Amanda SapioThis fall, Chapman University is launching a new generation of undergraduate programs designed to prepare students for careers in sports media, business, real estate, psychology, and the creative industries. Together, the new and reimagined degrees reflect the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning, emerging technologies, and career preparation.
“Today’s students are looking for programs that connect disciplines, encourage innovation, and prepare them for careers that may not have existed a decade ago,” said Mike Ibba, Ph.D., executive vice president, provost, and chief academic officer. “These new and updated programs reflect Chapman’s commitment to evolving alongside our students and the industries they will help shape.” m
“TODAY’S STUDENTS ARE LOOKING FOR PROGRAMS THAT CONNECT DISCIPLINES, ENCOURAGE INNOVATION, AND PREPARE THEM FOR CAREERS THAT MAY NOT HAVE EXISTED A DECADE AGO.”
— Mike Ibba, executive vice president, provost, and chief academic officer
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CREATIVE AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES
Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI), a new major in Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, grew from one of Chapman’s most successful minors and is the only degree of its kind in the United States. The interdisciplinary program explores fashion, film, music, museums, publishing, gaming, and digital storytelling, connecting creative practice with entrepreneurship. It also includes an international partnership with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Courses include Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship; Foundations in Creative and Divergent Thinking; Fashion, Identity and Image; and Global Creative and Cultural Industries.
Kelli Fuery, Ph.D., will chair the CCI department beginning in fall 2026, and Patrick Fuery, Ph.D., will serve as director of the CCI Center.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The Argyros College of Business & Economics has restructured its business administration major to include four emphases: business economics, entrepreneurship, international business, and management. Students now declare an emphasis as part of the degree, reflecting growing demand for specialized expertise.
Accounting, previously offered as a standalone degree, is now a specialization within business administration, combining technical accounting skills with broader business preparation.
Three former emphases within business administration — finance, marketing, and real estate — have become standalone bachelor’s degrees, giving graduates credentials that more clearly reflect their areas of expertise.
- Bachelor of Science in Finance
The new finance degree prepares students for careers in investment strategy, corporate finance, and financial technology, with coursework in investments, international finance, and financial analytics.
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing
The marketing degree reflects the growing integration of branding, analytics, entertainment, and media strategy, with coursework spanning digital marketing, sports and entertainment marketing, and luxury and fashion marketing.
- Bachelor of Science in Real Estate
The real estate degree emphasizes financial modeling, analytics, investment, and law, preparing students for careers in one of Southern California’s most dynamic industries.
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN DOCUMENTARY, SPORTS MEDIA, AND JOURNALISM
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts has expanded and renamed its former Broadcast Journalism & Documentary program to offer emphases in documentary, sports media, and journalism.
The broader program reflects the rapid evolution of media and storytelling, giving students hands-on experience in streaming, live production, digital journalism, and sports content creation.
Courses include Sports Podcasting, Sports Documentary, Sports Analytics, and Live Sports Commentary & Production.
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN DESIGN
Formerly graphic design, the newly renamed design major reflects the expanding role designers play in technology, ethics, and human-centered innovation. The updated curriculum incorporates emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, through coursework such as AI Design and Research, and Designing Tomorrow: Ethics, Technology, and Social Vision.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY
Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences is introducing a bachelor of science in psychology to complement the college’s existing bachelor of arts degree. The new program emphasizes neuroscience, health science, and quantitative research methods, creating additional pathways for students interested in healthcare, behavioral research, and graduate study. Representative courses include Research Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychobiology of Health & Disease.
