College of Arts and Sciences

Thomas A. Chambers, PhD, Dean
Jennifer A. Desiderio, PhD, Associate Dean
Julie S. Gibert, PhD, Faculty Associate Dean, Advisement & Study Abroad

Richard D. Reitsma, Ph.D., Faculty Associate Dean, Inclusion & Engagement

Mission Statement

The College of Arts & Sciences at Canisius provides an excellent liberal arts and sciences education by engaging students in the classroom, laboratory, studio, and broader community. As an integral part of a Catholic, Jesuit university the College of Arts & Sciences seeks to educate the whole person in preparation for service and leadership in a global society.

Academic Programs

The College of Arts and Sciences offers curricula covering a wide range of disciplines in the humanities, fine arts, natural sciences, mathematics and social sciences.  Each program combines the liberal-arts objectives of the Core Curriculum with the specific goals of a student’s major field, with an emphasis on preparation for careers and graduate or professional school.

The College of Arts and Sciences also offers graduate programs leading to master of science degrees in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, or Anthrozoology, and a master of arts degree in Informal Education & Interpretation.

We also offer Advanced Certificates in Data Analytics and Integrated Marketing Communication.

In addition, we offer Associate of Arts degrees in Social Sciences and Humanities.

Undergraduate Majors

Majors Department
Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation (ABEC) Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation (ABEC)
Anthrozoology Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation (ABEC)
Biochemistry Chemistry and Biochemistry
Biology Biology
Chemistry Chemistry and Biochemistry
Computer Science Computer Science
Creative Writing English
Criminal Justice Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Environmental Studies
Digtal Media Arts Communication
English English
Environmental Science Biology
Environmental Studies Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Environmental Studies
History History
Integrated Marketing Communication Communication
International Relations Political Science
Journalism Communication
Mathematics Mathematics and Statistics
Philosophy Philosophy
Physics Physics
Political Science Political Science
Psychology Psychology
Sociology Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Environmental Studies
Spanish Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Strategic Communication Communication

Additionally, there are three interdisciplinary majors offered that require pre-approval before declaration through the dean's office:

Undergraduate Minors

The many minors offered in the College of Arts and Sciences are identified in the descriptions of departmental offerings and available in the list of Undergraduate Minors A-Z.

Institutes and Centers

Also housed in the College of Arts and Sciences are:

  • The William H. Fitzpatrick Institute of Public Affairs and Leadership
  • The Frank G. Raichle Pre-Law Center
  • The George E. Schreiner Pre-Medical Center