Academic Programs General Information

Radford University offers curricula leading to seven undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Business Administration. For information about graduate programs, consult the Radford University Graduate Catalog.

In the Bachelor of Arts degree, emphasis is on work in the academic fields and the study of a foreign language is required. The Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees are offered for work in academic as well as in vocational and professional fields; the study of a foreign language is not required. Courses in professional education may be offered to satisfy a part of the requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree. The Bachelor of Business Administration degree is for students who wish to work in national or multinational businesses or prepare for graduate work in business. (See “Academic Terminology” below for additional information about degrees, majors, minors, concentrations, options, and programs.)

For the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Business Administration degree programs, the minimum requirement for graduation is at least 120 semester hours of passing course work. The Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degree programs place a heavy emphasis on work in the major field. In these two professional degree programs, students may have to take course work in excess of 120 hours; thus, close consultation with the advisor is recommended. (See here  and here .)

In consultation with an advisor from a chosen discipline, undergraduates plan an academic program consisting of REAL Curriculum courses, major courses, and electives. Students should choose their departmental major as soon as possible and not later than the end of the sophomore year.

Academic Terminology

Degree

A degree represents the academic level of a program and the general category into which it falls, e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science. At Radford University, the term Arts in an undergraduate degree generally implies a foreign language requirement. The minimum number of semester hours for a Radford University undergraduate degree is 120.

Major

A major represents a student’s principal field of study; that is, the academic discipline he or she wishes to study intensively, for example, Psychology, Music and Accounting. The range of credits required for an undergraduate major is 30 to 90 semester hours depending upon the field of study.

Program

The term program does not have a unique definition. One use of the term involves a combination of a major and a degree, e.g., Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Occasionally, a program may consist only of a degree and not have a specific major, as in the Bachelor of Social Work. Program may also be used in a more generic sense to modify degree/major combinations, as in Teacher Education Program.

Minor

A minor represents a student’s secondary field of study and is different from the major. This distinguishes the minor from concentrations and options. The range for the number of semester hours in an undergraduate minor is 15 to 24.

Concentration

A concentration is a field of study within a major. Some examples are: Ballet within Dance and Public Relations within Communication. The number of semester hours for a concentration varies, but is always included within the semester hours for the major. This distinguishes concentrations from options, which represent semester hours beyond the major.

Option

An option is a set of related courses and/or experiences that complement the major. The principal example is in education where Elementary, Middle and other options complement the Interdisciplinary Studies major by preparing the student for a specific career path. As noted above, option semester hours are in addition to those for the major.

Courses of Study

Radford combines a traditional liberal arts education with a number of professional programs in seven undergraduate colleges: Davis College of Business and Economics, College of Education and Human Development, College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, Artis College of Science and Technology, School of Nursing, Waldron College of Health and Human Services and College of Visual and Performing Arts. Undergraduate majors, including areas of concentration within each major, are:

Academic Programs

Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems

Degree

• •  Accounting, B.B.A. (R, A, L)
• •  Finance, B.B.A. (R, A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Accounting Certificate
• •  Accounting Minor
• •  Finance Minor
• •  Real Estate and Insurance Minor

Anthropological Sciences

Degree

• •  Anthropological Sciences, B.A. (R, A)
• •  Anthropological Sciences, B.S. (R, A)

Academic Minor

• •  Anthropological Sciences Minor (R, A)
• •  Archaeology and Prehistory Minor (R, A)
• •  Culture Studies Minor (E, A)
• •  Science Communication Minor (R, E)

Appalachian Studies

Academic Minor

• •  Appalachian Studies Minor (A)

Art

Degree

• •  Art, B.A. (E, A, L)
• •  Art, B.F.A. (E, A, L)
• •  Art, B.S. (E, A)

Academic Minor

• •  Art History Minor (A)
• •  General Art Minor
• •  Graphic Design Minor
• •  Museum Studies Minor (L)
• •  Photography Minor

Biology

Degree

• •  Biology, B.S. (R, L) - Radford Site and Radford University Carilion Site
• •  Biomedical Sciences, B.S. (R, L) - Radford Site and Radford University Carilion Site

Academic Minor

• •  Biology - Applications in Scientific Reasoning Minor (R, L)
• •  Biology - Applied Learning Minor (L)
• •  Biology - General Minor
• •  Biology - Scientific Reasoning Minor (R)

