Earlham College expanding degree options for students interested in business, computer science

Earlham College is adding majors in business and accounting and expanding course offerings in computer science to include four exciting new tracks.

Beginning in fall 2022, students can major in four popular concentrations in computer science, including game design, cybersecurity, computing for the social good and systems engineering and administration. A new business program that includes both a business major and an accounting major will replace the current global management program to better reflect the degree programs and coursework college-bound students are seeking in those disciplines.

“Earlham is thrilled to expand our offerings in business and computer science,” said President Anne Houtman. “Today’s students are particularly interested in these disciplines, and employers are looking for graduates with these skills — especially when they are embedded in a broad liberal arts education. Our students are driven to make the world a better place through their work, and we are excited to prepare the next generation of change-makers in business and computer science.”

“Today’s students are particularly interested in these disciplines, and employers are looking for graduates with these skills — especially when they are embedded in a broad liberal arts education.”

— Anne Houtman, Earlham president

These new offerings reflect Earlham’s focus on a next-generation liberal arts education, which combines the critical thinking and communications skills that are acquired through a traditional curriculum with the kind of specialized professional skills that employers are seeking. Like all academic programs at Earlham, these will be enhanced by the Epic Journey, an intentionally designed four-year program that integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences to prepare students for life after Earlham. The Epic Advantage is a signature aspect of that journey, guaranteeing up to $5,000 in funding for every student to complete an internship, research experience, or community-based project before graduation.

“Globally, nationally and right here in Indiana, companies and organizations are looking for college graduates with the technical and data skills that these programs provide,” Houtman said. “It is particularly important for us to meet the needs of students and businesses in our own backyard.”

Coursework in game design, systems engineering and administration, and cybersecurity will add new dimensions to Earlham’s existing computer science program. The computing for social good concentration is distinctive to Earlham and aligns with the College’s culture of inspiring students to become catalysts for good in a changing world.

For 25 years, Earlham has taken an interdisciplinary approach to business with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and management. The global management program has grown in recent years to offer new concentrations in supply chain, marketing and international business, and finance. The new majors in business and accounting will draw from this strong foundation.

Business students participate in internships with fast-growing companies and compete in business plan competitions both on and off campus. Under the new business department, a new accounting major will better serve students seeking to become CPAs.

“Earlham is nationally ranked for its classroom experience, so students in these new majors can expect best-in-class teaching, outstanding opportunities for experiential learning and highly personalized mentorship,” said Mike Deibel, interim dean of the faculty.

In addition to these new programs, Earlham has also added six new majors and two minors in the last two years. They include majors in data science, creative writing, social services, media and communications, and minors in quality science and equestrian management.