Majors, Minors & Programs

The Philosophy minor introduces students to the variety of areas of philosophical inquiry while developing the critical and creative skills central to philosophical analysis.  Students develop an understanding of many of the great philosophers, major philosophical issues, and methods of philosophical inquiry that shape our most fundamental forms of reflection upon human life and conduct.  The minor in Philosophy is intended to broaden the student’s education, to complement and encourage creative reflection in other courses and major programs, and to encourage the student’s ability to think logically and ethically, a useful skill in any professional environment.

The minor program in photography provides an opportunity for students to acquire the technical and conceptual skills to create photographs for personal expression or commercial and professional purposes and applications. Courses include analog and digital processes, processing and editing software, experimental methods, studio photography, as well as photographic history. The minor in photography is especially appropriate for students majoring in any of the arts disciplines, such as Graphic Design, as well as business specialties, such as advertising, marketing, communication, and any field that requires photographic images.

We like to think of political science as a way to deal with two perennial questions: Who governs? And to what ends? You’ll study the formal and informal political processes that shape public policy. You’ll examine the human side and the scientific side of political behavior. You’ll be able to make informed decisions about community politics, electoral politics, and advocacy. Put that all together, and you’re well positioned as a graduate with valuable skills in understanding complex systems and relationships as well as having political fluency.

If you aspire to pursue a career in medicine, this premed major program offers a comprehensive education in the essential sciences and the foundation necessary for the rigors of medical school, dental school, PA school, pharmacy school, and more.

Good writing skills are essential in any professional setting.  The Professional Writing minor is a suitable complement to any major as it helps students to enhance their written communications skills so they can gain a competitive edge in the workplace.  Students will learn the theories of writing and will gain experience in practical applications of writing concepts both in-class and out of class.  They will learn to write effectively and to produce print and electronic documents for a variety of audiences.

As one of the hottest emerging areas of nursing, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is a Master of Science program that prepares you to specialize in the diagnosis and management of patients with mental health conditions.
The PMHNP track offers a solid theoretical foundation and clinical experiences in a variety of patient care settings. As you study to become an advanced practice nurse, you will learn how to provide cutting-edge, evidence-based practice in a role that is in high demand, giving you skills to contribute to improving healthcare outcomes. Upon graduation you will be eligible to sit for the national PMHNP certification exam.

York College of Pennsylvania’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is a Master of Science program designed to prepare nurses to specialize in the diagnosis and management of patients with mental health conditions. The PMHNP track provides students with a solid theoretical foundation and clinical experiences in a variety of patient care settings.

A degree in Psychology from York College of Pennsylvania opens up a wide range of opportunities. Whether you’re interested in clinical practice, research, healthcare, community health, education, or any other field—this dynamic program allows you to pursue your passion. 

As you learn the fundamentals of research and work side-by-side with professors, you’ll examine the full scope of human behavior. Psychology courses and beyond-the-classroom experiences are grounded in the scientific method, ensuring that you develop skills in evidence-based decision-making. Internships and real-world research projects are core to our program, so you’ll graduate with meaningful experience in your field. 

The Psychology minor provides students with a broad foundation in the various subdisciplines of psychology. This understanding of human behavior and mental processes complements many majors, enhancing career opportunities in a number of professions, including education, nursing, and criminal justice.

Public administration refers to the institutions and individuals responsible for implementing government policies passed by legislative bodies. From the largest national and state programs spending millions of dollars to connect public schools to the Internet, to the smallest local ordinances requiring dogs to be walked on leashes, the administration of such decisions relies on the actions of bureaucrats. Public administration is bureaucracy in action. 

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree program at York College prepares students for a variety of career paths in the fields of population health and community health. Public Health courses will give you experience working on real-time issues with community partners, from your first semester in PH101: Introduction to Public Health to your senior-year capstone project. 

What if you could combine your love of history with a talent for communicating with the public? As a public history major, you’ll examine areas such as public historical interpretation, preservation and oral history to understand what makes up our public history. 

The Public Relations minor is designed to be of benefit to students planning a career in a field related to Public Relations, such as Marketing and Communications. The Public Relations minor provides students with  knowledge and skills needed in the practice of Public Relations.

The Reading Specialist Certificate provides educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to become certified as PK-12 Reading Specialists. This fully online certificate program encourages live interaction in your classes, while also allowing you the freedom to complete assignments at a time convenient to your busy schedule.

York College of Pennsylvania’s online Reading Specialist Master of Education (MEd) degree program is a perfect fit for educators hungry for a way to further promote literacy development in their students.

The Religious Studies minor introduces students to a variety of methods and theories appropriate to the academic study of religion.  Through examination of major religious traditions, texts, and themes, students gain an understanding of the complex ways that religions have influenced, and have been influenced by, cultures. The knowledge and skills gained in the Religious Studies minor can complement a range of majors, helping students to think critically, creatively, and sensitively about the religions and cultures that surround them.  Ultimately, students who minor in Religious Studies are better prepared to live and work in a religiously diverse world.

