Undergraduate Minors

College of Arts & Sciences

African American Studies Minor

This interdisciplinary program exposes students to the history, literature, and culture of African Americans throughout communities created by the dispersion of peoples from the African continent. Students apply contemporary theory in critical analysis by placing African American experiences, conditions, social institutions, and artistic contributions within the context of the African Diaspora. 18 credits.

Art History Minor

The art history minor combines the advantages of a small school with the perks of a vibrant city arts scene, including traditional museums and experimental spaces. Students enjoy working in small, intimate classes with a dynamic faculty that is well recognized in local, national, and international communities, learning to assimilate, understand, research, and critique works of art from prehistory to our rapidly changing global contemporary context. 18 credits.

Art Museum Studies Minor

The art museum studies minor provides students with the skills, experience, and specific professional knowledge necessary to work in the art museum field. The minor emphasizes practical experience designing and installing exhibitions and planning programming, and addresses the history and theory of the art museum. It is an appropriate accompaniment to majors in art history, arts management, and visual arts, as well as to double majors in art history and other disciplines. Integral to coursework are field trips to local museums, museum professionals as adjunct faculty and guest speakers, and the use of The Susan Bergman Gurrentz ’56 Art Gallery and Chatham’s art collections. 18 credits.

Biology Minor

Biology includes the study of the structure, function, and interactions of living organisms at multiple levels; it is a field that is evolving rapidly. A minor in biology is ideal for students who wish to supplement their studies in some other discipline with a concentrated study of living organisms. 24 credits.

Chemistry Minor

Chemistry is the science that uses the concepts of atoms and molecules to understand the interactions that lead to new materials of practical use in the world around us. A minor in chemistry is ideal for students who wish to supplement their studies in some other discipline with a concentrated study of what is commonly called “the central science.” 18 credits minimum.

Communication: Journalism Minor

Students in journalism learn to investigate, report, and write for newspapers, magazines, and online platforms, including websites, social media, and blogs. This concentration combines traditional journalism fundamentals with courses in film and video, photography, and Web design to equip students with a versatile toolkit of multimedia storytelling skills. A foundation in communications theory, history, and media ethics provides students with a deeper understanding of journalistic practice in an ever-changing global media industry. 18 credits.

Communication: Public Relations Minor

Students in public relations learn promotion, advertising, and branding strategies through research and hands-on projects. This concentration combines writing with multimedia skills, including photography, film and video production, social media strategy, and design. These technical skills are grounded in communication theory and media ethics, preparing students to represent brands and businesses in the global marketplace. 18 credits.

Creative Technology Minor

The creative technology minor introduces students to various topics, including web design, digital illustration, programming, digital video production, podcasting, sound recording, and other forms of new media. 18 credits.

Creative Writing Minor

The creative writing minor draws upon the strengths of the undergraduate English program and the graduate faculty of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. Students choosing this minor may be interested in a graduate degree in creative writing or a career in professional writing, or in augmenting a major in immersive media. 18 credits.

Criminology Minor

The criminology minor is primarily intended for students interested in careers in human services or criminal justice. The social science foundation of this minor particularly complements the BA degrees in psychology and social work available at Chatham. 15 credits.

Dance Minor

A minor in dance offers students the opportunity to develop skills that will complement many other fields of study. 18 credits.

English Minor

The English minor offers a firm foundation in literary appreciation and analysis. The emphasis on close study of significant texts and thoughtful, imaginative response to their ideas, styles, and cultural contexts helps widen and deepen a reader-writer’s worldview and prepare them for effective engagement with diverse communities and communication tasks. 18 credits.

Environmental Writing Minor

The environmental writing minor leverages the strengths of the undergraduate English program and Chatham's rich history of sustainability and environmental studies. It also incorporates resources from the Falk College of Environment, Leadership & Management, as well as the expertise of the graduate faculty from the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. 16 credits.

