College of Arts and Sciences

Students on campus with Ray

Arts and Sciences Academic Programs

Department of Biological Sciences

All offerings Macomb campus only.

Undergraduate
  • B.S. in Biology with options in:
    • Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Medical Sciences, Science/Biology Teacher Education, Environmental Biology
  • B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Minors: Botany, Horticulture, Microbiology, Middle Level Science Teaching, Zoology
Graduate
  • M.S. in Biology with choice of plans:
    • Thesis, Project, Coursework

Department of Chemistry

All offerings Macomb campus only.

Undergraduate
  • B.S. in Chemistry with options in:
    • Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Science/Chemistry-Teacher Education
  • B.S. in Forensic Chemistry
  • Minors: Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Science
Graduate
  • M.S. in Chemistry with choice of plans:
    • Applied, Thesis
  • Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree
    • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Master of Science in Chemistry
    • Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry/Master of Science in Chemistry

Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences (EAGIS)

Undergraduate
  • B.S. in Geographic Information Science (Macomb, Online) with options in:
    • Geospatial Science, Geoenvironment and Planning
  • B.S. in Meterology (Macomb) with options in:
    • Operational Meteorology, Applied Meteorology
  • Minors: Geographic Information Systems (Macomb, Online), Geography (Macomb, Online), Weather and Climate (Macomb)
Graduate
  • M.S. in GIScience and Geoenvironment with choice of exit options:
    • Thesis, Applied Project, Professional Plan
  • Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree
    • Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science/Master of Science in GIScience and Geoenvironment
    • Bachelor of Science in Meteorology/Master of Science in GIScience and Geoenvironment
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - GIS Analysis

Department of English

Undergraduate
  • B.A. in English with options in:
    • Literature and Language (Macomb, Quad Cities), English-Teacher Education (Macomb), Creative Writing (Macomb), Professional Writing (Macomb, Quad Cities)
  • Minors: Creative Writing (Macomb), English (Macomb, Quad Cities), Film (Macomb), Professional Writing (Macomb, Quad Cities, Online), Queer Studies (Macomb)
Graduate
  • M.A. in English with choice of exit options:
    • Applied Research Project, Comprehensive Exam, Thesis

Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures

Undergraduate
  • B.A. in Foreign Languages and Cultures (Macomb) with options in:
    • Spanish, French, Spanish Teacher Education, French Teacher Education
  • Minors: French (Macomb), Spanish (Macomb, Quad Cities)
Graduate
  • Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree
    • Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language/Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of History

  • B.A. in History with options in:
    • History (Macomb, Online), Pre-Law (Macomb), History-Teacher Education (Macomb)
  • Minors: History (Macomb, Quad Cities, Online), Middle Level Social Studies Teaching (Macomb)
Graduate
  • M.A. in History with choice of plans:
    • Thesis, Applied Project, General Coursework
  • Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree
    • Bachelor of Arts in History/Master of Arts in History

Department of Mathematics and Philosophy

  • B.S. in Mathematics (Macomb) with options in:
    • Mathematics, Mathematics-Teacher Education, Data Science and Statistics, Actuarial Science
  • Minors: Applied Mathematics (Macomb), Mathematics (Macomb, Quad Cities), Middle Level Mathematics Teaching (Macomb), Philosophy (Macomb, Online)
Graduate
  • M.S. in Mathematics
  • Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree
    • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics/Master of Science in Mathematics

School of Nursing

  • B.S. in Nursing with two emphasis of study:
    • Pre-Licensure (Macomb)
    • RN-BSN Completion (Macomb, Online)

Department of Physics

All offerings Macomb campus only.

  • B.S. in Physics with options in:
    • Standard Physics, Engineering Physics, Science/Physics—Teacher Education, Materials Science
  • Minors: Conceptual Physics, Physics
Graduate
  • M.S. in Physics with choice of plans:
    • Internship, Thesis, Course Work
  • Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree
    • Bachelor of Science in Physics/Master of Science in Physics

Department of Political Science

  • B.A. in Political Science with options in:
    • Political Science—General (Macomb, Online), American Government (Macomb), International Relations/Comparative Politics (Macomb), Pre-Law (Macomb), Public Administration/Public Policy (Macomb, Online)
  • Minors: Global Politics (Macomb), International Studies (Macomb), Political Science (Macomb, Online), Public Administration and Public Service (Macomb)
Graduate
  • M.A. in Political Science with choice of exit options:
    • Thesis, Two Paper, Applied Thesis Project (limited to students in the Peace Corps Fellows Program)
  • Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree
    • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Master of Arts in Political Science

