Colleges

Students choose their programs of study from Towson University’s academic colleges:

Once students have determined a program of study, they become members of and graduates from, the academic college administering the program.

Students in teacher education programs may have requirements listed in more than one college. Teacher education programs are screened, requiring successful completion of specific prerequisite courses and attaining a minimum cumulative GPA, to be considered for admission.

Students interested in pursuing a career in teacher education should review the Standards for Teacher Education for more information. 

College of Business and Economics 

The College of Business and Economics (CBE) develops high-quality, innovative, and inclusive programs and resources, connects individuals to opportunities, and transforms students who will have a positive impact within Maryland and beyond. The CBE embraces a culture of striving for excellence, learning, ethical behavior, respect, civility, accountability, diversity, and inclusion.

CBE offers three specialized Master of Science (M.S.) programs and three Post-Baccalaureate Certificates (PBC), each designed to meet current industry needs and prepare students for success long into the future:

  • Graduates of the M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services program are ready to sit for the CPA or pursue careers in other areas, such as management accounting, internal auditing, accounting for governmental or other nonprofit entities, and management consulting.
  • Graduates of the unique, STEM designated M.S. in Marketing Intelligence will be qualified for jobs such as marketing intelligence analyst, digital marketing manager, marketing research analyst or customer insight specialist.
  • Graduates of the STEM designated M.S. in Supply Chain Management will be equipped to pursue career paths such as purchasing specialist, contract administrator, procurement officer, supply chain management professional, business analyst, or demand manager.
  • The PBC in Interactive Marketing focuses on digital marketing skills and strategies and offers an introduction to database structure. After completing the certificate, students then have the option to pursue the M.S. in Marketing Intelligence.
  • The PBC in Supply Chain Management is designed to develop supply-chain professionals who can manage, analyze, and direct activities across the entire supply chain. After completing the certificate, students then have the option to pursue the M.S. degree.
  • Graduates of the PBC in Project, Program and Portfolio Management program will be able to build and further their careers in positions such as project manager, program manager and cost estimator, among others. Students have the opportunity to complete courses in a combination of face-to-face, online and blended formats.

TU’s Accounting and Business Administration programs are accredited by AACSB International—the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—the highest distinction that business schools can receive worldwide.

College of Education

The mission for professional education at TU is to prepare the next generation of diverse educators and leaders committed to meeting the individual needs of all learners, to advance scholarship around significant priorities in the profession, to collaborate with and advocate on behalf of children, families, and communities, and to develop and implement innovative solutions to educational challenges. The professional education unit is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.

TU has a distinguished history in the preparation of classroom teachers, educational specialists, and school leaders. Several graduate programs in the College of Education lead to initial or advanced certification in teaching, school administration, gifted and creative education, reading, and school library media. Master’s degree programs in early childhood education, elementary education, special education, and secondary education offer advanced training for professionals. Doctoral and master’s degrees are offered in the area of instructional technology and design for educators as well as individuals in other professional fields. The College also offers several post-baccalaureate certificates in areas such as special education, online learning and teaching, English language learners, and community engagement.

Programs of study within the College of Education engage in continuous improvement to provide students at all levels with a professional education and graduate experience based on the most current research models of best practice and the needs of the larger professional community. Faculty teaching in the education graduate programs are active scholars in their fields, leading federal and state research initiatives. Opportunities to conduct research, publish, and present with faculty are available for graduate students, especially in the doctoral program.

College of Fine Arts and Communication

Recognized as a center for arts, media and communication in Maryland, the College of Fine Arts and Communication educates talented individuals to pursue careers in the arts, media and communication. Additionally, the college offers all TU students the opportunity to participate in both academic and artistic experiences in these areas.

Because the creative process involves close dialogue between teacher and student, programs are structured to allow for individual attention. All programs provide a broad liberal education as well as specialized professional training.

TU holds national accreditation for several programs in the college: the National Association of Schools of Dance for the B.F.A. degree program in dance; the National Association of Schools of Music for the degree programs in music; the National Association of Schools of Theatre for the degree programs in theatre arts; and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for the teacher certification programs in art education, dance education, and music education.

College of Health Professions

The departments of the College of Health Professions have the common goal of preparing students to provide health and wellness-related services designed to improve the quality of life. The College is comprised of the departments of Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science, and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Graduates of professional entry to practice programs are eligible to sit for their respective ­licensure or certification examinations.

A major in the College of Health Professions can prepare students for one of many health care and wellness-related careers. Some examples include nursing, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, public health, health care management, gerontology, athletic training, physical education, exercise science, and sport management.

College of Liberal Arts

The largest of TU’s colleges, the College of Liberal Arts includes humanities and social science disciplines, as well as interdisciplinary programs. Students in the College of Liberal Arts explore ideas and values as they discover the complexity of cultures and institutions. They learn to think critically, communicate effectively, organize and analyze data, conduct research, solve problems, work as members of a team and practice civility. Learning to recognize, understand and appreciate the values and perspectives of a wide range of diverse cultures, students are well prepared to engage the globally interconnected and interdependent world in which they find themselves. By making connections and thinking across disciplines, students are well prepared for careers and opportunities that are available now and for those that will emerge in the future.

Learning inside and outside the classroom, students develop the skills to work independently through a range of internships and study abroad and away programs. They also have opportunities to collaborate with professors on research projects and publish creative or scholarly work in campus publications.

Focused on educating the whole person, a liberal arts education liberates the mind, fosters self-reliance, and encourages intellectual risk taking. Graduates are prepared to engage the complexities of their world locally, nationally, and globally. They acquire the habits of the mind and heart to become life-long learners.

Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics 

The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics is committed to developing dynamic and confident graduate students who are well prepared to respond creatively to the demands and challenges of our times. The college’s growing reputation for excellence in graduate education is built upon the philosophy of learning by doing. Students work closely with faculty, conducting research on important and timely topics, and receiving quality instruction in small classes. The Fisher College welcomes both full-time and part-time students with diverse backgrounds pursing their career and educational goals.

Faculty members are active in pure and applied research; many are widely published and receive external funding in support of their research. Faculty research programs include nanotechnology, astrophysics, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, forensic science, ecology, biodiversity, geology, statistics, pure and applied mathematics, computer science, and many others. Many faculty members work in collaboration with industry and government labs, and their work is supported by grants from major funding agencies. Faculty members are also involved in a range of outreach activities, providing professional development programs for teachers and in service to the community that draws on their professional experience.