Buena Vista University (BVU)

Become a professional exhibiting artist. Teach students how to work with their core beliefs and question not what art was but what it is and will be. Manage an art gallery and design innovative displays. A firm grounding in art theory, production, and criticism will allow you to pursue various avenues in the art world.

Through your studies, you will gain a technical and conceptual understanding of the art discipline, and delve into many subjects including art history, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, and drawing. You will have round-the-clock access to top-notch facilities and equipment and ample opportunity to display your work in BVU’s large art gallery or other exhibition areas. Art students also have an extensive variety of studio processes available to them, including resin-bonded sand casting, wood carving, metal fabrication, and welding. As part of your studies, you will develop professional skills through internships and study abroad opportunities. You will also work alongside expert professors who are practicing artists and are committed to teaching, research and lifelong learning. In addition to honing your technical abilities and producing professional work, you will learn to think critically, communicate clearly and work creatively.... [-]

Start up your own restaurant or become a financial advisor on Wall Street. Launch a career in sports management or market research. Recruit and interview job candidates for a large corporation. BVU’s business major will provide you with core and transferable knowledge so you can be an effective business leader in any field or profession.

The business major is a comprehensive program emphasizing real-world problem solving and practical experience. Early on, you’ll put theory into action through simulations, case studies, research, and countless internship and travel opportunities. As part of your studies, you will complete a series of core and foundation courses that will equip you with a broad set of skills and a thorough understanding of business operations. You may also pursue one or more business concentrations to supplement your studies and increase marketability. The five concentrations - sports management, marketing, entrepreneurship, financial decision making and human resource management - allow you to tailor your studies and career path, develop specialized knowledge and abilities, and become an adept business leader. A business degree from BVU will provide you with the ability to adapt to the ever-changing workplace. You will graduate with the knowledge and skills that are sought after most by industry professionals. ... [-]

Become a teacher and inspire students to investigate the properties, composition, and structure of matter. Work for a pharmaceutical company and help develop new drugs to cure life-threatening diseases. Conduct chemical analyses at an industrial research lab. As a chemistry major at B.V.U., you’ll study the principal areas of modern chemistry, and learn to apply your skills to a variety of careers and contemporary challenges.

Through your studies, you will learn to think creatively, solve complex problems, and perform detailed analyses. Early on, you will put theory into practice through challenging coursework, internships and hands-on applications using cutting-edge equipment. You will also have the opportunity to carry out an extended research project in collaboration with highly qualified faculty, participate in a summer research experience at a major research institution, and present research at local and regional professional science meetings. There are two tracks in chemistry at B.V.U. – professional and liberal arts – allowing you to solidify your strengths, customize your career path, or continue on to graduate or professional school. The chemistry program also offers teaching licensure for grades 5-12.... [-]

Design and implement a cutting-edge operating system. Lead a software development team at a Fortune 500 company. Safeguard sensitive data at an organization. As a computer science major at BVU, you will receive a combination of high-quality academics and practical experience that will allow you to pursue a career in a variety of industries.

BVU’s computer science program is designed to prepare students to enter the rapidly expanding and ever-evolving field of computer science. Early on, you will put theory into practice through internships, extra-curricular involvement, and real-world applications. You’ll also carry out research and work alongside expert professors who bring working-world experience into the classroom and are committed to student success. There are three tracks in computer science at BVU – systems, information technology, and mathematics – allowing you to solidify your strengths, customize your career path, or continue on to graduate school. With a computer science degree from BVU, you will become proficient in many areas, enabling you to be creative and adaptable and work in a broad variety of roles.... [-]

Become a counselor at a youth correctional facility. Continue on to law school and become a defense attorney or prosecutor. Supervise and counsel those who have been convicted of a crime in a state prison or community setting. BVU’s criminology and criminal justice program will provide you with strong preparation for many careers and is an excellent foundation for graduate school or law school.

As a criminology and criminal justice major, you’ll examine the principal areas of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, juvenile justice, the legal system, and corrections. The program’s unique integration of criminological theory and criminal justice administration and policy will equip you with the knowledge to adapt in these ever-evolving fields. You will also gain practical experience through a wide range of internship opportunities, and as a culmination of your studies, you’ll complete a senior capstone course to refine your professional skills and synthesize knowledge. With a criminology and criminal justice degree from BVU, you will hone your problem-solving and communication abilities, and learn to think critically about the causes, consequences, prevention, and control of criminal activity.... [-]

Conduct research at an environmental consulting company. Develop plans to restore polluted land or water. Test and analyze soil, water, and air for environmental contaminants. As an environmental science major at BVU, you will study the interrelationships between human activities and the environment, and learn the skills to work in a wide range of careers in government, industry, education and consulting.

