Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences is multidisciplinary by nature and interdisciplinary by design. We are a community of scholars dedicated to providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and sciences. We do so through thought-provoking classes taught by experts in their fields, as well as engaging, high-impact practices outside of the classroom, including research, leadership, outreach and study abroad experiences.
Harriot College’s 15 departments and more than 40 degree programs allow you to be creative in course selection and sequencing, customizing much of your time at ECU. This includes adding double majors, minors or certificates to your plans. We help you discover your passions and achieve your goals.
Our graduates are equipped to address complex challenges, contribute meaningfully to their communities, excel in careers where they can make a major difference and lead fulfilling lives.
Degrees offered by the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Anthropology – BA
Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) program in anthropology offers students the opportunity to start professionalizing into archaeology, biological anthropology, and/or cultural anthropology in an engaging and supportive environment with access to hands-on learning.
Anthropology – MA
Master of Arts
The Master of Arts program in anthropology at ECU offers a comprehensive and integrative approach to the study of humanity.
Applied Sociology – BS
Bachelor of Science
The BS degree in applied sociology combines marketable social science research skills with expertise in how society and communities work and the influence of social arrangements on people’s experiences, behaviors and beliefs.
Biochemistry – BS
Bachelor of Science
The BS degree in biochemistry comprises chemistry and biology studies. Our program prepares students for careers in health care and pharmaceuticals, or advanced study in science and medicine.
Biology – BS
Bachelor of Science
At ECU, students pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BS) in biology can choose concentrations in ecology and evolution, general biology, or molecular and cellular biology.
Biology – MS
Master of Science
ECU’s Master of Science (MS) in biology is a 30-semester-hour program that develops highly marketable skills in communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and integrating information from multiple sources.
Biology – BA
Bachelor of Arts
ECU’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in biology offers students a solid foundation in biology while allowing greater flexibility for interdisciplinary study.
Biomedical Physics – PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in biomedical physics and help solve biological and medical problems while advancing our understanding of fundamental biomedical processes.
Chemistry – BA
Bachelor of Arts
The BA in chemistry provides excellent grounding in chemistry principles with hands-on laboratory experiences. Designed to prepare students for science careers or professional fields like medicine and forensics, the flexible program allows for the exploration of other interests.
Chemistry – BS
Bachelor of Science
The BS in chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society, providing in-depth coverage of all areas of chemistry and preparing students for competitive careers or advanced study in science or medicine.
Chemistry – MS
Master of Science
The Master of Science (MS) in chemistry offers research-focused training that equips students with the analytical skills and scientific expertise needed for success in industrial, academic or professional settings.
Community and Regional Planning – BS
Bachelor of Science
Shape the future of cities, towns and communities with a BS in community and regional planning - preparing you to improve quality of life, sustainability and community well-being.
Criminal Justice – BS
Bachelor of Science
Designed for traditional and working students, ECU’s BS in criminal justice offers on-campus and online pathways, real-world experience, and an accelerated BS/MS to prepare you for leadership across the criminal-legal system.
Criminal Justice – MS
Master of Science
ECU's MS in criminal justice - North Carolina’s #1 program - builds research, leadership and applied skills through expert faculty and flexible, 100% asynchronous online courses designed for working professionals.
Economics – BS
Bachelor of Science
Studying economics facilitates better decision-making through powerful concepts and principles that illuminate how incentives shape human behavior and rigorous methods for testing the implications with empirical data.
English – BA
Bachelor of Arts
As an English major, you will hone writing, reading, research and critical-thinking skills that will prepare you for career success.
English – MA
Master of Arts
Are you interested in literary and film analysis, cultural studies, creative writing, linguistics and TESOL, or the study of rhetoric and professional writing? Are you interested in teaching English, sharpening your creative and critical thinking skills, or improving your own writing?
Environmental Studies – BS
Bachelor of Science
Are you looking for a degree that prepares you for careers in conservation, environmental management, and sustainability while gaining hands-on research experience tackling the world’s most pressing environmental challenges?
Foreign Languages and Literatures – BA
Bachelor of Arts
Studying another language and culture gives you a competitive advantage when applying for jobs, postgraduate study or medical school. You also gain new cultural perspectives while developing your ability to think critically and communicate effectively.
Geography – BS
Bachelor of Science
Explore the essential connections between people, places and the environment. ECU’s Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in geography combines geospatial tools and hands-on skills to tackle today’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.
Geography – MS
Master of Science
Advance your career and expand your impact. ECU’s MS in geography equips you with the research training, practical skills, and geospatial perspective to shape solutions to environmental and social challenges.
Geology – BS
Bachelor of Science
Explore the science of our planet. ECU’s BS in geology will give you the critical skills and field training to understand the effects of Earth processes on people and society.
Geology – MS
Master of Science
With a graduate degree in geology, you can have it all: Better understand the natural world around you, help society develop sustainably, and advance your career.