Biomedical Sciences - Radford Site and Radford University Carilion Site

Chemistry

Degree

• •  Chemistry, B.S. (R, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Chemistry Minor (R)

College of Nursing - Radford and Radford University Carilion & Roanoke Higher Education Center locations

Degree

• •  Nursing, B.S.N. (L) or (R, A, L)*

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Degree

• •  Communication Sciences and Disorders, B.A. (R, L)
• •  Communication Sciences and Disorders, B.S. (R, L)

Counseling and Human Development

Criminal Justice

Degree

• •  Criminal Justice, B.A. (A, L)
• •  Criminal Justice, B.S. (A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Conservation Law Enforcement Minor (A)
• •  Crime Analysis and Criminal Intelligence Minor (R)
• •  Criminal Justice Minor (L)

Dance

Degree

• •  Dance, B.A. (E, L)
• •  Dance, B.F.A. (E, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Dance Minor (E, L)

Design

Degree

• •  Design, B.F.A. (E, A, L)
• •  Design, B.S. (E, A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Design Appreciation Minor
• •  Design Studies in Applied Design and Culture Minor (A, L)
• •  Design Studies in Applied Design and Expression Minor (E, L)
• •  Design Studies in Culture Minor (A)
• •  Design Studies in Design Expression and Culture Minor (E, A)
• •  Design Studies in Expression Minor (E)
• •  Design Studies in Professional Practice Minor (L)

Economics

Degree

• •  Economics, B.B.A. (R, A, L)
• •  Economics, B.S. (R, A)

Academic Minor

• •  Economic Forecasting Minor (R)
• •  Economics Minor (A)

Emergency Services - Radford University Carilion Site

Degree

• •  Emergency Services, B.S. (R, E, A) or (E, A, L)* - Radford University Carilion Site

Academic Minor

• •  Emergency Services Minor (R, L)

English

Degree

• •  English, B.A. (E, A)
• •  English, B.S. (E, A)

Academic Minor

• •  Creative Writing Minor (E)
• •  English Minor (E, A)
• •  Health Humanities Minor (E)
• •  Literature and Cultural Analysis Minor (A)
• •  Literature and Expression Minor (E)
• •  Professional Writing Minor (E)

Foreign Languages and Literatures

Degree

• •  Foreign Languages, B.A.
• •  Foreign Languages, B.S.

Academic Minor

• •  Classical Humanities Minor
• •  Foreign Languages Minor
• •  German Studies Minor (E, L)
• •  Hispanic Studies Minor (E)
• •  Intercultural Studies Minor
• •  Spanish Minor (E, L)

Forensic Science Institute (RUFSI)

Academic Minor

• •  Forensic Science Minor (R)

Geology

Degree

• •  Geology B.A. (R, L)
• •  Geology B.S. (R) or (R, L)*

Academic Minor

• •  Geology Minor (R)
• •  Global Environmental Change Minor (R)
• •  Planetary Science Minor (R)
• •  Unmanned Aerial Systems Minor (L)

Geospatial Science

Degree

• •  Geospatial Science, B.A. (R, L)
• •  Geospatial Science, B.S. (R, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Environmental Studies Minor (R)
• •  Geospatial Intelligence Certificate
• •  Geospatial Science Minor
• •  GIS, Remote Sensing, and Data Analytics Minor (L)
• •  GIS, Remote Sensing, and Visualization Minor (E)
• •  Global Perspectives Minor (A)
• •  Sustainability and Environmental Studies Undergraduate Certificate

Health and Human Performance

Degree

• •  Exercise, Sport and Health Education, B.S. (A, L) or (R, L)*
• •  Nutrition and Dietetics, B.S. (A, L)
• •  Sport Management, B.S. (A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Coaching Sport Minor (A, L)
• •  Exercise and Sport Science Minor
• •  Sport Management Minor (A)

Other Programs

• •  Allied Health Sciences, B.S. (L)

Health Sciences - Radford University Carilion Site

Degree

• •  Health Sciences, B.S. (R, A, L)* - Radford University Carilion Site

Healthcare Administration - Radford University Carilion Site

Degree

• •  Healthcare Administration, B.S. (R, A, L) - Radford University Carilion Site