The Retailing minor is designed to be of benefit to students planning a career in or related to retailing operations and merchandising. Retail operations department management, store management, and district management. Merchandising, includes merchandise buying, merchandise display, and merchandise planning.

Students must attain a 2.0 or higher in each course that serves as a prerequisite to a subsequent Business course. (Refer to the course description for specific prerequisites.) Failure to attain a 2.0 in prerequisite courses may lengthen the time to graduation.

The Risk Management Certificate explores how to prepare for unforeseen developments in today’s rapidly evolving global economy. Designed for students from all backgrounds, the Risk Management Certificate teaches students how to identify, manage, and forecast risks individuals and businesses face. This certificate enables students to describe the process of risk management, risk aggregation, performance evaluation, capital allocation, and strategic decision-making.

The Anthony P. Campisi Risk Management minor explores how to prepare for unforeseen developments in today’s rapidly evolving global economy.  Designed for students from all majors, the Anthony P. Campisi Risk Management Minor teaches students how to identify, manage, and forecast risks faced by both individuals and businesses.  This program enables students to describe the process of risk management, risk aggregation, performance evaluation, capital allocation, and strategic decision-making.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Secondary Education Biology degree program at York College of Pennsylvania prepares you to become a certified biology teacher through Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)-approved coursework and rich student teaching experiences.

At York College, we believe a great biology teacher must have a well-rounded background in other scientific disciplines and a solid understanding of teaching and leading a classroom. Secondary Education Biology majors establish these solid foundations and receive personalized support to become certified teachers.

York is home to a community of expert educators, industry leaders, and driven students who support your journey to complete licensure requirements, pass certification exams, and become a biology teacher.

Open up the world of literature and writing to students as a secondary education English teacher. Just as you fell in love with reading the classics, writing a short story, or editing papers, you can similarly help middle and high schoolers develop as writers and critical readers.

You’ll study literature, writing, and film, ranging from classical to contemporary sources and taught by caring faculty. We balance that with extensive training in the best teaching methods for language study, reading, literature, writing, listening, and speaking. Field experience and student teaching help round out your education with real world experience. This degree prepares students for professional teacher certification in grades 7-12.

Always questioning. Always learning. That’s the approach you’ll need take to become an educator for the next wave of young scientists. We encourage our students to join clubs and professional organizations, attend science and educational conferences, read science journals and more — our program is much more than just what you learn in class.

Help effectively guide middle and higher schoolers through this core academic subject, including algebra, geometry, and calculus. This degree prepares students for professional teacher certification in grades 7-12.

We want you to confront the fundamental questions of life as you journey from student to secondary education social studies teacher. What connects us all? How does the past affect the future? What common threads can we see in politics? We help challenge you with intensive instruction in history, political science, geography, economics, psychology, sociology, and anthropology. And we layer that with mentoring faculty who prepare you as an educator with research-based teaching methods and concepts.

The Self-Designed Major allows York College students to construct an individualized program of study using existing courses offered by one or more academic departments. A student interested in pursuing such an option must have a 3.0 or higher grade point average, and two faculty members representing the disciplines included in the proposed major must agree to serve as self-designed major advisors. Finally, students must prepare a proposal for their plan of study that defines the title of their intended major, lists the courses they plan to include in their program, and provides a rationale for developing their self-designed major.

Sociology is the scientific study of social interaction and society. The sociological perspective enables students to understand how broader social forces, including cultural norms, social inequalities, and social structure, shape human experience. Sociologists employ varied theoretical perspectives and research methods to understand, generalize, and predict behavior, interaction, and institutional organization.

Our Spanish major's innovative curriculum recognizes the demand in practically every work setting for individuals who are competent in Spanish.

In the ever-expanding world of global business, it is becoming increasingly important to set yourself apart from the competition. Graduating with a Spanish Business degree from York College will do just that. Not only will you have an in-depth knowledge of modern business practices you’ll also possess fluency in the world’s second most spoken language.

The Spanish minor emphasizes the acquisition of skills in all aspects of the language - listening comprehension, reading, speaking, writing and cultural understanding.  Knowledge of Spanish gives students a competitive edge when entering careers that seek applicants who are able to communicate in the second most widely spoken language in the United States.  Students learn about cultural diversity and become more aware of their own world view and that of others in the United States and in the global community.

Courses in the Special Education program are designed to facilitate an understanding and appreciation of individual learner differences so enrolled students can best support the development and academic achievement of learners with disabilities in special education settings, both separate and inclusive. Students enrolled in the Special Education program become transformative classroom teachers able to support diverse populations of learners.