The College of Arts & Science introduced a host of structural and academic changes for the 2025-26 academic year, including amended operational policies in the Office of Academic Services (OAS), which was formerly called the Office of Undergraduate Education, new degree programs and a different core curriculum. 

Expanded academic offerings include new majors in Integrative Biology and Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies and minors in Latin American and Latinx Studies, Caribbean Studies (CLACX), Museum Studies, Sports and Society and National Security.  

Celso Thomas Castilho, director of CLACX, said the creation of CLACX extends beyond simply an administrative merger.  

“It was important to put forth a new way of studying and thinking about Latin American and Latino studies that acknowledges the major impact and presence of a Latino diaspora globally,” Castilho said. “The emphasis there is [CLACX] is interdisciplinary and it’s also very mindful, intersecting with some of the vibrant, pre-professional programs such as MHS [and] the new sports and society minor.” 

William Burkhart, a sophomore, said the national security minor was appealing to him because he could channel his entrepreneurial drive and technical skills into real-world issues and build on experiences he gained through internships and summer jobs.  

“Over the past year, I’ve been building some software in the national security space, and then I did an internship this summer as well. The fact that I’m able to continue it through my academic career is really awesome, and I’m super excited about it,” Burkhart said.  

Additionally, nine new Bachelor of Science degrees, originally only offered through mixed academic programs in the college, are being offered in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Economics, Integrative Biology, Mathematics, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Neuroscience and Physics. Allison Schachter, senior associate dean of academic affairs, explained that the change is meant to benefit students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree within the College of Arts & Science. 

“[The change is] going to give students an opportunity to take the Bachelor of Science pathway that they might be interested in, which means students can choose B.A. versus B.S.,” Schachter said.  

A revised A&S College Core curriculum launched this fall, as well. Schachter emphasized key goals for the new program, including allowing students the ability to explore interests before they pursue more specialized studies in their chosen majors. 

“The idea [for the Core] was how we should envision a liberal arts education for the 21st century that was flexible and focused on capacities students would need to succeed in their majors and in their post-graduate life,” Schachter said. 

OAS launched a new website to centralize information and resources and moved locations to the first floor of Buttrick Hall. Schachter said these changes were meant to better accommodate students’ needs. 

“We want the student experience to be a smooth [one] and for students to be able to get the help they need when they need it and not have to struggle to access services, support, information and advice,” Schachter said.