What is the College of Arts and Sciences?

• The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest, oldest, and most academically diverse of the 17 academic colleges at Florida State University.

• It is comprised of 18 departments offering over 70 undergraduate majors; 11 programs and institutes; and about 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

• Each year over 25% of the undergraduate degrees earned at FSU are conferred by the College of Arts and Sciences.

• At the undergraduate level, the College offers a wide range of educational opportunities to develop a rich appreciation of the Humanities and the Sciences that enhances the quality of students’ lives morally, intellectually and professionally as students prepare to pursue careers and become leaders in society.

What are the College Requirements?

• Complete a major

• Complete the hours required for a minor

• Arts and Sciences Foreign Language Proficiency requirement

Who is my advisor?

• You will meet with an advisor(s) in your academic department during orientation and at least once every semester of your undergraduate career. Your departmental advisor is the best resource regarding your major requirements. Your advisor(s) knows which courses are best taken together and during which semesters specific major courses are offered.

• You should also meet with the embedded Career Liaison in your discipline to discuss internship opportunities and career paths. Often several majors can provide the educational background and develop the soft skills needed for a given career path.

What is a minor?

• A minor is an area of specialization, usually requiring 4-6 courses in a discipline outside of your major.

• The College of Arts and Sciences does not allow students to overlap minor requirements with their General Education or foreign language proficiency requirements.

How do I choose a minor?

• Minors should be selected from the approved list, though undergraduate certificate programs can also be used to satisfy the minor requirement.

• Choose a minor that would allow you to learn more about a specific topic, compliments your major, or further develops skills needed for your future career.

  • For example, Psychology majors who plan to work within or to reform the criminal justice system may choose a Criminology or Sociology minor.

  • Psychology majors who want to work specifically with children may want to purse a Child Development minor or pursue a Certificate in Developmental Disabilities.

• Some majors have an interdisciplinary collateral minor built into the major. For example, the Biological Science major has an interdisciplinary collateral minor comprised of chemistry, mathematics/statistics, and physics courses used to provide a wider foundation for upper division biological science courses.

What is the Arts and Sciences Foreign Language Proficiency requirement?

• It is different than the World Language requirement checked by the FSU Office of Admissions.

• To meet the College of Arts and Sciences Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement, you must demonstrate proficiency in an ancient or modern language through the intermediate level (usually the 2220 level course). This is a graduation requirement rather than an entrance requirement.

Do I have to complete three courses or 12 hours of a language coursework to meet the Bachelor of Arts/College of Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement?

• No! The Bachelor of Arts and College of Arts and Sciences Foreign Language requirements are proficiency requirements, not credit hour-based requirements. This can be demonstrated through placement examinations, completed coursework, or test credit earned through an accelerated examination.

Can I take the foreign language placement exam this summer?  

• Yes! If you have prior background/experience in French, German, or Spanish and have not earned college credit in the language, you are required to take the placement exam to confirm appropriate course placement and/or in an attempt to test out of the foreign language requirement. Follow these instructions to register for this free placement exam. Students with proficiency in other languages should contact mlladvising@fsu.edu for placement exam options. 

What if I have incoming college credit (AP, IB, CLEP, AICE, Dual Enrollment, etc.) in a foreign language? 

• Appropriate course placement is based upon prior credits earned; if you have earned college credit, you are not eligible to take the placement exam. Please contact mlladvising@fsu.edu, if needed, to confirm appropriate course placement and/or for assistance evaluating any dual enrollment/transfer coursework. 

• Often students who have earned credit through an accelerated exam may have already completed the foreign language requirement.

  • For example, earning a 3 on the AP Spanish Language examination will yield credit for SPN2220 which satisfies the foreign language requirement.

What if I have no prior background/experience in a language?

• If you have no prior background/experience in a language, you will begin your language study in 1120 of your desired language. No placement exams are required.

How long are my placement exam scores valid? 

• Per the Placement Test Score Sheet, for placement into a higher language level, this score is valid only during the semester the test was completed or within 60 days of taking the test. If your score is high enough to exempt the language requirement, your score is valid until you graduate from Florida State. 

Can I take my foreign language classes on a pass/fail (referred to as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory by the university) basis?