French Minor

Students who declare a French minor will study the language as well as the cultural contexts of the language. Prerequisites are introductory-level proficiency in French. This is equivalent to the completion of the introductory French course sequence (LNG 131 and LNG 132 plus LNG 131Lab and LNG 132Lab). Students proficient in the language may be exempted based on Chatham placement scores. 17 credits.

German Minor

Students who declare a German minor will study the language as well as the cultural contexts of the language. Prerequisites are introductory-level proficiency in German. This is equivalent to the completion of the introductory French course sequence (LNG 141 and LNG 142 plus LNG 141Lab and LNG 142Lab). Students proficient in the language may be exempted based on Chatham placement scores. 17 credits.

History Minor

The history program offers courses in African, American, Asian, European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern history that provide students with a grounding in the many ways historians have made sense of the world. Understanding how diverse societies, economies, states, and cultures have changed and developed over time is crucial to evaluating and adapting to today’s ever-changing world. Throughout their coursework, students learn to acquire, organize, analyze, and clearly communicate information and present complex histories to the public in a variety of formats. 18 credits.

Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights Minor

This minor offers students the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary learning about past and present acts of genocide, with an emphasis on human behavior and human rights, considering ways that the Holocaust continues to shape responses to human rights violations locally and globally. 18 credits.

Jewish Studies Minor

This minor is an interdisciplinary study of Jewish history, literature, religion, culture, and art. 18 credits.

Mathematics Minor

The mathematics minor explores the principal branches of mathematics, including calculus, algebra, probability, statistics, and analysis, with emphasis on applications to the sciences and social sciences. 20 credits.

Media Arts: Film & Digital Technology Minor

With the Media Arts: Film & Digital Technology minor, students develop creative, conceptual, and technical skills in film, art, communication, and cultural studies, blending critical awareness with knowledge of digital video, audio production, and emerging media technologies. 18 credits.

Media Arts: Graphic Design Minor

The Media Arts: Graphic Design minor focuses on design foundations and problem-solving. Students are challenged by a dynamic curriculum that incorporates typography, branding, web and print design, and digital illustration. Courses are taught by award-winning, nationally recognized artists in their fields, culminating in a unique, comprehensive final portfolio that serves as a primary tool for employment. 18 credits.

Media Arts: Photography Minor

Through the Media Arts: Photography minor, students explore ideas and develop fine-art-grounded skills applicable to contexts such as advertising, documentary, fashion, contemporary art, and travel. 18 credits.

Music Minor

With the music minor, students receive a strong foundation in musicianship, music theory, and music history, and participate in private vocal, instrumental, or composition instruction with some of the region’s best performers. 15 credits.

Music Business Minor

The music business minor is an interdisciplinary program that combines courses from music and business to give students with a passion for music a path into the business world. 19 credits.

Music Technology Minor

The music technology minor enables mastery of industry-standard technologies for editing and sequencing, putting the final touches on a piece of music, and taking a piece from recording to finished product, with additional courses in coding, video production, and web design. 19 credits.

Neuroscience Minor

Neuroscience combines theoretical and methodological approaches from biology, chemistry, and psychology to explore the nervous system. This minor is designed to help students supplement their studies in another discipline with a deeper understanding of foundational and emerging principles of neuroscience by examining the molecular, cellular, organismal, and social levels. 20 credits.

Philosophy Minor

The philosophy minor explores the meaning and value of human existence, methods of rational inquiry, history of ideas, varieties of religious experience, and the moral and intellectual issues of a technological, global society. This liberal arts discipline encourages critical reflection, self-understanding, and the pursuit of wisdom. 18 credits.

Physics Minor

The physics minor aids in preparation for the workforce in terms of breadth of knowledge and problem-solving with applications. Students take first-year physics requirements and mathematics courses at Chatham; upper-level physics electives are taken at other area institutions through the PCHE agreement. 19-22 credits.