Health Psychology – PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Are you interested in clinical or school psychology? Want to become a psychologist who understands health and illness? Through our program, you are trained as both a scientist and a practitioner.
History – BA
Bachelor of Arts
The Department of History’s undergraduate program educates students in the experience of the global past.
History – MA
Master of Arts
The Department of History offers a 30/36-semester-hour master’s degree in history with concentrations in American, European, military and public history. Degree options are online and traditional face-to-face.
Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biology, Biomedicine, and Chemistry – PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
The IDPBBC seeks to meet the growing need for professionals and researchers interested in integrative and interdisciplinary life sciences.
Maritime Studies – MA
Master of Arts
The program in maritime studies is a world-renowned interdisciplinary program combining maritime archaeology and maritime history that trains students to work in public, private, state, federal and nonprofit sectors.
Mathematics – BA
Bachelor of Arts
The BA degree in mathematics develops strong analytical, problem-solving and quantitative skills, preparing students for careers in technology, finance, research or graduate study across diverse fields.
Mathematics – BS
Bachelor of Science
The BS degree in mathematics develops strong analytical, problem-solving and quantitative skills, preparing students for careers in technology, finance, research or graduate study across diverse fields.
Mathematics – MA
Master of Arts
The MA program in mathematics provides a rigorous study of mathematics and/or statistics, preparing students for careers in industry, community college teaching, or advanced academic pursuits in various fields.
Multidisciplinary Studies – BS
Bachelor of Science
Are you interested in studying problems through more than one academic area? Multidisciplinary studies may be for you.
Neuroscience – BS
Bachelor of Science
The neuroscience major at ECU offers students an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the brain-behavior relationship through coursework in STEM and non-STEM disciplines, ultimately to gain a better understanding of the most complex organ in the universe - the brain.
Philosophy – BA
Bachelor of Arts
A BA degree in philosophy will give you the skills to understand the world better, help you think, challenge assumptions, discuss age-old conundrums and think outside the box.
Physics – BS
Bachelor of Science
The BS degree in physics helps students on their path toward the MS degree and equips them to think critically and become competitive in a science-based economy.
Physics – MS
Master of Science
The MS degree in physics allows students to combine physical, biological and medical sciences, with three concentrations to choose from, and perform state-of-the-art research.
Planning and Development – MS
Master of Science
Advance your career or transition into planning with our online MS in planning and development — designed for professionals seeking to shape communities, address societal challenges, and meet growing workforce demand.
Political Science – BA
Bachelor of Arts
The BA in political science allows you to work with dynamic teachers to learn about the world and develop skills to research, analyze and solve issues impacting our everyday lives.
Political Science – BS
Bachelor of Science
The BS in political science allows you to work with dynamic teachers to learn about the world and develop skills to research, analyze and solve issues impacting our everyday lives.
Professional Writing and Information Design – BS
Bachelor of Science
ECU is the region’s premier destination for studying professional writing and information design, offering the only fully online program of its kind and pairing accessibility with exceptional academic quality.
Psychology – BA
Bachelor of Arts
The psychology BA at East Carolina University provides a broad foundation in behavioral sciences, emphasizing research and analytical skills to prepare students for diverse careers in psychology and related fields.
Psychology – MA
Master of Arts
The MA degree in psychology prepares students for jobs in the public and private sectors in areas of administration, human resources, and organizational development for national and international companies.
Public Administration – MPA
Master of Public Administration
The MPA degree provides students with concepts and skills necessary to be successful in administrative careers in the public sector, including legislative, executive and judicial agencies, and not-for-profit organizations.
Quantitative Economics and Econometrics – MS
Master of Science
The big-data revolution has generated an explosion in the demand for quantitative skills. The MS program in quantitative economics and econometrics prepares students to supply those skills.
Rhetoric, Writing and Professional Communication – PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Are you interested in a PhD program that combines the study of rhetoric, writing, and professional communication? Are you interested in studying writing and communication practices in community or public contexts?
Security Studies – MS
Master of Science
If you are interested in homeland or international security and looking forward to an exciting career making the world safer, this is the degree for you.
Security Studies – BS
Bachelor of Science
If you are interested in homeland or international security and looking forward to an exciting career making the world safer, this is the degree for you.
Sociology – MA
Master of Arts
The sociology MA program provides hands-on training in data analysis, develops expertise in complex systems of human behaviors, and teaches how to interpret, communicate and apply research findings.
Specialist in School Psychology – SSP
Specialist in School Psychology
ECU’s school psychology (MA, SSP) program prepares compassionate, skilled and innovative professionals to step into rewarding careers in public schools.
University Studies – BS
Bachelor of Science
The BS in university studies offers a flexible, customizable degree — online or on campus —allowing students to apply prior credits and design a path aligned with personal and professional goals.