Accounting

Most people think an “accountant” and a “CPA” are the same thing. Not in the business world! That’s why our accounting program is designed to prepare you for the most important test you will ever take — the Uniform Certified Public Accountant examination.

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Art

Art is more than a four-year program of study at Briar Cliff. It’s the beginning of a lifetime of experiences, growth, ideas and expression. Study painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics or any other traditional or non-traditional technique or form.

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Behavior Analysis

Are you a kind and patient person, who loves working with children and adults — particularly those with special needs? If so, majoring in behavior analysis might be the right choice for you.

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Biochemistry

How does life work? Biochemistry helps us find the answer, which means it applies to medicine, dentistry, veterinary studies — and pretty much anything else that has to do with nature or science!

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Biology

Equip yourself with the skills necessary for graduate school in the health sciences or other biology related field. Gain hands-on experience inside state-of-the-art laboratories unparalleled by any institution our size, including one of the region′s only educational cadaver labs.

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Business Administration

Learn from veteran faculty, land engaging internships — even launch your own business with help from the Roth Center for Entrepreneurship. Also, join award-winning student organizations, including an ENACTUS team that takes “suiting up” to a whole new level!

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Chemistry

Explore the fascinating world of chemistry inside revamped, state-of-the-art chemistry laboratories and with professors who know you by name (not a number). You’ll be able to tailor your chemistry degree to fit your career goals.

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Chiropractic Medicine

Prepare for chiropractic school with real, hands-on experience. Study inside one of the region’s only educational cadaver labs, or work with some of the most state-of-the-art biology equipment any undergraduate school has to offer.

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Computer Science

Gain a solid background in the fundamental concepts of computer science, skills that translate into an immediate job in our technology driven world! Research what interests you most — from website development to network security to video game production.

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Criminology and Criminal Justice

Majoring in criminology and criminal justice provides a great base for you to become a lawyer, police officer, counselor, or just about anything else related to our country’s legal system!

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Dentistry

Prepare for dental school with real, hands-on experience. Study inside one of the region’s only educational cadaver labs, or work with some of the most state-of-the-art biology equipment and chemistry laboratories that any undergraduate school our size has to offer.

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Elementary Education

Prepare to teach kindergarten through sixth grade by majoring in elementary education, in a program that is fully approved by the Iowa Department of Education.

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English

What can you do with an English degree? Perhaps a better question is, what can't you do? Prepare for graduate school or a career as an author, screenwriter, entrepreneur, lawyer, politician, journalist, teacher — there are no limits!

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Environmental Science

Commit to solving challenges like pollution, habitat destruction and loss of biological diversity. You’ll also explore the Sioux City Prairie, the nation’s largest urban tall grass prairie, sitting in BCU’s own backyard!

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Graphic Design

Graphic design is everywhere: Billboards and signs on buildings. Ads in a magazine. Invitations to a wedding. Even the web you’re surfing right now!

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History

Exploring history at Briar Cliff is an adventure; one that will make you stand out in the career you decide to pursue: as a lawyer, writer, librarian, teacher, businessperson — or even as a politician. Along the way, uncover and discover things you never knew about humankind — and yourself!

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Journalism and Mass Communication

Do you love to tell a story? Are you a thrill seeker with a creative streak, a good grasp of writing and the ability to handle deadline pressure? Majoring in journalism and mass communication might be right for you.

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Kinesiology and Human Performance

Do you love playing sports, working out, eating right and staying fit? majoring in kinesiology and human performance might be for you.

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Marketing

Have you ever wondered what makes some brands stronger than others? Major in marketing at Briar Cliff, and learn how to become the brains behind those brands!

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Mathematics

Math classes at BCU are small in size, so professors will know you by name — not a number (you have enough numbers to worry about!). You’ll delve into challenging mathematics, physics and computer science coursework with the latest in computing technology at your fingertips.

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Medical Laboratory Science

This major is basically two programs in one: a liberal arts degree through BCU, plus a year of clinical coursework and a certificate through an approved medical laboratory science program.

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Music

The music major focuses on voice, piano and choral conducting. Develop as a musician, then learn how to apply your talent toward success in the real world!

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Basic Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the most desired credential in health care today. Get yours from Briar Cliff, where we’ve been preparing some of the region’s most committed nurses for generations!

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Occupational/Physical Therapy

Prepare for P.T. or O.T. school with real, hands-on experience — and even gain an inside track to Briar Cliff’s own Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)* program.

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Pharmaceutical Studies

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Pre-Law

You don’t usually need to follow a specific curriculum to get into law school — but you’ll definitely need a well-rounded undergraduate degree. Briar Cliff has it!

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Pre-Medical Studies

Prepare for med school with real, hands-on experience. Study inside one of the region’s only educational cadaver labs, or work with some of the most state-of-the-art biology and chemistry equipment that any school our size has to offer.

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Psychology

Psychologists are committed to helping people and solving real-world problems, and they do it just about anywhere: in schools, hospitals, the military, non-profit organizations — even athletic teams!

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Radiologic Technology

If you’ve ever broken a bone, you’ve probably met an x-ray technician. And chances are, that x-ray technician majored in radiologic technology! Our program is a partnership with St. Luke’s College in Sioux City.

