Charting an uncommon course in higher education for more than 160 years, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education.
Lawrence's 165 professors devote all of their teaching energy to - and share their research opportunities with - the 1500 undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Holding one of the lowest student to faculty ratios (9:1) in the entire nation, Lawrence is devoted to Engaged Learning as the most effective way to prepare students for lives of personal fulfillment and professional accomplishment. It is a demanding approach to education for students who demand much of themselves. Engaged Learning takes place in the classroom, the residence hall, the community and all our off-campus and international programs. It is what characterizes a Lawrence education and distinguishes Lawrentians. Using this engaging approach to learning, Lawrence helps students develop the abilities that are highly valued by graduate schools as well as employers. Among these are the ability to solve problems, communicate effectively, work collaboratively and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Despite being a small institution, Lawrence is considered a "university" because it has two degree-granting bodies under one roof: a college of liberal arts and sciences (home to about 75% of its students) and a conservatory of music.
The Lawrence Conservatory of Music is based on the belief that to achieve one’s full musical potential, a musician needs to go beyond the practice room and nurture the intellectual growth offered through the breadth and depth of a liberal arts education. In this ever-changing world, consummate musicianship needs to be paired with intellectual agility, cross-disciplinary problem solving, bold creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset. As a world-class conservatory within a world-class liberal arts university, it is uniquely positioned to deliver the holistic music education required for the 21st century.
Students can major in performance, music education, or theory/composition. About two thirds of classes will be in music, including lessons, classes such as music theory and history, and ensembles, while non-music classes will comprise the remaining third of your studies. Lawrence also offers a combined BA/B.Mus degree program, an innovative course of study that allows students to immerse themselves in music and at least one other field of study at a very high level. In this rigorous five year program, about half of the coursework will be in music, with the other half in general elducation courses and a second major.
The areas of study at the college include: Anthropology, Art & Art History, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Ethics, Chemistry, Classics, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, East Asian Studies, Economics, Education, English, Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, Film Studies, French & Francophone Studies, Freshman Studies, Gender Studies, Geology, German, Government, History, International Studies, Japanese, Latin American Studies, Linguistics, Mathematics, Music, Natural Science, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Russian, Spanish, Theatre Arts, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and University Courses.