• Yes, with the exception of American Sign Language courses!

• You will need to submit your S/U Form by the 7th week deadline associated course for the term in question to your Academic Dean’s Office. For at least your first term at FSU, this is the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

What is the best major for me to get into PA or Med School?

• There are many paths to get into Professional Health Schools. The correct path depends on each individual student and your interest. FSU offers many different options for students pursuing the PA or Med school route.

• It is best to choose a major that will interest you and you will enjoy taking the classes for the next 4 years that you are at FSU. Review the Academic Program Guide to find a list of all majors offered at FSU.

• Common pre-health majors within the College of Arts and Sciences include Behavioral Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Biological Science, Cell & Molecular Neuroscience, Chemical Science and Psychology, but each year students graduating with a degree in the Humanities who have competitively completed the prerequisites and scored well on the MCAT also gain admission to PA and medical schools.

• It is best to visit the Pre-Health Advisors for advising on the requirements for each of the Professional Health Schools. More information can be found at https://med.fsu.edu/outreach/pre-health-advising-overview

• The Pre-Health Advisors will be presenting in the Orientation First Year Fridays workshops from 10:00am - 11:00am on the following days: June 12, June 19, June 26, July 2 (this is actually on Thursday), July 10, and July 17. Please check your Orientation modules and emails for more information.

What is the best major for me to get into law school?

• There are many paths to get into a law school. The correct path depends on each individual student and your interest. FSU offers many different options for students pursuing the law school route after graduating with a bachelor’s degree.

• It is best to choose a major that will interest you and you will enjoy taking the classes for the next 4 years that you are at FSU. Review the Academic Program Guide to find a list of all majors offered at FSU.

• Common pre-law majors within the College of Arts and Sciences include Classics, any of the English majors, History, Humanities, Philosophy, and Psychology, but if you want to practice patent law, you may want to choose a science major.

• It is best to visit the Pre-Law Advisors for advising on how to be a competitive law school applicant.

• The Pre-Law Advisors will be presenting in the Orientation First Year Fridays workshops from 9:00am – 10:00am on the following days: June 12, June 19, June 26, July 2 (this is actually on Thursday), July 10, and July 17. Please check your Orientation modules and emails for more information.

Anthropology

What kind of job can I get with an Anthropology Degree?

• Anthropology majors develop both general and technical skills which are applicable to a wide range of careers. Anthropologists, in all subfields, are trained in research, analysis, cultural diversity and strong communication skills. In addition to consulting the STEM Career Liaison, the American Anthropological Association Career Guide is a highly respected source for career information.

Biological Science

What can I expect from the Biological Science major?

• Biology major will cover cell and molecular biology; ecology, evolution and environmental science; marine biology; plant sciences; pre-professional health science; and zoology.

• The pre-professional health sciences academic track meets most requirements for admission to medicine, veterinary medicine, optometry, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician’s assistance programs.

• It requires students to complete a foreign language, MAC2311- Calculus I, organic chemistry, and physics.

Chemistry

What do Chemists do?

• Chemists perform experiments, conduct research, investigate and analyze techniques for basic scientific purposes, and develop new and improved products. Discoveries have sometimes resulted in the creation of entirely new industries: for example, the polymers and synthetic textile fibers industries, and more recently nanotechnology. Many chemists specialize in the product or process of a particular industry, such as agriculture, food, petroleum, plastics, and rubber.

• Biochemists use many of the same techniques as chemists, but their research is often used in the health and pharmaceutical industries. The Biochemistry major includes all of the prerequisites for medical school.

Computer Science

What is the difference between the Computer Science BS and Computer Science BA?

• The CS-BS (science track) is recommended for students who are ultimately interested in research or graduate school in computer science. With reduced requirements in math and science, the CS BA (humanities track) is an excellent option for students who wish to double major in a second area (Art, Business, etc.). We encourage students to see this page for more detail, and to discuss future opportunities with the STEM career liaison.

What is the difference between Computer Science and Scientific Computing?

• Computer Science studies computers at the hardware and software levels. The research includes the analysis and development of tools such as compilers, optimizers, and languages.