Through coursework, internships, and travel, you will acquire the necessary tools to address key issues of the environment, communicate effectively, and think critically and creatively. You will also conduct field research using cutting-edge equipment while implementing extended projects in collaboration with expert professors. These practical, hands-on experiences will enhance your overall learning experience, broaden your perspectives, and prepare you to enter and adapt to the rapidly changing field of environmental science. There are three tracks in environmental science at BVU – science, social science, and conservation education – allowing you to focus your studies, customize your career path, or continue on to graduate or professional school.... [-]

Create graphics for advertisements, billboards or magazines. Design logos for up-and-coming companies. Develop the layout and graphics for Web pages. As a graphic design & visual communication major at BVU, you will learn the skills to work for all types of businesses, large and small, in almost every industry imaginable.

Graphic design & visual communication students at BVU get more than a classroom education. Through your studies, you will often have the chance to design projects for real clients on campus and in the community. You will further develop your professional skills through individualized attention, countless internship opportunities, extra-curricular activities and diverse classroom projects. As part of your education, you’ll become proficient with the latest software programs and learn how to design for emerging technology and media. Because you will be actively designing and creating projects throughout your college career, you will also build a competitive portfolio of materials to show potential employers. The program’s emphasis on concept development and practical application will enhance your strategic thinking, problem-solving and design skills, and prepare you to work in a number of design-related fields.... [-]

Collect and interpret data at a government agency or in a research and development department. Manage the finances of a major corporation. Become a teacher or a college professor and instill in students a passion for learning, numbers and analytical thinking. Mathematics is a foundation for many different kinds of careers. As a mathematics major at BVU, you will have access to a variety of challenging courses that will allow you to sharpen your analytical and problem-solving skills and better understand the world through quantitative processes.

The mathematics program at BVU encourages collaboration and application of knowledge. As part of your studies, you will be exposed to rigorous coursework, carry out mathematical research, and work alongside expert faculty who are committed to teaching and student success. Mathematics students also refine their skills by participating in coveted summer internships at major research institutions. Studying mathematics at BVU will provide you with a competitive advantage in many fields. A mathematics degree can also give you a solid foundation for further study in mathematics or in a variety of other disciplines.... [-]

Advise governments, organizations or businesses on political issues. Continue on to law school and become a federal prosecutor or litigation attorney. Serve as a campaign staff member in the next presidential election cycle. In addition to providing a solid foundation for continuing on to graduate school or law school, a political science degree can lead to an exciting career in government, business, education or politics after graduation from BVU.

As part of your studies, you will work closely with highly qualified faculty and gain an ample understanding of the political forces that shape our lives. You will develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills, as well as acquire sophisticated knowledge of political behavior, governmental processes, constitutional principles, the law, and global affairs. Early on, you will develop professional skills through world-class internships, research projects, co-curricular activities and travel opportunities. These practical, hands-on applications will enhance your overall learning experience, broaden your perspectives, and provide you with valuable preparation for a wide variety of careers. As a political science major at BVU, you will hone your analytical and problem-solving abilities and become a more socially responsible and active citizen. Because the political science major complements a variety of other programs, including English, public administration, science or business, many students often declare it as a second major.... [-]

Write persuasive speeches for political candidates. Advise lawyers and police officers about how to interview crime witnesses. Complete research projects exploring cutting-edge questions about how the mind works. As a psychology major at BVU, you will receive a combination of high-quality academics and practical experience that will allow you to gain a competitive edge and pursue a career in a variety of fields or continue on to graduate school.

At BVU, psychology is studied as a science. As part of your studies, you will examine the complexities of human behavior and the forces that drive it. You will formulate and test hypotheses using valid research methods and statistical analyses, conduct original research, present at regional conferences, and learn to understand scientific journal articles. The program will expose you to many topics including human development, gender roles, memory, neurobiology, industrial psychology and behavior modification. You will also complete a year-long course in which you will design an independent research project under the guidance of expert faculty. Because every career is benefitted by an ample understanding of human behavior, many students often declare psychology as a second major or study psychology as a minor.... [-]