Political Science Minor

The political science program offers courses in American politics, international politics, and law, aiming to develop students' conceptual skills and analytical tools for understanding political issues. It enhances critical thinking, written and oral communication, and fosters commitment to social responsibility and political participation, preparing students for graduate study and professional careers. The program collaborates with various universities and community centers, providing opportunities for internships and involvement with organizations like the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics. 18 credits.

Pre-Law Minor

Chatham’s pre-law program is designed to encourage and support students interested in careers in law. It also helps students prepare to attend law school. The program includes a pre-law advisor, a pre-law minor, co-curricular programs offered in partnership with the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, and support from an advisory committee. 13 credits.

Professional Writing Minor

This minor is designed for students who wish to develop their writing skills to a professional level. Completion of this program prepares students for the changing requirements of the workplace in a variety of fields, including education, science, the web, advertising and public relations, grant writing, technical writing, political communication, and speech writing. 15 credits.

Psychology Minor

One of Chatham’s most popular programs, the psychology minor gives students the opportunity to explore contemporary theory and research while teaching them to think scientifically about behavior and mental processes. Students in the program have the flexibility to specialize within their minor on a wide range of topics, including development, psychobiology, and abnormal behavior. This minor is applicable to any career in which an understanding of human thought and behavior is central, including the health sciences, personnel/human resources, social work, introductory-level counseling, interviewing, and data collection. 18 credits.

Social Justice Minor

This minor promotes interdisciplinary understanding of social justice that is historically rooted, advocacy-based, and provides students with the tools to make a positive impact on their communities. Core and elective courses explore the historical and theoretical context of social justice, develop culturally sensitive communication skills, and examine contemporary issues. 18-19 credits.

Social Services Administration Minor

The social service administration minor provides a structured interdisciplinary foundation for understanding the historical roles, importance, and administration of social service and nonprofit organizations in contemporary American society. The minor includes content on the development of social service organizations, the many human needs that they meet, and the social problems they address. The minor also provides students with administrative skills and knowledge that will prepare them to work with other professionals in social service and nonprofit organizations. 18 credits.

Social Work Minor

This minor is intended for students interested in exploring social work as a field for further study. It does not prepare a student for professional social work practice. Instead, it can be used to understand social work and explore professional careers within it. 18 credits.

Spanish Minor

Students who declare a Spanish minor will study the language as well as its cultural contexts. Completion of Introductory-level coursework in Spanish. This is equivalent to the completion of the introductory Spanish course sequence (LNG 161 and LNG 162 plus LNG 161Lab and LNG 162Lab). Students with introductory-level skills in Spanish may be exempted from or may earn credit for introductory-level courses through testing. 17 credits.

Studio Arts Minor

The studio arts minor introduces you to fundamental skills, processes, theory, and culture, from art history and foundation classes to contemporary visual theory and advanced studio practices, such as ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, and printmaking. 18 credits.

Theater Minor

The theater minor offers students the opportunity to explore acting, stagecraft, performance, and the history of drama. 18 credits.

Women's and Gender Studies Minor

The minor in women’s and gender studies offers students the opportunity to engage in the interdisciplinary study of women’s contributions to society and women’s experiences across diverse cultures, polities, and historical periods. Students seek to understand the new scholarship on women and the new intellectual frameworks, methodologies, and feminist theories that examine gender as a social construct. They analyze critically the representations and voices of women in literature, arts, and religious and philosophical traditions, in social and political theory and practice, and in the sciences, and they are encouraged to enunciate their own approaches to reshaping society.

College of Health Sciences

Exercise Science Minor

The exercise science minor is an undergraduate focus that provides students with additional training and education in the physiology and science of exercise and physical activity. The goal of exercise science is to understand the relationship between fitness, exercise, diet, and health. 24 credits.

Health and Wellness Minor

Students in the health and wellness minor will acquire the skills to think critically and scientifically about human health and behavior, understand and navigate healthcare systems, and gain perspectives on health and disability and their social and environmental determinants. 19 credits.