Academic Minor

• •  Healthcare Organizational Management Minor

History

Degree

• •  History, B.A. (E, A)
• •  History, B.S. (E, A)

Academic Minor

• •  Applied History Minor (L)
• •  History Minor (E, A)

Interdisciplinary Minors

Academic Minor

• •  Cinema and Screen Studies Interdisciplinary Minor (A)
• •  Forensic Studies Interdisciplinary Minor (R, L)
• •  Women’s and Gender Studies Minor (A)

Interdisciplinary Studies

Degree

• •  Interdisciplinary Studies - Liberal Arts, B.A.
• •  Interdisciplinary Studies - Liberal Arts, B.S.

Management

Degree

• •  Management, B.B.A. (R, A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Data Analytics for Non-Business Majors (R)
• •  Entrepreneurship Minor (L)
• •  Human Resources Management Minor - BBA Majors
• •  Human Resources Minor – Non-BBA Majors (A, L)
• •  Management Minor - BBA Majors
• •  Management Minor - Non-BBA Majors (A, L)

Marketing

Degree

• •  Marketing, B.B.A. (R, A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Marketing Minor (A, L)

Mathematics and Statistics

Degree

• •  Mathematics, B.A.(R) or (R, L)*
• •  Mathematics, B.S. (R) or (R, L)*

Academic Minor

• •  Geometric Expression Minor (R, E)
• •  Mathematics and Science for Professional Educators Minor (R)
• •  Mathematics Minor (R)
• •  Statistics Minor (R)

Medical Laboratory Science - Radford Site and Radford University Carilion Site

Degree

• •  Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. (R, L) - Radford Site and Radford University Carilion Site

Academic Minor

• •  Medical Laboratory Science Certificate - Radford University Carilion Site

Military Science (ROTC)

Academic Minor

• •  Leadership and Military Science Minor (L)

Music

Degree

• •  Music, B.A. (E, L)
• •  Music, B.M. (R, E, A)
• •  Music, B.S. (E, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Music Industry Minor (E, L)
• •  Music Performance Minor (E, L)
• •  Music Production Minor (E)

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Degree

• •  Philosophy and Religious Studies, B.A. (E, A)
• •  Philosophy and Religious Studies, B.S. (E, A)

Academic Minor

• •  Ethics Minor (E)
• •  Philosophy Minor (E)
• •  Religious Diversity for Care Professions (E)
• •  Science and Values Minor (R, E)
• •  World Religious Diversity Minor (E)

Physics

Degree

• •  Physics, B.S. (R, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Astronomy Minor (R)
• •  Physics Minor (R)

Political Science

Degree

• •  Political Science, B.A. (A, L)
• •  Political Science, B.S. (A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  International Studies Minor (E, A)
• •  Leadership Minor (E, L)
• •  Legal Studies Minor (E)
• •  Political Science Minor (A)
• •  Wicked Problems Minor (E, L)

Psychology

Degree

• •  Psychology, B.A. (R, A)
• •  Psychology, B.S. (R, A)

Academic Minor

• •  Psychology Minor

Public Health - Radford University Carilion Site

Degree

• •  Public Health, B.S. (R, A, L) - Radford University Carilion Site

Academic Minor

• •  Public Health Minor (A)

Recreation, Parks and Tourism

Degree

• •  Recreation, Parks and Tourism, B.A. (A, L) or (R, A, L)*
• •  Recreation, Parks and Tourism, B.S. (A, L) or (R, A, L)*

Academic Minor

• •  Esports Services Minor (L)
• •  Outdoor Recreation & Leadership Minor
• •  Recreation, Parks and Tourism Minor (A)
• •  Tourism and Special Events Minor (A, L)

Respiratory Therapy - Radford University Carilion Site

Degree

• •  Respiratory Therapy, B.S. (R) or (R, A, L)* - Radford University Carilion Site

School of Communication

Degree

• •  Communication, B.A. (E, A) or (E, L)*
• •  Communication, B.S. (E, A) or (E, L)*
• •  Media Studies, B.A. (L) or (E, L)*
• •  Media Studies, B.S. (L) and (E, L)*

Academic Minor

• •  Communication Minor
• •  Media Studies Minor
• •  Public Relations Minor (E, L)