• Computational Science lies at the intersection of Mathematics, Computer Science, Applied Science, and Engineering. All their courses contain elements of all four disciplines. Thus, students interested in our programs should appreciate the need for physics-based modeling, math-based algorithm development, and model implementation via programming in one or several languages. Many students in our program are interested in applying their knowledge to help solve critical societal problems.

Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS)

What is EOAS?

• EOAS is the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science.

• The department offers three degree-programs with six majors: Environmental Science, Geology, and Meteorology.

• These majors seek to understand more about the physical factors impacting the Earth and prepare graduates to become a scientific source of information to decision makers and protect the public and our natural resources.

English

What is the difference between the three English majors?

• Editing, Writing, & Media - Emphasizes the production, analysis, and interpretation of a wide range of historic, contemporary, academic, and everyday texts. Coursework ranges from the history of print to the circulation of digital texts, with an emphasis on traditional and contemporary media.

• Creative Writing - Creative Writing students are respected as some of the strongest emerging and established voices in writing today. Our faculty is not only dedicated to the craft of their own writing but is also widely known for strong mentorship and committed teaching to help cultivate a style that articulates your unique experience.

• Literature, Media, & Culture - Students will read great works and learn practices of criticism and interpretation that cover a broad range of historical, geographical and cultural topics, including courses on film, Shakespeare, popular culture, feminism, counterculture, poetry, and ethnic literatures of all sorts.

History

Why major in History?

• History is the best major to acquire and develop the critical-thinking skills that are sought by today's employers and necessary for graduate programs.

• The top six skills a student can acquire with a History degree include:

  1. Framing and conducting research

  2. Gathering & analyzing data

  3. Critical thinking & problem solving

  4. Persuasive Communication, verbal and written

  5. Teamwork, collaboration

  6. Project & time management.

Modern Languages and Linguistics (MLL)

What programs can I pursue within the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics (MLL) at FSU?

• The Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics offers majors in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Middle Eastern Studies, Russian, and Spanish. Students can also pursue a Co-Major (where two languages are selected) or a Language/Business major.

• All MLL majors can be pursued as a primary major, additional major, or dual degree. Minors are available in all of the aforementioned programs as well as Arabic, Hebrew, Linguistics, and Portuguese.

Why should I pursue a foreign language major at FSU?

• Programs offered within the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics help prepare students for success in a diverse, globalized, and multicultural world.

• Whether your interests include international business, linguistic and cultural enrichment, federal and foreign service, non-governmental work, language teaching, social professions, or the humanities and arts, our programs will strengthen your profile opening doors to a wide range of professional and entrepreneurial opportunities that will make you more competitive on the job market.

• Study abroad opportunities also allow students to enhance their language proficiency and cross-cultural awareness while developing an ability to think critically about their own cultural practices and beliefs (all while earning major credit).

Neuroscience

What other careers besides Psychiatrist or Neurosurgeon can I have with a Neuroscience degree?

• Neuroscience is the scientific investigation of the biological basis of behavior.

• The unique multi-disciplinary breadth of the Neuroscience degree prepares students for a wide variety of STEM-related careers as researchers, educators, or health and human-centered professionals. Understanding human brain function in health and disease has long been of central importance to medical doctors and psychologists.

• However, Neuroscience is also an excellent preparation for careers in health policy, bioethics, public health, computer science, or biomedical engineering.

• Neuroscience is playing an emerging role in traditionally non-STEM professions such as law, economics, public relations, and marketing.

Philosophy

What can I do with a degree in Philosophy?

• As a Philosophy major, you will develop crucial skills that will help you excel in any career and adapt in the changing world, including critical thinking, written and verbal communication, and analyzing and understanding arguments and assertions.

• A philosophy major is a typical start to a law career, and philosophy students routinely outperform nearly all other majors on the LSAT, GRE, and GMAT.

• People who study philosophy have gone on to be successful tech leaders, entrepreneurs, journalists, professors, politicians, clergy, Supreme Court justices, award-winning writers, actors, comedians, filmmakers, activists, and even Presidents of the United States.

Religion

What will I learn as a Religion major?

• You will learn critical and clear thinking, which is the goal of most of the humanities (English, History, Philosophy, Sociology, etc.) - and - more importantly - how to apply that type of thinking to things that matter a great deal to human beings, namely their religions.