Department of Psychology

  • B.A. in Psychology with options in:
    • Psychology (Macomb, Quad Cities), Forensic Psychology (Macomb)
  • Minors: Aging Studies (Macomb), Forensic Psychology (Macomb), Mental Health (Macomb, Quad Cities), Neuroscience (Macomb), Psychology (Macomb, Quad Cities, Online)
Graduate
  • M.S. in Psychology with options in:
    • Clinical/Community Mental Health, General Experimental Psychology, Specialist in School Psychology

Department of Race, Religion, Gender, and Multidisciplinary Studies (RRGMS)

  • Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences (BLAS) (Macomb, Quad Cities) with options in:
    • African American Studies, Paired Minors
  • Minors: African American Studies (Macomb), Cannabis and Culture (Macomb, Online), Religious Studies (Macomb, Online), Women's Studies (Macomb, Online)
Graduate
  • Masters of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) with exit options:
    • Thesis, Internship, Applied Project
  • Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree
    • Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language/Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences/Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

All offerings available at Macomb and online. Sociology minor also available at Quad Cities.

  • B.A. in Anthropology
  • B.A. in Sociology
  • Minors: Anthropology, Cannabis and Culture, Sociology
Graduate
  • M.A. in Sociology with exit options:
    • Thesis, General Sociology Non-Thesis Plan, General Sociology Internship Plan
  • Integrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree
    • Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Master of Arts in Sociology

Pre-Law

The B.A. in History Pre-Law Option, offered by the Department of History, surveys the origins and evolution of American legal traditions—in Enlightenment thought, in the foundations of British, European, and American constitutionalism, and in the evolution of American federalism, civil rights, and commercial and criminal law. Students’ History courses will help them develop the analytical and problem-solving skills, critical reading ability, writing skills, and oral communication skills essential in law school and when practicing law.

View more information about the History Pre-Law Option

The B.A. in Political Science Pre-Law Option, offered by the Department of Political Science, provides students the opportunity to explore law-related topics by studying constitutional law directly. In addition, it emphasizes courses related to law making and interpreting institutions, including the courts, Congress, and state legislatures. This option helps students understand the role of law in society while providing a basis for them to gauge their interest in law school. By analyzing cases, as well as presenting and critiquing arguments, students will develop reading, writing, and presentation skills that foster success in a legal career.

View more information about the Political Science Pre-Law Option

Interdisciplinary Minors

To enroll in an interdisciplinary minor, students should consult their major academic advisor and the minor advisor listed below for each minor. View minor details in the undergraduate catalog.

Aging Studies - Macomb, 18 s.h.

The Aging Studies Minor is intended to complement and enhance career opportunities for students across a variety of majors by providing a broad multidisciplinary understanding of aging processes and issues. Beyond the core course, students are able to individualize their studies to fit their career goals or personal needs. This includes a personalized experiential or service learning component.

Advisor: Dr. Robert Intrieri, Department of Psychology

Cannabis and Culture - Macomb, Online, 18 s.h.

The interdisciplinary minor in Cannabis and Culture offers students a foundation for understanding the socio-cultural, historical, and politics of cannabis use in the United States and around the globe. As a result of the swift growth in medical and recreational cannabis in Illinois, Western Illinois University students may find the cannabis industry an attractive one to enter after graduation. The minor will expose students to some of the types of employment they might pursue. The minor in Cannabis and Culture, as an interdisciplinary minor, will provide WIU students with the recognition of complex historical, cultural, and social/political/economic contexts.

This minor will offer all students an inclusive experience, drawing on a variety of backgrounds and modes of understanding, in addition to emphasizing how societal structures have affected drug legislation, business ownerships, and the current and future challenges anyone entering this industry is likely to face.

Advisor: Dr. Heather McIlvaine-Newsad, Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Environmental Studies - Macomb, 18-22 s.h.

The Environmental Studies (ES) minor is an interdisciplinary program that allows students to expand their understanding of the environment by studying one of three Foundation Areas: (1) Environmental and Earth Sciences, (2) Human Dimensions and Environmental Interactions, and (3) Environmental Management and Decisionmaking. The ES Minor is open to students from any major, College, or Department at Western!

Advisor: Jennifer Sandrik-Rubio, Academic Advisor

International Studies - Macomb, 18 s.h.

The minor in international studies helps students gain insight into global issues, societies, and cultures from a range of disciplinary perspectives. It is designed to prepare students for further academic study or a variety of professional careers, such as those in international business and finance, international non-governmental organizations, and policy institutes.

Advisor: Dr. Greg Baldi, Department of Political Science

Law and Society - Macomb, 18 s.h.

The interdisciplinary minor in Law and Society helps prepare students for law school as well as a variety of other careers related to the American legal system. It helps students understand both the mechanics of the administration of justice, as well as the larger philosophical, historical, social, moral, political, and psychological framework of jurisprudence. As such, it combines specific knowledge of how the system operates with a broader understanding of the role of law in American society, and how legal institutions interact with broader social forces and trends.

Advisor: Dr. Keith Boeckelman, Department of Political Science