Welcome to the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences is the beating heart of Washburn University.
Through 18 academic departments and the Mulvane Art Museum, we work diligently to ensure that each student is prepared to successfully engage in an increasingly diverse, technological, and innovative world.
Our strong personal engagement between faculty and students, as well as our varied educational options, make the College the ideal place to gain the skills that will make you highly competitive in the marketplace:
- Strong oral communication
- Strong written communication
- Creative thinking and problem-solving
- Ethical decision-making
- Adaptability and teamwork
Our graduates are employed in exciting careers, gain acceptance into graduate and professional schools, and speak highly of their educational experience and the zeal for lifelong learning that they gain here at Washburn. Are you ready to be an Ichabod?
Anthropology
The chief concern of Anthropology is to understand culture, a peoples' total way of life. At Washburn, Anthropology is part of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Both anthropology and sociology emphasize the external causes of human behavior.
Art
Studying Art involves both the history and making of visual artworks. Cultural background, design, technique, form and content are investigated as aspects of the creative expression.
Astronomy
Astronomy studies the contents of the universe and those contents' distinguishing features, composition, motion, radiation, past and future. Astronomy courses are found within the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Biology
Biology studies living things: their origin, evolution, diversity in structure and functions as well as interactions with each other and the environment.
Chemistry
Chemistry scientifically studies matter--both animate and inanimate, its structure, reactions, and associated energy changes. Synthesis of matter, molecular modeling, and prediction of chemical properties derive from observational based theory.
Communication Studies
Communications are vehicle which enables us to recall the past, think in the present, plan for the future, manage our relationships, and interact with our environment.
Computer Information Sciences
Computer studies the interrelationships of procedures, hardware, software, data, and people that allow the computer to be used as a tool. The discipline emphasizes the development of the analytical skills needed to apply technological solutions to complex problems.
Engineering
Engineering is a broad applied field which is concerned with ways to use mathematics and natural science for the benefit of mankind. The university's pre-engineering program is part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Forensic Sciences
The forensic sciences use scientific applications to collect, examine, and analyze evidence. At Washburn, which is home to the Kansas Bureau of Investigations Forensic Science Center, programs are offered by the College in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Information Sciences, and Sociology and Anthropology.
English
Courses in English foster habits of creative and effective self-expression and the analytical skills appropriate to a thoughtful appreciation for the ways others have expressed themselves, creatively and effectively, through poetry, story, essay, and film.
Geography
Geography is the science that describes the interactions between human life, the planet surface, natural features and resources, and non-human living systems. There are a limited number of geography courses in the Department of History.
Geology
The study of rock formation, landform, and mountain-making movements, natural resources, geologic time, and mankind's impact on the environment. There are some geology courses within the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
History
History is the interpretation of the record of human experience. It is the discipline for imagining the past.
Integrated Studies
Integrated Studies is designed to encourage and facilitate the integration of knowledge and skills from diverse disciplines. These courses are developed between disciplines and will be administered by different departments. You can search the course schedule for interdisciplinary courses to see a complete listing of interdisciplinary courses in a given semester.
Kinesiology
Kinesiology is an academic discipline which involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life. It includes, but is not limited to, such areas of study as exercise science, sports management, athletic training and sports medicine, socio-cultural analyses of sports, sport and exercise psychology, fitness leadership, physical education-teacher education, and pre-professional training for physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine and other health related fields.
Mass Media
Mass Media messages for communication between one person or groups of persons and a large audience through a medium (radio, television, newspapers, magazines, on-line) for the purpose of educating, informing, entertaining or persuading.
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics studies numbers, their form, arrangement, and associated relationships using rigorously defined literal, numerical and operational symbols. Statistics deals with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.
Modern Languages
Languages open the world. Studying another language provides insight into another culture and other ways of thinking, a perspective on your own culture, and insights into the functions of language.
Music
Music has been both a shaping force and a reflection of culture since the beginning of recorded history. Studies in music include perceptive listening, surveys of major works, aesthetic appreciation, structure and the materials of music, and performance.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the quest for wisdom. It is, simultaneously, the seeking of wisdom, the wisdom sought, and the wisdom so far attained. At Washburn, Philosophy is part of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.
Physics
Physics treats the principles governing the inanimate world of matter and energy, force and motion, heat, electricity, light, atomic and nuclear structure.
Political Science
Aristotle called Political Science "the queen of the sciences". It describes policies, power and life at all levels of human organization from families to terrorist groups, nations, empires and modern international organizations.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of behavior and the mind using observation and experimentation to understand how we perceive, learn, remember, feel and act.
Public Administration
Public administration is a career field of employment in governments and non-profit agencies. It involves the statistical and scientific study of management, implementation and evaluation of public programs and policies. Courses in public administration are part of the Department of Political Science.
Religious Studies
The academic study of religion seeks to understand religion through multiple academic disciplines and analytical methods. At Washburn, Religious Studies is part of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of social life and social change, especially in industrial and postindustrial societies. At Washburn, Sociology is part of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Both anthropology and sociology emphasize the external causes of human behavior.
Theatre
The study of Theatre Arts involves the analysis of dramatic texts and the understanding of the elements and process necessary to create crafted performances. Theatre informs, entertains, is a forum for ideas and a window through which we recognize comedy and tragedy.
Women's and Gender Studies
Women’s and Gender Studies explores the connections between race and ethnicity, class, sexual identity and gender as they impact women’s and men’s lives in a variety of cultural contexts. A minor is available.
Graduate Programs
Master of Arts in Communication & Leadership
Master of Arts in Psychology (Clinical)
Master of Education
- Curriculum & Instruction with emphasis in Literacy
- Curriculum & Instruction with emphasis in Educational Technology
- Curriculum & Instruction in Educational Studies
- High Incidence Special Education Elementary K-6 or Secondary 6-12
- High Incidence Special Education Elementary K-6 (for Washburn undergraduate alumni only)
- Leadership: Building-level P-12 (M.Ed. OR Licensure only)
- Leadership: District-level P-12 (Licensure only)
- Reading/ESLO Specialist (M.Ed. OR Licensure only)
Interdisciplinary degrees
Washburn offers several interdisciplinary degrees that offer flexibility based on interest and/or prior credit. The buttons below will take you to more information about:
Interdisciplinary Minors
The interdisciplinary minors offered by the College of Arts and Sciences provide the opportunity to take a thematic approach to broad subjects. These minors are often enhance the major and allow you to tailor a program to your specific goals. The buttons below will allow you to explore each program in more detail.
GET IN TOUCH WITH College of Arts & Sciences
College of Arts & Sciences
Morgan Hall, Room 209
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
Phone: 785.670.1636
Fax: 785.670.1297
cas@washburn.edu
Dean's Office Staff
Deans and Staff Information
