About Our College

Experience the power of the arts and sciences

David Brown, Dean, Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences — *Dean David S. Brown, PhD*

With all of the challenges facing modern society, the demand for a multi-faceted curriculum and an approach to problem solving that seamlessly integrates the arts and sciences has never been more important. This integration is not just desired by future employers, it is the best and most apparent way forward as we work to bring new solutions to the world’s most complex problems.

P.I.E., supported by faculty members, and relevant to the challenges facing our students today, is the philosophical credo of The College of Arts and Sciences, and encompasses the way in which our community approaches academic studies, research and future careers:

Practical
Interdisciplinary
Experiential

The practical, problem-solving education infused with applied methods provided by the College of Arts and Sciences presents an abundance of relevancy in a modern, global economy. It is no longer enough to teach from just one perspective, as the world we live in requires a more nuanced approach.

The integrated curriculum of our college marries the arts and sciences, producing a more well-rounded, better prepared “bilingual” student who is able to approach the complexities of society from a variety of perspectives. Drexel prides itself on offering experiential opportunities early and often that provide students with the practical knowledge they need immediately upon graduation. The College of Arts and Sciences offers a variety of community-based learning classes, study abroad opportunities, research fellowships, lab and field work as well as Drexel’s trademark Co Op experiences.

It is with these principles that we move our college into the future. By staying nimble, but holding true our values, we continue to provide an award-winning education that prepares our students for the world outside of the university walls.

Get In Touch

The College of Arts and Sciences looks forward to your questions and ideas. Please email us at coas@drexel.edu.

The Dean's Bookshelf

Learn more about the dynamic intersection between the arts and sciences. Here are some recent favorites from my bookshelf.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS DEPARTMENTS & CENTERS RESEARCH & EXPERIENCE RECENT NEWS

Meet Our Community

By the Numbers

100%

of Drexel University students take courses in the College of Arts and Sciences.

2,308

students are currently enrolled in the college. In the spring 2024 term, the College of Arts and Sciences had 1,951 undergraduate and 357 graduate students enrolled.

98%

of College of Arts and Sciences students were employed on co-op in 2021-2022, and 70% of these positions were paid.

18,600

College of Arts and Sciences graduates form a powerful, global alumni network.

Recent News

A person writes in a notebook beside a cup of coffee

$25,000 Gift Supports Scholarships for MFA in Creative Writing

Thanks to a recent gift from Robert “Rob” Silverman, BS ’69, Drexel’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program will be more accessible to the next generation of writers. The MFA program’s work toward fostering creativity and excellence in writing inspired Silverman’s gift, which pledges $25,000 over the next five years to fund MFA Merit Scholarships.

Physics Alum Awarded for Doctoral Thesis Research with IceCube Neutrino Observatory

Drexel Physics alum Stephen Sclafani, PhD '23, is the recipient of the American Physical Society's Ceclia Payne-Gaposchkin Doctoral Dissertation Award in Astrophysics.

The Department of Criminology and Justice Studies hosted a Reentry Simulation

Students Experience Life After Incarceration Through Reentry Simulation

Drexel’s Department of Criminology and Justice Studies, in collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, hosted a Reentry Simulation that allowed participants to step into the shoes of someone transitioning from incarceration back into society.

Undergraduate Research Prepares Physics Major for Career in Sustainable Energy

Drexel physics major Alyssa Luby will present her research on the Beam Lifetime (BL3) Experiment at the upcoming Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Support (ASURS) symposium.

Dean David Brown with BEES Department Head Andrew Smith

Discussions with the Dean: Meet BEES Department Head Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith, PhD, head of the Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES), sat down with Dean David Brown, PhD, to discuss his research, the future of BEES and the unique relationship between philosophy and environmental studies.

Drexel Justice Collaborative's first event

Drexel's Kline School of Law and College of Arts and Sciences Launch Justice Collaborative

The Drexel Justice Collaborative (DJC) is a lab for students and faculty across disciplines to learn about and get involved in justice-related research and community engagement projects.

2025 Kaczmarczik Lecture and Science Fair Explores the Jazz of Physics

Drexel’s Department of Physics welcomed physicist and jazz musician Stephon Alexander to deliver the 24th Kaczmarczik Lecture.

College of Arts and Sciences Students Honored with Teagle Civic Impact Award for Research Contributions

Drexel’s Pennoni Honors College recently established the Teagle Civic Impact Award to honor student researchers for groundbreaking research that significantly contributes to the public good.

Psychology Major Presents at Harvard National Collegiate Research Conference

Onisha Rahman presented a research proposal at the National Collegiate Research Conference at Harvard University.

Physics Professor Named Emerging Scholar by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education Magazine

Associate Teaching Professor of Physics Christina Love, PhD, is one of only 15 scholars across the country featured in Diverse: Issues In Higher Education’s 2025 class of Emerging Scholars.