Nutrition Minor

The nutrition minor complements various majors, such as Nursing and Exercise Science, by equipping students with the skills to distinguish fact from fiction in the evolving field of nutrition. It provides a foundational understanding of how food interacts with the body and affects health. This minor enhances students' knowledge, improves their well-being and marketability across diverse professional areas, and prepares them for graduate training in nutrition and dietetics. 20 credits.

Falk College of Environment, Leadership & Management

Accounting Minor

The accounting minor complements both business and non-business majors by providing skills in basic bookkeeping, balance sheets, tax accounting, and auditing. Students gain technical knowledge as well as critical thinking and communication skills necessary for effective financial management in public, private, nonprofit, or government settings. 18 credits.

Applied Machine Learning Minor

The applied machine learning minor equips students with foundational concepts in building algorithms, conducting data analysis, and developing quantitative models. Students learn to implement artificial intelligence techniques to detect patterns within the data, interpret results, and effectively communicate insights to support business innovation and decision-making. 19 credits.

Applied Management Minor

A minor degree in management provides students with essential skills in leadership, organizational behavior, and strategy development. It complements degrees in other academic disciplines by emphasizing effective team coordination and business planning to prepare students for managerial roles across a variety of organizational settings. 18 credits.

Botany Minor

Botany, or plant biology, is the scientific study of plants, from algae to giant sequoia trees. A minor in botany is ideal for students who wish to supplement their studies in another discipline with a focused study of plant life. 18-22 credits.

Business Minor

A minor in business covers core principles of management, marketing, and finance. It adds value to other majors with foundational skills in managing a business, tracking and growing its assets, understanding market conditions, and serving customer needs. A business minor can enhance career prospects in a variety of professions. 18 credits.

Data Science Analytics Minor

A minor degree in data science analytics equips students with skills in statistical analysis, data visualization, and predictive modeling. The minor supports science-driven decision-making across a variety of professions by providing expertise in extracting and communicating actionable insights from complex data sets. 18 credits.

Economics Minor

The economics minor provides a diverse array of business skills in such areas as supply and demand concepts, macrotrend analysis, trade and finance, and the global economy. This minor can be combined with a business or non-business major to broaden career options or to pursue graduate study in law, policy, business, or other disciplines. 18 credits.

Finance Minor

The finance minor offers students a solid foundation in financial accounting, finance principles, investments, and the functioning of financial institutions and markets. 18 credits.

Food Studies Minor

The food studies minor provides practical skill-building and insights into food and agriculture through the analysis of social, cultural, economic, environmental, and historical topics. 16 credits.

Management Information Systems Minor

The management information systems (MIS) minor focuses on integrating technology and business processes to improve organizational efficiency. It equips students with skills in managing IT systems, analyzing data, and leveraging technology to support effective internal and external information management and dissemination. 18 credits.

Marketing Minor

A minor degree in marketing provides students with foundational knowledge in industry analysis, competitive intelligence, consumer behavior, strategy development, and integrated communications techniques. The emphasis on experiential learning hones students’ abilities to develop and implement effective business growth initiatives across industries and settings. 18 credits.

Sustainability and Society Minor

The sustainability and society minor explores economics in a changing world, as well as environmental and social innovations. 12 credits.

Sustainable Business Studies Minor

The minor in sustainable business studies examines economics and business in a changing world, along with corporate social responsibility, sustainable energy applications, and innovations in environmental and social practices. 15 credits.

Sustainable Energy and Urban Systems Minor

The minor in sustainable energy and urban systems examines sustainability science, focusing on the intersection of sustainability and technology, as well as sustainable energy applications. Students will have the opportunity to learn and work with GIS software and applications. 15 credits.

Sustainable Natural Resources Management Minor

The minor in sustainable natural resource management equips students with a solid foundation in forestry, natural resource policy and law, and sustainability science. 15 credits.