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
Undergraduate

Anthropology – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Anthropology – MA

Master of Arts

  • On-Campus

The Master of Arts program in anthropology at ECU offers a comprehensive and integrative approach to the study of humanity.


Applied Sociology
Undergraduate

Applied Sociology – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus
  • Online

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
Undergraduate

Biochemistry – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Biology – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Biology – MS

Master of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Biology – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • On-Campus

ECU’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in biology offers students a solid foundation in biology while allowing greater flexibility for interdisciplinary study.


Biomedical Physics
Doctoral

Biomedical Physics – PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Chemistry – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Chemistry – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Chemistry – MS

Master of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Community and Regional Planning – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Criminal Justice – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • Flight Path
  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Criminal Justice – MS

Master of Science

  • Online

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
Undergraduate

Economics – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

English – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • On-Campus

As an English major, you will hone writing, reading, research and critical-thinking skills that will prepare you for career success.


English
Graduate

English – MA

Master of Arts

  • On-Campus
  • Online

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
Undergraduate

Environmental Studies – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Foreign Languages and Literatures – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • On-Campus
  • Online

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
Undergraduate

Geography – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Geography – MS

Master of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Geology – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Geology – MS

Master of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Doctoral

Health Psychology – PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

History – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • On-Campus

The Department of History’s undergraduate program educates students in the experience of the global past.


History
Graduate

History – MA

Master of Arts

  • On-Campus
  • Online

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
Doctoral

Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biology, Biomedicine, and Chemistry – PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

  • On-Campus

The IDPBBC seeks to meet the growing need for professionals and researchers interested in integrative and interdisciplinary life sciences.


Maritime Studies
Graduate

Maritime Studies – MA

Master of Arts

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Mathematics – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Mathematics – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Mathematics – MA

Master of Arts

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Multidisciplinary Studies – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

Are you interested in studying problems through more than one academic area? Multidisciplinary studies may be for you.


Neuroscience
Undergraduate

Neuroscience – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Philosophy – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Physics – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Physics – MS

Master of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Planning and Development – MS

Master of Science

  • Online

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
Undergraduate

Political Science – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Political Science – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Professional Writing and Information Design – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Undergraduate

Psychology – BA

Bachelor of Arts

  • Flight Path
  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Psychology – MA

Master of Arts

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Public Administration – MPA

Master of Public Administration

  • On-Campus
  • Online

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
Graduate

Quantitative Economics and Econometrics – MS

Master of Science

  • On-Campus

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
Doctoral

Rhetoric, Writing and Professional Communication – PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Security Studies – MS

Master of Science

  • On-Campus
  • Online

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
Undergraduate

Security Studies – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • Flight Path
  • On-Campus

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
Graduate

Sociology – MA

Master of Arts

  • On-Campus

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
Specialist

Specialist in School Psychology – SSP

Specialist in School Psychology

  • On-Campus

ECU’s school psychology (MA, SSP) program prepares compassionate, skilled and innovative professionals to step into rewarding careers in public schools.


University Studies
Undergraduate

University Studies – BS

Bachelor of Science

  • On-Campus
  • Online

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.