Belmont Abbey College

Students often speak of getting a college degree, but the "generic" college degree doesn't really exist. Every Abbey graduate receives a degree, either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science, in a specific field of study that they choose to pursue during their time here. All the details on the different major fields offered at the college, from Accounting to Theology, can be found below.

In general, though, majoring in a given field will require the student to earn a minimum of thirty credits in that field; most majors will also require some study of other subjects linked to the major. For example, a social science major like Psychology may require its students to develop an understanding of statistics and the related mathematics that are so important in social science research. (Students may major in two areas at once, for a double major, so long as they satisfy the requirements of both areas.)

Once a student has declared a major, a professor in that area becomes the student's academic advisor. The advisor's role is to guide the student in choosing courses and assembling a program of study that fits with individual interests and the requirements of the major field.

Beyond the accumulation of courses and credits, there will be some kind of final completion exercise for graduating seniors. Some majors prefer comprehensive exams, which allow the student to integrate and assemble the results of their studies, while other majors require a significant project like a senior thesis that demonstrates the student's skills. Students who double major must select one of their two majors as the primary major, and satisfy that major's requirements for a final completion exercise.