Arts & Sciences College of Arts & Sciences

On This Page

Description


Mark E. Button, Ph.D., Dean, Professor of Political Science
Patrick Dussault, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Faculty, Bessey Professor of Chemistry
June Griffin, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, Professor of Practice of English
William Thomas, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, Professor of History, Angle Chair in the Humanities
Alecia Kimbrough, Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Business and Finance and Staff
Christina Fielder, M.A., Senior Director of Student Academic and Career Development


For additional information or questions, contact:

Christina Fielder
Sr. Director of Student Academic and Career Development
107 Oldfather Hall
PO Box 880330
Lincoln, NE 68588-0330
402-472-4190

Mission

In the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), our curiosity drives discovery and creative activity. Our research and teaching engage multiple disciplines, foster many different ways of perceiving our surroundings, and pursue multiple paths for exploring the world. We push ourselves and our students to think deeply and broadly—to integrate ideas from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences—in ways that lead to innovation and prepare us for the challenges that tomorrow will bring. Together we cherish the diversity of people, cultures, and ideas in Nebraska and throughout our interdependent world.

College Admission

The entrance requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences, including any of the majors or minors offered through the college, are the same as the University of Nebraska–Lincoln general admission requirements. In addition to these requirements, the College of Arts and Sciences strongly recommends a third and fourth year of one world language in high school. Four years of high school coursework in the same language will fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences’ graduation requirement. It will also allow students to continue language study at a more advanced level at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and provide more opportunities to study abroad.

Transfer Students

To be considered for admission as a transfer student, Nebraska resident or nonresident, students must have an accumulated average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum C average in the last semester of attendance at another college. Transfer students who graduated from high school January 1997 and after must also meet the University of Nebraska–Lincoln general admission requirements. Those transfer students who graduated before January 1997 must have completed in high school 3 years of English, 2 years of the same world language, 2 years of algebra, and 1 year of geometry.

Ordinarily, hours earned at a similarly accredited college or university are applicable to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln degree. The College, however, will evaluate all hours submitted on an application for transfer and reserves the right to accept or reject any of them, based on its exclusion and restriction policies. Sixty (60) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept on transfer from a two-year college or international institution. Transfer credit in the major or minor must be approved by the departmental advisor on a Request for Substitution Form to meet specific course requirements, group requirements, or course level requirements in the major or minor. A minimum of 30 hours, including at least 18 hours in the major, must be completed at the University regardless of the number of hours transferred.

Readmitted Students

University of Nebraska–Lincoln students who choose not to take courses for more than two consecutive terms must reapply to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Students readmitted to the College of Arts and Sciences will follow the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year of readmission and re-enrollment as a degree-seeking student in the College. Newly readmitted students must meet with their academic advisor in order to enroll in courses. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. Beginning in 1990-1991, the catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation.

Advising

Academic and Career Advising Center

Not sure where to go or who to ask? The Advising Center team in 107 Oldfather Hall can help. The Academic and Career Advising Center is the undergraduate hub for CAS students in all majors. Centrally located and easily accessed, students encounter friendly, knowledgeable people who are eager to help or connect students to partners and resources. Students also visit the Advising Center in 107 Oldfather Hall to:

  • Choose or change their major, minor, or degree program.
  • Check in on policies, procedures, and deadlines.
  • Get a college approval signature from the Dean’s representatives.

CAS Career Coaches are available by appointment (in-person or Zoom) and located in the CAS Academic and Career Advising Center, 107 Oldfather Hall. They help students explore majors and minors, gain experience, and develop a plan for life after graduation.

Assigned Academic Advisors

Academic advisors are critical resources dedicated to students' academic, personal, and professional success. Every CAS student is assigned an academic advisor based on their primary major. Since most CAS students have more than just a single major, it is important to get to know the advisor for any minors or additional majors. Academic advisors work closely with the faculty to provide the best overall support and the discipline specific expertise. They are available for appointments (in-person or Zoom) and through weekly virtual drop-ins. Assigned advisors are listed in MyRED and their offices may be located in or near the department of the major for which they advise.

Students who have declared a pre-health or pre-law area of interest will also work with advisors in the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center (Explore Center) in 127 Love South, who are specially trained to guide students preparing to enter a professional school.

For complete and current information on advisors for majors, minors, or pre-professional areas, visit https://cas.unl.edu/major-advisors, or connect with the Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center, 107 Oldfather Hall, 402-472-4190, casadvising@unl.edu.

Career Coaching

The College believes that Academics + Experience = Opportunities and encourages students to complement their academic preparation with real-world experience, including internships, research, education abroad, service, and leadership. Arts and sciences students have access to a powerful network of faculty, staff, and advisors dedicated to providing information and support for their goals of meaningful employment or advanced education. Arts and sciences graduates have unlimited career possibilities and carry with them important career competencies—communication, critical thinking, creativity, context, and collaboration. They have the skills and adaptability that employers universally value. Graduates are prepared to effectively contribute professionally and personally with a solid foundation to excel in an increasingly global, technological, and interdisciplinary world.

Students should contact the career coaches in the Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center in 107 Oldfather Hall, or their assigned advisor, for more information. The CAS career coaches help students explore career options, identify ways to build experience and prepare to apply for internships, jobs, or graduate school, including help with resumes, applications, and interviewing.

Academic Programs & Policies

Catalog to Use

Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. Beginning in 1990-1991, the catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation.

Transfer Students: Students who have transferred from a community college may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This decision should be made in consultation with academic advisors, provided the student a) was enrolled in a community college during the catalog year they are utilizing, b) maintained continuous enrollment at the previous institution for 1 academic year or more, and c) continued enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from their last term at the previous institution. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year and within the time frame allowable for that catalog year.