New academic programs for the 2025–2026 year add to the advantage for students in the College of Arts and Sciences, preparing them to succeed in today’s career landscape and the flexibility to grow with future job markets. Courses throughout these major and minor programs expand the possibilities for every student’s unique educational path as they build their passion into expertise and discover innovative collaborations that make life and lives better across Tennessee and around the world.

These new programs include Department of Geography and Sustainability courses in the applications of uncrewed aerial systems, or drones. Students can earn either a certificate or a minor in the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively use drones in a variety of business and public sector domains.

Long-standing political science and sociology coursework is now available through Vols Online offerings for distance education students who look to grow their knowledge of the theory and practice of government or areas like criminal justice and environmental issues.

The wide array of programs within the college’s Consortium on Social and Cultural Inquiry (CoSCI) invite Vols to generate and connect ideas for new approaches and finding common ground across different viewpoints and contexts. These interdisciplinary programs include new ways of studying topics like animal behavior, computational social sciences, international cultures and politics, interactive storytelling, and more.

“These innovative courses and degree programs connect classroom insight to real-world experience, helping our students ignite their ambitions and build strong, personalized career foundations,” said Robert Hinde, Interim Executive Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “These new offerings expand on the arts and sciences advantage—helping Vols hone their individual voice, analyze information, and understand a variety of viewpoints.”