared

Visual Arts Graduate Programs

  • Major
  • MFA
  • MA/MFA

Visual Arts Minor

  • Minor

Visual Arts, BSVA

  • Major
  • BS

Visual Arts, Interdisciplinary

  • Major
  • BFA

Music: Voice and Opera Studies

  • Major
  • MusB
  • MM
  • Artist Diploma
  • Performers Certificate
  • Purchase Experience
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Premedical Studies

Summer & Winter Sessions


Conservatories:

  • Conservatory of Dance
  • Conservatory of Music
  • Conservatory of Theatre Arts
  • School of Art+Design
  • Film BFA program

Related Links:

  • Academic Calendar
  • Advising Center
  • Career Development Center
  • Learning Center
  • Library
  • Registrar
  • General Education Curriculum

The Center for Engagement at Purchase College


Academic Spotlight:

  • Standing left to right: David Settanni '09, Lynn Lin '14, Devon Donahue '19

    Economics Network Event Connects Students and Alumni

    The event also celebrated Professor of Economics Sanford Ikeda, who’s retiring at the end of this year.

  • Jen Schriever '04

    Lecturer Jen Schriever ’04 Earns Tony Nomination

    For Best Lighting of a Play 

  • SUNY Chancellor John King, Hannah Kaebnick (holding a certificate), and Rudolf Gaudio, Director of Natural and Social Sciences

    Hannah Kaebnick: SUNY Chancellor’s Award Winner

    Psychology and sociology double major Hannah Kaebnick is one of two who earned the honors.

  • SUNY Chancellor John King, Sonia Seth '23 holding a certificate, and Director of the School of Natural and Social Sciences Rudolf Gaudio.

    Sonia Seth: SUNY Chancellor’s Award Winner

    Biology major and Chemistry minor Sonia Seth is one of two who earned the honors.

  • Kunga Choephel '23

    Film by Senior Kunga Choephel to Screen at NFFTY Festival

    The competitive festival celebrates emerging filmmakers from traditionally marginalized communities.

  • David Bassuk, Professor of Acting

    Professor David Bassuk is a Fulbright Scholar for 23–24

    He’ll spend 2023–2024 in Salzburg, Austria exploring immersive storytelling.

Today at Purchase Apply for Admission Neuberger Museum of Art The Performing Arts Center

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