College of Arts and Sciences Launches Three New Academic Programs

College of Arts and Sciences Launches Three New Academic Programs

The College of Arts and Sciences launched a new sports media major and minor in the fall of 2020.

The University now offers majors in behavioral neuroscience and sports media, in addition to a new master’s in public administration track in emergency management.

Each academic year is ripe with the promise of new academic pursuits, and this past year, Fairfield University’s College of Arts and Sciences fulfilled that promise by launching new interdisciplinary majors in behavioral neuroscience and sports media, and a new master’s in public administration track in emergency management. Strategically designed to meet growing industry demands, each program provides current and prospective students with the tools, opportunities, and hands on experience needed to succeed in these fields, as well as gain a competitive edge in today’s job market.

BA in Sports Media

Offered as both a major and a minor, the College’s highly anticipated sports media program encompasses the industry’s main tenets in journalism, broadcasting, communication, and public relations, and combines them with a critical approach to studying sports rooted in the liberal arts. Featuring an experiential, analytical, and interdisciplinary approach to learning, the undergraduate program requires students to take a combination of courses within the College’s digital journalism, communication, and film, television, and media arts programs, including “News Writing,” “Remote TV Production,” and “Crisis Communication,” to name a few.

Throughout their studies, students learn to critically evaluate the social, cultural, and political issues that imbue and surround sports, while learning the dexterity and skills essential to navigating the industry’s wide range of careers. Students also benefit from the University’s proximity to major sports media institutions like ESPN, NBC Sports, WWE, and the YES Network, which serve as key locations to pursue internships and begin careers. Visit fairfield.edu/sportsmedia to learn more.

BS in Behavioral Neuroscience

Originally available as an interdisciplinary minor, the College of Arts and Sciences’ behavioral neuroscience program was offered as a major for the first time this past fall in response to an increase in student demand and a marked expansion within the industry.

Sitting at the intersection of psychology and biology, the behavioral neuroscience major focuses on the study of biological mechanisms underlying human and animal behavior and addresses topics from the cellular/molecular level to the biological underpinnings of all aspects of behavior and psychological disorders. Students who enroll in the program benefit from an experiential learning style that incorporates supervised and independent research conducted in the University’s labs. Students gain experience participating in data collection and data analysis while receiving one-on-one instruction from faculty on important topics such as research ethics, research design, statistical analyses, and dissemination of research. Visit fairfield.edu/behavioralneuroscience to learn more. 

Master in Public Administration (MPA) Emergency Management Track

The latest of four academic tracks available within Fairfield’s Master’s in Public Administration program, the new emergency management track focuses on public safety administration and emergency preparedness in the face of both natural and man-made disasters. The first program of its kind in Connecticut, the new track equips professionals with the essential skills for managing both government and nonprofit organizations, including expertise in fiscal management, project administration, grant-writing, analytics, and human resource management. Students also learn how to examine current theories, trends, and issues in public administration and engage in active learning, critical reflection, and experiential practices. 

Employment opportunities in this discipline, both within state and federal agencies and the nonprofit sector, are expected to grow significantly in the future as localities strive to become better at preparing for and addressing large-scale disasters. Visit www.fairfield.edu/mpa to learn more.

Tags:  College of Arts & Sciences

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