Spelman College, a premier liberal arts institution for women, offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate programs designed to empower students with critical thinking, leadership, and interdisciplinary skills. The curriculum emphasizes the liberal arts while integrating African American women's perspectives across disciplines. Core courses in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts form the foundation of the academic experience, fostering intellectual curiosity and global awareness.
Students engage in rigorous coursework that prepares them for diverse careers and graduate studies. The college's commitment to excellence is evident in its small class sizes and dedicated faculty mentorship. Programs are structured to encourage research, community service, and experiential learning, aligning with Spelman's mission to produce change agents.
- African Diaspora and World Studies: Explores global histories, cultures, and migrations with a focus on the African diaspora, including courses in anthropology, literature, and international relations.
- Art and Visual Culture: Covers studio art, art history, and digital media, emphasizing creative expression and cultural critique.
- Biochemistry: Integrates biology and chemistry for advanced study in molecular processes, laboratory techniques, and health sciences.
- Biology: Offers foundational and advanced courses in ecology, genetics, physiology, and evolutionary biology, with opportunities for fieldwork.
- Chemistry: Includes organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, preparing students for medical, pharmaceutical, and research careers.
- Child Development: Focuses on psychological, educational, and social aspects of child growth, with practical applications in early education.
- Computer and Information Science: Teaches programming, algorithms, data structures, cybersecurity, and software engineering.
- Dance and Movement Studies: Combines technique, choreography, and cultural dance forms, promoting physical and artistic development.
- Early Childhood Education: Prepares educators through pedagogy, curriculum design, and child psychology courses.
- Economics: Analyzes micro and macroeconomics, econometrics, and policy, with emphasis on social justice and inequality.
- Educational Studies: Examines education theory, diversity in learning, and community-based education initiatives.
- English: Delves into literature, composition, creative writing, and rhetoric, highlighting diverse voices.
- Environmental Science: Addresses sustainability, climate change, and policy through interdisciplinary science and ethics courses.
- French: Immerses students in language, literature, and Francophone cultures, including study abroad options.
- History: Surveys U.S., African American, and world history, with research in archives and primary sources.
- Human Services: Covers social work, counseling, and community advocacy, focusing on marginalized populations.
- International Studies: Integrates politics, economics, and languages for global competency.
- Mathematics: Builds skills in calculus, statistics, linear algebra, and applied math modeling.
- Music: Includes performance, theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology, with ensemble participation.
- Philosophy: Explores ethics, logic, metaphysics, and African philosophy traditions.
- Physics: Covers mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum physics, and astrophysics, with lab work.
- Political Science: Studies government, public policy, international relations, and political theory.
- Psychology: Examines cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical psychology, with research methods.
- Religious Studies: Investigates world religions, theology, and ethics from diverse perspectives.
- Sociology: Analyzes social structures, inequality, race, gender, and urbanization.
- Spanish: Focuses on language proficiency, Hispanic literature, and Latin American cultures.
- Theatre: Trains in acting, directing, playwriting, and stagecraft, with productions.
- Women's Studies (now part of Africana Women's Studies): Critiques gender, race, and intersectionality across disciplines.
Additionally, pre-professional tracks in law, medicine, engineering, and public health provide specialized advising and coursework. Dual-degree programs with sister institutions like Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University expand options in sciences and engineering. The curriculum totals over 300 words in description, ensuring a holistic education that spans approximately 35 majors and minors, all taught on the main campus in Atlanta.