About A&S
The College of Arts and Science is the largest, oldest, and most academically diverse school at Vanderbilt University. Founded in 1875, the college houses 36 different academic departments, offers more than 100 majors and minors, and supports 20 graduate programs. With approximately 250 staff, 650 faculty, and 4,000 students, the college is a thriving community of curious educators and learners who want to make a positive impact on the world. Learn more about A&S and our community.
Mission
The College of Arts and Science is a collaborative, diverse, and interdisciplinary college with a deep commitment to learning, discovery, and service to solve the most pressing problems facing society.
What We Do
- We provide world-class teaching to talented and curious students.
- We conduct cutting-edge research, discovery, and creative expression that advances our understanding of the world around us.
- We cross traditional boundaries across the arts and the sciences to make a meaningful and positive impact on society.
Structure of the College
The College of Arts and Science is led by the dean. The Dean’s Office leadership team consists of the dean, vice dean and senior associate deans, and several staff members representing different work areas. In addition, the Office of Undergraduate Education is managed by several assistant deans.
The Dean’s Office also has five Senior Administrative Officers (SAOs) who represent every unit in the college. To find your SAO, look at the “Dean’s Office Lead” column in the Staff Directory.
A&S is the home to 36 academic units across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Each academic unit is run by a chair (in departments) or a director (in programs). Faculty members are housed within specific units and can be affiliated with multiple units (or other schools across the university). Staff members either support one specific unit or support all the units within a specific building.
| Humanities | Social Sciences | Natural Sciences |
| African American & Diaspora Studies | Anthropology | Biological Sciences |
| Art | Business Studies | Chemistry |
| Asian Studies | Center for Latin American, Caribbean & Latinx Studies | Communication of Science & Technology |
| Cinema & Media Arts | Climate & Environmental Studies | Earth & Environmental Sciences |
| Classical & Mediterranean Studies | Economics | Mathematics |
| Communication Studies | Medicine, Health & Society | Neuroscience |
| Culture, Advocacy & Leadership | Political Science | Physics & Astronomy |
| English | Public Policy Studies | Psychology |
| European Studies | Sociology | |
| French & Italian | ||
| Gender & Sexuality Studies | ||
| German, Russian & East European Studies | ||
| History | ||
| History of Art & Architecture | ||
| Jewish Studies | ||
| Philosophy | ||
| Religious Studies | ||
| Spanish & Portuguese | ||
| Theatre |
Our Place in the University
Vanderbilt is a leading global research university. Vanderbilt is governed by a Board of Trust and led by a chancellor. The university’s leadership team consists of a provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and several other vice chancellors representing various work units. The deans of the schools report to the provost.
In total, there are 10 schools and colleges at Vanderbilt: four undergraduate schools and six graduate/professional schools. A&S offers degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Undergraduate Schools:
- College of Arts and Science
- Blair School of Music
- Peabody College of Education and Human Development
- School of Engineering
Graduate/Professional Schools:
- Divinity School
- Law School
- Owen Graduate School of Management
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing
Learn more about Vanderbilt University.