New majors, minors and more begin in fall 2025
Carolina’s latest academic options include a minor in risk management and a graduate program in Africana studies.
As the new academic year gets underway, UNC-Chapel Hill is introducing a variety of new concentrations, majors and programs aimed at enriching the academic experience and addressing students’ evolving needs.
From an interdisciplinary graduate program to innovative undergraduate offerings, these new academic paths are rooted in the latest research, global perspectives and real-world applications. They reflect the University’s commitment to fostering intellectual growth and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
African, African American and diaspora studies graduate program in Africana studies, Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy
The new M.A./Ph.D. program in African and African diaspora studies offers an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to graduate education that bridges the traditional divides between African studies and African American/diaspora studies. This program examines the experiences and agency of people of African descent through historical, cultural and comparative lenses, with a particular focus on the effects of globalization on Africa and the African diaspora. Students will engage with complex global issues while addressing critical gaps in current scholarship on the transnational and historical experiences of African-descended peoples. The program offers a broad geographical scope, covering Africa, North America, South America and the Caribbean, while drawing from diverse academic disciplines, including history, anthropology, political science, literature, ethnomusicology, performance studies and more.
Community and global public health major, Bachelor of Science in Public Health
The BSPH program in community and global public health prepares students to work in partnership with local and global communities to identify, assess and address health challenges while advancing health equity. Recognizing that health challenges and their solutions transcend borders, the program emphasizes community-driven, sustainable health interventions that address a broad range of health behaviors in local and global settings.
Management graduate program, Master of Science
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School’s very first Master of Science in Management (MSM) cohort arrived on campus in August.
The MSM class includes 39 students whose undergraduate majors range from economics, math, science, humanities to communications and more. They represent 16 different institutions, including 22 students from Carolina. Thirteen students are current or former Carolina varsity student athletes, representing nine sports.
New concentrations in data science major, Bachelor of Arts
The data science major, launched in fall 2024, allows students to customize the application of data science knowledge according to discipline-specific domain concentrations. For fall 2025, new concentrations have been developed in the following areas:
- Data journalism
- Economic analysis
- Quantitative language science
- Urban data analytics
New concentrations in data science major, Bachelor of Science
The data science curriculum provides in-depth exposure to quantitative topics and opportunities for direct application through four-course concentrations, upper-level electives, mentored research and internship opportunities. New concentrations have been developed in the following areas:
- Advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Decision analytics
- Health informatics
- Mathematical foundations
- Operations research
- Quantitative language science
- Sports analytics
- Statistical learning and data analysis
- Urban analytics
Persian studies concentration in Asian studies major, Bachelor of Arts
The Persian studies concentration provides students with a strong foundation in the Persian language while offering broad exposure to the cultures, histories and literatures of the Persian-speaking world. “The Persian studies concentration is a program designed to deepen students’ understanding of the Persian language, literature and culture,” said program director Shala Adel. “Developed in response to growing student interest and global engagement with the Persian-speaking world, the concentration is expected to enrich cross-cultural dialogue and open new academic and professional pathways.” Students develop language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking through a sequenced curriculum that emphasizes authentic materials, including modern and classical literature, media and film.
Risk management minor
The risk management minor is a versatile, interdisciplinary program designed to blend the theoretical and applied aspects of risk management and insurance for upper-level undergraduate students. “One of the focuses of the new Institute for Risk Management and Insurance is leading the minor in risk management, which equips students with the tools to understand, assess and manage the complex financial risks facing today’s world, from climate change to cyber threats to pandemics,” said program director Greg Characklis. Students can expect hands-on application through computational risk modeling, data analysis, case studies and group projects involving risk assessment and management that are accompanied by written reports and oral presentations.
To view all academic programs at Carolina, visit the 2025-26 Academic Catalog or the UNC-Chapel Hill academics site.
