The NSU music department will help you grow as a musician while preparing you to excel in your dream career. The Bachelor of Arts in music, offering a general background in music theory, literature, history, and performance, is for students majoring in music as part of a liberal arts program. NSU is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Here, you'll get individual attention from our renowned music faculty members who will help you develop your fullest potential. Performance and ensemble opportunities at NSU are numerous. Performance groups include the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Aberdeen University/Civic Symphony, Symphonic Band, University/Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and opera scenes. Here, you’ll also find opportunities to participate in NSU’s woodwind, brass, percussion, and chamber music ensembles. Music majors are required to perform a senior recital and complete the MFAT exam.

History students graduate from Northern with outstanding communication and research skills – and are prepared to think independently and critically. In NSU's history program, you'll use the historical method to investigate important questions about society; perform research and clearly present findings, and identify and explain the significance of important events and issues in American and world history. Dedicated NSU faculty will help you make connections across time and space and fine-tune your writing and thinking skills. You'll learn to read critically, write effectively and reach your full potential as a citizen. History majors are found in a wide variety of fields. Many graduates find rewarding careers in law, education, business, museums, historic sites, nonprofit institutions, government, and more.

NSU’s dynamic, rewarding theatre degree program can be your foundation if you’re considering a professional or semi-professional career in theatre, graduate studies in theatre to participate in dramatic arts at the secondary level, or working with community theaters. As a theatre student, you’ll work toward a liberal arts degree with an emphasis on performance and studio activity. Northern theatre offers opportunities to be involved in several productions each year. You can take part in campus productions and gain experience in acting, directing, stage management, lighting, makeup, stagecraft, and musical theatre. Students graduating with a B.A. in theatre must register for THEA 491 Senior Show.

An English degree from NSU teaches valuable skills that transfer easily across disciplines and careers. NSU English students learn to write clearly, read critically, connect ideas meaningfully, understand diversity, relate historical context to human interactions, and see others empathetically. NSU's English program is structured to help students tailor their major to suit their needs. Each student chooses from several program emphases, each of which prioritizes different skill sets and content to suit students’ own career goals.

NSU's government majors graduate with comprehensive knowledge of the American political system, the philosophy behind the political activity, and the way politics work in a global environment. In this program, you’ll learn to write and argue concisely and effectively - valuable skills in virtually any career. Most graduates end up in law, government, politics, and business.

The ability to write and speak Spanish has never been more relevant for traveling, teaching or business—and Northern's online program will prepare you for a rewarding career. NSU Spanish courses concentrate on real-world application. With our bachelor's degree in Spanish, offered online and on-campus, you'll be equipped to apply your Spanish knowledge, practice, and experience to best serve your interests and career pursuits. Through NSU's Spanish degree, you'll gain an understanding of Spanish and Spanish-based culture and language as it thrives outside the classroom. Engaging, stimulating Spanish instruction is provided by instructors with actual field experience in Spanish-speaking countries. Familiarity and experience with Spanish can advance the career aspirations of anyone seeking to succeed as a professional in the global economy. Many employers seek out applicants who speak more than one language and are knowledgeable about other cultures.

NSU’s sociology program includes emphases on criminal justice or human services to help prepare you for many different jobs in fields such as law, law enforcement, social welfare, business administration, education, communications, and advocacy.

NSU's criminal justice degree prepares you to make a positive impact on community safety through the study of criminology, sociology, and data analysis. A criminal justice degree provides wide-ranging foundational knowledge of the U.S. criminal justice system. In this program, you'll learn about criminal law and procedure, policing, the judicial system, the correctional system, and criminological theory

A degree in international business opens the door to positions throughout business and industry anywhere in the world! Our online degree program will give you a comprehensive understanding of the business from a global perspective. A Northern international business graduate is prepared to lead, problem-solve, plan, evaluate, advise and organize in a global setting. In this program, you’ll take courses that will develop your understanding of diverse human values, motivations, and relations.

Northern's communication studies students learn to understand and practice communication, developing insight into and ability in effective expression and listening. In this compact, agile communications program, we'll help you tailor experiences and projects to your special needs and interests. Our communication studies degree also prepares you for professional schools in law, journalism, public relations, and organizational communication; or graduate studies in speech communication, rhetoric, public relations, mass media, and others.

Unleash your creative vision and hone your artistic abilities in Northern's fine art program, in which you'll develop advanced visual design skills and be trained to master the use of traditional studio media and tools. We have the resources you need to study art history, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, painting, drawing, design and mixed media. All classes are taught by caring, supportive professors and instructors, and our fully equipped facilities include upgrades for health and safety. Northern has one of the nicest art studios in the region, and seniors have the opportunity to work in a private studio. Student work can be showcased in one of three galleries located in modern and historic campus spaces.

Translate your ideas into impactful art that inspires and influences in NSU’s Art-Graphic Design program, where you’ll learn advanced visual design skills and master modern digital media and tools. With this degree, you’ll be ready to enter the professional design field or attend graduate school.

In Northern's global language and culture program, you'll be provided with skills and experiences to communicate effectively in global contexts across various cultural settings, becoming an effective participant in a global community. This program, offered in person or online, explores research across the curriculum - including sociology, business, history, government, cultural and communication studies, and a modern language - to offer a vibrant and accessible curriculum that stays current with global trends and market needs.

If you’re driven to learn more about the human mind, a degree in psychology is for you. Our psychology department offers a wide range of courses to ensure you’re well-prepared to apply your studies in the real world. Our professors apply a diverse approach, ranging from the academic rigor of the scientific method to the development of theoretical perspectives and sound scientific philosophies.