Majors and Minors
From economics and literature to physical sciences and fine arts, you can choose from 27 majors and 26 minors toward a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree—that's 50+ majors, minors, and special programs to help you find your passions, gifts, and purpose.
What would you like to study?
Major
Students may choose one of three majors in the discipline of mathematics: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Mathematical Computer Science.
Minor
The Asian Studies minor is an exploration in the departments of Modern Languages, History, Fine Arts, Government and Foreign Affairs, and Religion.
Minor
Astronomy students have access to an astronomical observatory housing a research-grade, computerized reflecting telescope and new state-of-the-art science facilities.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Major
Offering a unique curriculum that stresses the development of independent research skills, the program offers laboratory courses that make possible a unique, four-year integrated laboratory experience.
Major, Minor
The biology program provides students with extensive training and is specifically designed to prepare students for careers and graduate education in the biological sciences.
Major, Minor
Home to a unique curriculum that stresses the development of independent research skills, chemistry offers laboratory courses that make possible a unique, four-year integrated laboratory experience.
Major, Minor
The classics department offers a wide field of study in the languages, literature, history, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.
Minor
A Creative Writing minor will specialize in either poetry or fiction by taking both workshops in that genre and a literature course that focuses on the genre of choice.
Major
The distinct specialties that potentially emerge from a base of economic knowledge require us to offer three economics majors: Economics and Business, (General) Economics, and Mathematical Economics.
Major
The distinct specialties that potentially emerge from a base of economic knowledge require us to offer three economics majors: Economics and Business, (General) Economics, and Mathematical Economics.
Major
Physics students have the opportunity to prepare for a career in engineering with a major in engineering physics.
Major
The English department offers a rich curriculum in British, American, and world literatures, creative writing, cinema, and literary theory.
Minor
The Environmental Studies minor allows students to follow, in addition to their regular academic major, a coherent pattern of courses oriented to understanding and responding to environmental challenges.
Major
Students may major in either Government or Foreign Affairs by studying contemporary political problems grounded in the history of political thought.
Major, Minor
Study in the Modern Languages department encourages immersion in the languages and offers a variety of opportunities for study-abroad experiences.
Major, Minor
Study in the Modern Languages department encourages immersion in the languages and offers a variety of opportunities for study-abroad experiences.
Major
Students may major in either Government or Foreign Affairs by studying contemporary political problems grounded in the history of political thought.
Major, Minor
The classics department offers a wide field of study in the languages, literature, history, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.
Major
The classics department offers a wide field of study in the languages, literature, history, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.
Major, Minor
The History department offers a variety of courses in African-American, American, Asian, European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern studies toward a major or minor in History.
Major, Minor
The classics department offers a wide field of study in the languages, literature, history, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.
Minor
The minor in Latin American Studies consists of eighteen hours of study across disciplines and successful completion of an advanced level course in Spanish
Minor
The department of Government and Foreign Affairs department offers a minor in legal studies as an excellent foundation for positions in local, state, or federal government.
Leadership in the Public Interest
Minor
The Leadership in the Public Interest minor is interdisciplinary and designed to provide opportunities to study leaders and leadership concepts that are applicable to leadership, citizenship, and ethical decision making.
Major
The distinct specialties that potentially emerge from a base of economic knowledge require us to offer three economics majors: Economics and Business, (General) Economics, and Mathematical Economics.
Major, Minor
The Mathematics department offers several majors and minors to meet individual talents and interests including applied mathematics and computer science.
Major
Students may choose one of three majors in the discipline of mathematics: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Mathematical Computer Science.
Minor
Music program offerings start at a basic level and work up to advanced courses in theory, composition, and performance.
Minor
The National Security Studies minor is an interdisciplinary minor designed for students who are interested in the historical, political, cultural, ethical, and legal dimensions of national security policy.
Minor
The neuroscience minor, comprised of coursework in biology and psychology, offers a sophisticated neuroscience and experimental research laboratory and the unique opportunity to pursue independent study and research.
Major
Philosophy involves careful, critical reflection on topics and questions that relate to contemporary individual, social, moral, scientific, religious, and political issues.
Major, Minor
Physics students can specialize in astronomy, astrophysics, superconductivity, physical acoustics, condensed matter, nuclear physics, digital electronics, and computational physics.
Major
The psychology major emphasizes the scientific approach to the study of human and animal behavior through the synthesis of the natural and social science aspects of the discipline.
Minor
The department of Government and Foreign Affairs offers a minor in public policy and the study of contemporary political problems grounded in the history of political thought.
Minor
The Race and Ethnicity Studies minor consists of interdisciplinary coursework requiring courses across multiple divisions and departments.
Major, Minor
Study in the religion discipline may focus on four major areas: biblical studies, Christian theology and ethics, American religious history, and world religions.
Major, Minor
Study in the Modern Languages department encourages immersion in the languages and offers a variety of opportunities for study-abroad experiences.
Major, Minor
A cross-disciplinary program, the Theatre department offers classes and independent studies ranging from beginning to advanced acting, set and light design, stagecraft, playwriting, and directing.
Major, Minor
Visual Arts focuses on developing an appreciation for and developing individual skills in studio art or art history with a knowledge of historical context.
Program
Interdisciplinary Studies offer student the opportunity to study across various departments and disciplines.
Program
The Core Cultures program is a required campus-wide, interdisciplinary course sequence that introduces students to two approaches to understanding the human past.
Program
The Honors Program nurtures student intellectual curiosity, independence of thought, excitement in learning, and appreciation of knowledge by building connections with faculty.
Program
The Fine Arts department, comprised of Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts offers majors in Theatre and Visual Arts and minors in Theatre, Visual Arts, and Music.
Program
Hampden-Sydney College welcomes international students from around the world and offers study abroad and away opportunities for students with more than 100 programs in 30 countries.
Minor, Program
The cornerstone of Hampden-Sydney's academic experience, the Rhetoric Program offers a minor in Rhetoric and assures that every young man who graduates will know how to express himself clearly and confidently.
Engage. Ignite. Innovate. Lead.
Hampden-Sydney's knowledge centers are where ideas take action
Whether pursuing entrepreneurial ideas, investigating political structures, interpreting history, or writing persuasive arguments, students explore, practice, and hone their skills so they can go on to become tomorrow's CEOs, business founders, military officers, college presidents, and civic and political leaders.
Explore More
Hampden-Sydney College will help you explore your interests and choose a major field of study by helping you think deeply about your purpose and goals in life.
Hampden-Sydney College provides resources for the community to reflect upon who you are most authentically, what you value most deeply, and what the world needs from you.
Your advisor will help you navigate your time at Hampden-Sydney by helping you plan your schedule and meet your goals with tools like the major and minor checklists.
The requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Hampden-Sydney College fall into two areas: Core Requirements and Major Requirements.
Academic Services at Hampden-Sydney College provide students with the assistance they need to achieve their academic goals and to be successful during their academic careers and beyond.
The Ferguson Career Center of Hampden-Sydney College assists students with a 4-year plan to leverage their liberal arts education into a sense of purpose and calling, a job, and an enjoyable life.
Other Academic Opportunities
Ready to chart your course?
A little direction goes a long way.
We believe college should help students find direction. Compass is our unique approach to hands-on learning and preparing men to compete for top jobs and graduate programs. How? By helping every student navigate his future through guided access to internships, study abroad, research, service learning, and active classroom experiences.