Xavier University launching five new majors for Fall 2025
The five new programs will expand the school’s offerings and provide students with more options for degrees that will allow them to work in emerging, in-demand fields.
Xavier University is introducing a total of five new degree programs with the Fall 2025 semester, significantly increasing the academic options for students beginning their college education. Each of the new programs, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, genetics, microbiology, and neuroscience, will prepare students for a future in emerging industries and provide them with in-demand skills.
According to an article on Xavier University’s website, Rachel Chrastil, who serves as the university’s provost and chief academic officer, was quoted as saying of new additions to the school’s roster of programs, "These new majors align with our commitment to providing students with a cutting-edge education that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We are excited to leverage our existing strengths in health sciences, computer science and the humanities to provide students with rigorous experiential preparation in high-demand fields while emphasizing the responsible use of science and technology, preparing our students to be leaders who make a difference."
Each of the new programs awards students with a bachelor degree upon completion, in either arts or science.
The Artificial Intelligence program awards a bachelor of arts degree and prepares students to work in career fields such as data science, software engineering, or AI researching. Many of the courses students will take will focus on the ethics of artificial intelligence uses, so that students will be equipped to deal with challenges that may arise. Courses include Computational Machine Learning, Socially Responsible Data Use, and AI Capstone, wherein students will take part in an artificial intelligence project from the design stage through the implementation stage and present their research and findings.
The Cybersecurity program gives students a bachelor of science degree and will prepare students for work as a cybersecurity engineer, risk analyst, or incident responder, among many other cybersecurity career paths. Students will take courses covering databases, cyber defense, data science, and more.
The Bachelor of Science in Genetics program builds upon biology and chemistry and prepares students for laboratory or research careers. Courses like Genetics/Genetics Laboratory, Medical Genetics, and Biostatistics will give students insight into genomics and modern genetics and can help prepare students to work as genetic counselors or forensic scientists.
The Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience program provides a pathway for students who are interested in both biology and psychology and studying the way the brain and the body interact. Careers in research and laboratories will be available to these graduates and the courses offered throughout the program will cover topics like Human Physiology, Neurobiology, and Cognitive Psychology.
Finally, the Microbiology program will award students with a bachelor of science degree. Students who pursue a microbiology major will be studying microorganisms through hands-on laboratory work and will have the opportunity to discover how infectious diseases occur and how food safety works. Students will take courses like Virology, Immunology, and Food Microbiology.
According to the program pages for these new academic programs, there are several student clubs available on Xavier University's campus that correspond to these and other STEM courses, which will offer students more opportunities to immerse themselves in these chosen majors. Some of the clubs offered include Minorities in STEM Succeeding Together, Biology Club, Computer Science Club, and the Psi Chi/Psychology Club.
Each program will be available at the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester.
For more information about Xavier University, visit the school’s website.