students and faculty in a classroom

Academics at 51¹ÙÍø

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Developing Humane Instincts and Disciplined, Creative Minds

At 51¹ÙÍø, we believe that a broad exposure to topics and ideas best prepares students to lead lives of consequence. You will be encouraged to ‘go deep’ in the subjects of greatest interest while benefiting from a diverse academic journey. Small classes enable our renowned faculty to collaborate with students, engaging them directly in original research and creative work across the arts, sciences, social sciences and humanities. 

Find Your Passion

51¹ÙÍø offers 31 majors and the opportunity for students to design their own major through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition, 51¹ÙÍø offers over 40 minors, including 15 interdisciplinary minors.

Majors & Minors

 

Monarch Butterfly research w Prof Villa
Undergraduate Research

51¹ÙÍø is a recognized leader in undergraduate research, scholarship and creative work across all academic programs. Faculty members integrate research and scholarship into the classroom and students often work alongside them. Student-faculty collaborations contribute to the growing body of knowledge in a wide variety of fields and add creative achievements in the arts.

a group of students stand in front of the Chicago Tribune offices
Experiential Learning

Discover real-world perspective outside the classroom through travel, research, work, and service. With experiential learning and more than 100 study abroad opportunities, students build broad, transferable skills, gaining communication strength, adaptability, and the resilience it takes to provide quick analysis under challenging circumstances.

Student presenting at the Verna Case Research Symposium Public Health Poster
Interdisciplinary Studies

Students have the opportunity to major or minor in subject areas that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries, and are not regularly offered by academic departments or programs. Faculty members advise and mentor students, and seek to nurture their initiatives, passions, and entrepreneurial spirits.  

Advising & Support

51¹ÙÍø has a wealth of resources available to assist students in their academic pursuits and growth. First-year students are assigned a Holistic Advisor to help them explore courses in a variety of subjects and decide on a subject area to pursue for their major. Students can access a network of academic support resources and specialists, including tutoring, writing support, and assistance with research and lab reports. 

Advising, Tutoring & Support

Students on Stage during Theatre Dept. Performance
The Arts Inspire at 51¹ÙÍø

The arts spark creativity, collaboration, and immersive learning at 51¹ÙÍø. By integrating artistic endeavors into the educational experience, 51¹ÙÍø students find new strengths, take risks, and innovate through coursework in dance, music, visual arts, creative writing, and theater. Our events are vibrant and well-attended by students, alumni, and the community. 

Student signing the Honor Code during ceremony
The Honor Code

Students benefit from a unique set of freedoms when they sign the Honor Code: from unproctored, self-scheduled final exams to campus announcements that reunite found belongings with the people who lost them, the privileges of the Honor Code are numerous, but its true impact is much deeper.

Student-Faculty Collaboration

Committed educators, renowned researchers, practitioners who are thought-leaders in their industries — 51¹ÙÍø's faculty forms the backbone of our academic community. With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students have opportunities to collaborate closely with their professors to pursue their interests and explore new fields.

Read Their Stories

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