Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences


The Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences is an academic college at Cornell University. It has been part of the university since its founding in 1865, although its name has changed over time. It is the largest of Cornell University's colleges and schools with 4,759 undergraduate students, 1,337 graduate students, and 515 full-time faculty plus many lecturers, and offers more than 2,000 courses.
The college grants bachelor's degrees, and masters and doctorates through affiliation with the Cornell University Graduate School. Its major academic buildings are located on the Arts Quad of Cornell University's main campus in Ithaca, New York, which includes some of the university's oldest and most historic buildings.
WWW arts.cornell.edu

History

19th century

When it was founded in 1865, Cornell University's faculty was initially undifferentiated. With the founding of the Cornell Law School in 1886 and the concomitant self-segregation of the school's lawyers, however, departments and colleges began to be formed at the university.

20th century

In 1903, the academic division that ultimately became the College of Arts and Sciences was renamed as the Academic Department. The College endowed the first professorships in American history, musicology, and American literature.
From 1923 to 1945, Cornell professor Robert Morris Ogden, a professor of psychology and expert on Gestalt psychology, served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

21st century

In June 2018, Ray Jayawardhana was named the 22nd dean. On July 13, 2023, Rachel Bean succeeded Jayawardhana as interim dean. On August 1, 2024, Peter John Loewen became the 23rd dean.

Academics

Majors

The College of Arts and Sciences offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The only undergraduate degree is the Bachelor of Arts.
The majors within the college are:

Admissions

Admission into the college is extremely competitive. Percentages of acceptance change each year. According to the college's admissions page, they look for "academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, a commitment to a liberal arts education, and a demonstrated record of having a positive impact on your community.