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Secondary Education

Teach your passion! As a secondary education major (grades 7-12), you are essentially a double major in education and whichever academic discipline you decide to pursue.

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Social Work

Our program, which has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974, will help you develop the skills to carry out what the profession is all about: helping people.

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Sociology

Why do humans behave the way we do? Sociology helps find the answer, by turning data and statistics into useful information that can help make the world a better place.

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Spanish

The Spanish major at Briar Cliff goes beyond just speaking, writing and reading fluently. It involves gaining a deeper understanding of Spanish language, literature and culture as a whole.

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Special Education

Do you enjoy working one-on-one with kids? Do you like the idea of helping children or youth with special needs? If so, then getting a special education endorsement might be right for you!

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Sports Management

Major in sports management at Briar Cliff, and become an expert in sports promotion, sales, facilities and the other fundamental concepts that revolve around running an athletic organization.

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Theology

At Briar Cliff, theology majors do some serious soul-searching and confronting of issues that effect us all — like poverty, equality and care for the environment — through the lens of our Roman Catholic and Franciscan heritage.

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Veterinary Studies

Prepare for veterinary school by exploring and performing research on the nation′s largest urban tallgrass prairie, located in our own backyard. Gain hands-on experience inside one of the region′s only educational cadaver labs, or work with some of the most state-of-the-art biology equipment that any undergraduate school our size has to offer.

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Writing

Learn from teacher/mentors — real, working writers — in the classroom and beyond. You’ll also have the chance to get involved in the editing and publishing of our national award-winning literary magazine, The Briar Cliff Review.

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Accounting

The minor in accounting is designed to develop a level of basic accounting competence necessary for careers including business administration, human resource management or marketing.

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Art

The minor in Art will provide valuable skills for a variety of fields, including graphic design, marketing, architecture and teaching.

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Art History

Develop your intellectual abilities and technical skills, along with an appreciation of the major events that shaped art as we know it today.

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Biology

The minor in biology is designed to develop students’ comprehension of the scientific method and the application of this method to investigations in biology.

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Business Administration

The minor in business administration is designed to develop competency in management, marketing, finance, accounting and economics.

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Chemistry

A minor in chemistry will instill knowledge valuable to a variety of fields, including pharmaceutical, health care, dentistry, ecology, and teaching.

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Computer Science

The computer science minor is designed to develop students’ comprehension of basic problem solving using a computer.

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Criminal Justice

The minor in criminal justice is designed to develop basic comprehension of crime, law enforcement, adjudication and corrections in our society.

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English

The English minor helps prepare students for careers in business, law, education, public service and information services, among hundreds of other fields that involve the written word.

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Environmental Science

The minor in environmental science is designed to develop a student’s respect for and stewardship of the natural world.

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Gerontology

This minor prepares students in any discipline to work in a rapidly changing population.

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Graphic Design

A minor in graphic design is designed to develop skills for students pursuing careers in print, television, website production, public relations, photography, advertising and marketing, among dozens of others.

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History

The minor in history will develop necessary skills in a variety of fields, including education, law, government, social work, business and media, among hundreds of others.

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Journalism and Mass Communication

The journalism and mass communication minor is designed to teach students basic skills that apply to the converging media industry, including radio, television, print, public relations, photography, advertising, graphic design and social media.

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Legal Studies

The program in legal studies is designed to prepare students in any major for success in law school.

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Management Information Systems

The management information systems minor is designed to teach basic skills in the area of business, computer science and efficient handling of data.

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Mathematics

A minor in mathematics is designed to develop skills in logical reasoning, problem solving, data analysis and the communication of ideas.

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Music

The minor in music is designed to develop basic musicianship. These skills can be applied in a number of career fields, including education, performing arts, ministry, marketing and media production, among others.

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Philosophy

Philosophy is among the oldest of all fields of study and deals with eternal issues such as the meaning of existence, moral and aesthetic values, the nature of reality and the existence of God.

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Physical Education

Students enrolled in Briar Cliff’s education program will qualify for a K-6/7-12 physical education teaching endorsement should they select this minor.

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Psychology

The Psychology minor is designed to develop basic understanding of behavioral and mental processes, which is helpful in a variety of career fields, including business administration, health care, research, education and graduate-level study, among others.

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Recreation and Leisure

The minor in recreation and leisure is designed to teach students the various skills, roles and functions of sports managers. The minor will develop skills necessary for a variety of fields, including sports management, athletic training, refereeing, journalism and education, among others.

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Social Media

Combine the social media savvy you already have with a blend of graphic design, marketing, writing and public relations skills — and become a powerful, modern day storyteller every company craves!

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Social Research

This minor prepares interested students to participate actively and responsibly as researchers in their local communities, for business and governmental agencies, and for national and international organizations.

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Sociology

The sociology minor is designed to develop basic comprehension of the social lives of individuals, groups, culture and major social institutions.

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Spanish

The Spanish minor is designed to develop basic listening, speaking, writing and reading skills in the Spanish language.

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Theology

If you wish to include a broad exposure to basic Christian teachings in your liberal arts education, you may elect to minor in theology.

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Writing

The writing minor is designed to develop basic skills in creating, shaping, communicating and translating knowledge through the written word — valuable skills in every career a student wishes to pursue.

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