Majors

Amherst offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in 40 majors in the arts, sciences, social sciences and humanities. Students can carry more than one major, create their own interdisciplinary major or engage in independent scholarship. Many students delve more deeply into their major field by undertaking honors theses as seniors. Often the equivalent of graduate-level work, theses have taken the form of a major paper, scientific investigation or creative work. Departmental and program majors are offered in the following areas:

Amherst College Majors

• American Studies
• Anthropology & Sociology *^†
• Architectural Studies **
• Art & the History of Art
• Asian Languages & Civilizations
• Biochemistry & Biophysics **
• Biology
• Black Studies
• Chemistry
• Classics ^Δ
• Computer Science
• Economics
• English
• Environmental Studies
• European Studies **
• Film & Media Studies **
• French

• Geology
• German
• History
• Latinx and Latin American Studies **
• Law, Jurisprudence & Social Thought
• Mathematics & Statistics *
• Music
• Neuroscience **
• Philosophy
• Physics & Astronomy *
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Religion
• Russian
• Sexuality, Women’s & Gender Studies
• Spanish
• Theater & Dance

*Separate majors within a single department.
** Program major
^Δ The Classics department offers four majors: Greek, Latin, Classics and Classical Civilization.
^†A student may petition to become an Anthropology-Sociology major.

Five College Department Major

• Astronomy

Interdisciplinary Majors

After submitting a formal proposal and obtaining faculty approval, a student may construct an interdisciplinary major. Learn more...

Independent Scholar Program

With faculty approval, a limited number of students may participate in the Independent Scholar Program, usually in the junior or senior year, in lieu of a traditional major program. Independent Scholars plan a personal program of study under the direction of a tutor. Students must be nominated for the program by a member of the faculty. Learn more...

Other Courses and Programs

Amherst does not offer a major in creative writing, but the Creative Writing Center, in conjunction with various departments, provides courses in the writing of fiction, poetry, plays, non-fictional prose and translation.

Amherst participates in a variety of Five College programs, including 11 certificate programs, supervised independent and mentored language programs, and two shared departments.

View Amherst’s course offerings for Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino studies.

Additionally, Amherst offers a wide variety of colloquia and seminars, including first-year seminars.

Browse Courses

Find course lists on the majors pages, or browse the Amherst College Course Catalog and the Five College Course Catalog.