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Your education at Briar Cliff will involve many things, but at the heart of it all is a rewarding academic experience that will influence more than your résumé — it will shape your character. Small classes. Caring faculty. Hands-on experience. Service learning. These are the hallmarks of a degree from Briar Cliff University:
Undergraduate Majors & Preprofessional Programs
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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.
Learn MoreBehavior 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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Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
Your success in business starts with a degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Start your own business, join an established company or become an influencer in the small business marketplace.
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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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Exercise Physiology
The Bachelors of Science in Exercise Physiology (formerly B.S. Kinesiology and Human Performance) explores the physiological basis of the acute response and chronic adaptation to a wide variety of stressors – well beyond “just” exercise!
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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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Human Performance
The Bachelors of Science in Human Performance (formerly B.S. Kinesiology and Human Performance) delves into the relations of health and fitness.
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International Business
Explore a world of opportunities (literally) with a degree in international business. Taught by instructors with extensive experience in global business operations, you will see business through an international lens.
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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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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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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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Nursing (Pre-Licensure BSN)
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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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.
Learn MoreVeterinary 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.
Learn More- Section Navigation
- ACADEMICS AT BRIAR CLIFF
- Degrees & Programs
- Academic Departments
- Learning Communities
- Travel & Study Abroad
- Professional Workshops
- Honors Program
- Academic Support
- ACADEMIC RESOURCES
- Graduation & Commencement
- Academic Calendar
- Academic Catalog
- Course Schedule
- Registrar
- HELPFUL LINKS
- Order Books Online
- Online Degree Completion Programs