School of Computing and Information Sciences

Degree

• •  Computer Science, B.S. (R, L)
• •  Cybersecurity Certificate
• •  Cybersecurity, B.S. (R, L)
• •  Information Science and Systems, B.S. (R, A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Computer Science Minor (R)
• •  Information Security Certificate
• •  Information Systems Minor (L)

School of Social Work

Degree

• •  Social Work, B.S.W. (A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Interdisciplinary Minor in Health and Aging (E, A)
• •  Social Justice Minor (E, A)

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Degree

• •  American Sign Language Minor
• •  Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.*

Academic Minor

• •  Education Minor (A, L)
• •  Special Education Minor (A)

Social Science

Degree

• •  Social Science, B.A. (E, A)
• •  Social Science, B.S. (E, A)

Sociology

Degree

• •  Sociology, B.A. (R, A, L)
• •  Sociology, B.S. (R, A, L)

Academic Minor

• •  African American Studies Minor (E)
• •  Sociology Minor (A)

Theatre and Cinema

Degree

• •  Theatre, B.A. (E, L)
• •  Theatre, B.S. (E, L)

Academic Minor

• •  Theatre Minor
• •  Theatre Performance Minor (E)
• •  Theatre Production Minor (L)

Off-Campus Courses and Degree Programs

For information about Radford University courses or Radford University degree programs based in Roanoke, contact Eulah Price, RU/Roanoke Site Partnership Coordinator, at eprice@radford.edu.

Off-Campus Graduate Degree Programs

For more information about graduate degree programs in Roanoke and other locations, contact the College of Graduate and Professional Studies at (540) 831-5431; toll-free from Roanoke 857-8920, ext. 5431; or e-mail gradcollege@ radford.edu.

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center – Abingdon

Radford University is a partner in the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center located in Abingdon, Virginia. At the present time, qualified students in Southwest Virginia may apply for admission to graduate programs in Educational Leadership, Counselor Education, and Math Education.

Additional information about these programs is available by contacting each department as follows:

M.S. Counselor Education
(540) 831-6265

M.S. Educational Leadership
(540) 831-5302

M.S. Education Concentration
Math Education
(540) 831-5470

For general information about these programs and services, contact the university’s office located at the center: (276) 619-4314; or e-mail rblanken@radford.edu.

The Roanoke Higher Education Center

Radford University offers a range of graduate programs and other academic services in the Roanoke Higher Education Center. Currently, graduate programs are scheduled in the center in Criminal Justice, Business Administration (MBA), Educational Leadership, Special Education, and Math Education. For more information about each of these programs, contact:

M.S. in Criminal Justice
(540) 831-6339

MBA
(540) 831-6905

M.S. in Educational Leadership
(540) 831-5302

M.S. in Special Education
(540) 831-6425

M.S. Education Concentration in Math Education
(540) 831-5470

For general information about these programs and services, contact the university’s office located at the center: (540) 767-6190; or e-mail eprice@radford.edu.

Professional Programs

Pre-Law Program

Radford University provides a program of pre-law advising for students interested in attending law school. Ordinarily, students must have completed a full four years leading to a bachelor’s degree before being admitted to law school.

In keeping with the Statement on Prelegal Education of the Association of American Law Schools, Radford University does not require specific courses and extracurricular activities for students planning to attend law school. Rather, Radford’s program of pre-law advising enables students to plan an appropriate undergraduate schedule to develop the basic skills and insights necessary for legal education.

Students considering a career in law should attend the information sessions for pre-law students, which are held each spring and fall. After attending a pre-law information session, students may consult the campus pre-law advisor Dr. Jack Call for additional advice or information. Students should attend the pre-law information session early in their academic careers, preferably during their freshman year, for help in planning an appropriate undergraduate schedule.

Premedical and Predental Programs

Most students who plan to attend medical school or dental school following graduation from Radford University major in either chemistry or biology. Other majors can be chosen, however, depending on student interests.

Medical and dental schools have as minimum requirements at least one year of biology, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of biochemistry, one year of physics and one year of calculus or other college math as specified by each school.

Premedical and predental students should plan to take the Medical College Admissions Test or the Dental Aptitude Test during the junior year. Dr. Mark Cline in the Biology department serves as pre-health advising committee chair.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Bachelor of Science Degree

Bachelor of Business Administration Degree

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

Bachelor of Music Degree