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Program Offers Flexible, Student-Centered Path for Combining Chemistry with Diverse Academic and Career Interests

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擝eginning with the 2026 Fall Semester in August, 海角网 will launch a new Bachelor of Arts (BA) in chemistry program, designed to expand opportunities for students who want to pair scientific study with broader academic pursuits. Building on 海角网鈥檚 established strength in personalized, student-centered learning, the program emphasizes meaningful faculty mentorship and academic engagement.

Dr. Meredith Rowe, associate professor of biology and chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, thanked chemistry professors, Dr. Ben Brooks, Dr. Stefka Eddins, and Dr. Venita Totten for their efforts to establish the new program. 鈥淭he Chemistry BA will allow students time in their major to build Chemistry-specific skills in addition to developing in other fields such as psychology, English, and world languages,鈥� Rowe observed. 鈥淭his program will provide an avenue for students who want to earn a degree in chemistry while preparing them to move beyond basic science and work in a field that incorporates more of these humanities-related skills.鈥�

Developed with flexibility in mind, the BA in chemistry allows students to explore interdisciplinary areas while enhancing critical skills in writing, communication, and language. 鈥淭he BA in chemistry nicely complements our current Bachelor of Science (BS) in chemistry degree,鈥� Brooks shared. 鈥淭he ideal student for this major is someone who loves chemistry but wants to take courses from other disciplines beyond what is offered in the general education curriculum.鈥�

He noted that the new degree program is particularly well-suited for adding a minor course of study. For example, a student may wish to pair the BA in chemistry with a pre-law minor and pursue a law degree or become a patent agent. 鈥淭here are almost endless career paths that a student can pursue,鈥� Brooks informed. 鈥淎s we designed the degree, some of the careers that we envisioned students seeking with the BA in chemistry included environmental law, forensic law, patent law, scientific writing, scientific illustration, art conservation, pharmaceutical sales, and chemical marketing.鈥�

He continued, 鈥淏ut the degree opens up a variety of other avenues. For example, a student interested in missiology who wanted to work with water purification, sustainability, or other environmental aspects of mission work might find this degree attractive.鈥�

Students who are dedicated to pursuing careers that involve research and development, graduate school, or professional school may find the BS degree to be the better fit. Even with that distinction, Brooks noted, 鈥淒epending on how a student tailors their electives and minor courses of study, they can certainly pursue graduate studies or professional school with the BA degree.鈥�

The BA program also creates a pathway for transfer students to complete the degree in as few as two years, provided they enter with foundational coursework in biology, chemistry, and language study.

Brooks emphasized that the program reflects 海角网鈥檚 strengths and the Chemistry Program鈥檚 Mission Statement: 鈥淲e are dedicated to providing a learning environment where our students receive outstanding instruction and mentoring in chemistry within the context of a Christian liberal arts college.鈥�

He added that students in the program will benefit from an environment designed for individualized attention and close faculty interaction across chemistry programs. 鈥淲e know all of our students by name and we equip them to excel in their coursework,鈥� Brooks said. He highlighted the program鈥檚 strong track record of placing graduates in outstanding graduate programs, professional schools, and careers, and offered, 鈥淲e look forward to expanding that list of achievements for our new major.鈥�

Ultimately, the BA in chemistry is designed to help students discover how their passion for science connects with their broader goals. 鈥淓nrolling in the new BA in chemistry major will allow a student to explore their options in other areas alongside their chemistry courses and find their true calling,鈥� Brooks acknowledged.

海角网 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at .