From the Dean

Welcome to the New College Web site at Hofstra University. At New College we offer a unique liberal arts education that emphasizes the value of individualized learning, study across disciplines, and hands-on experience in and outside of the classroom. As a New College student, you'll be part of a close-knit community with small classes, enriched advisement, and a curriculum that reflects your particular interests and goals.

As you explore these Web pages, I invite you to review our four Bachelor of Arts degree plans, each of which allows you to shape your education by choosing the courses and subject areas you want to study. You'll want to learn about the advantages of our innovative block schedule, in which first-year students take only one course at a time over a three-and-a-half-week period, for a total of four block courses, sequentially, in a semester. In addition, most block courses include field trips within the New York City area. You'll therefore be able to draw on the diverse and abundant resources of a great urban center to gain direct experience with the topics you're studying in class.

As a first-year student or sophomore enrolled in any College or School within the University, you may take block courses for a semester or one academic year. You can then continue your studies in New College or any other unit of the University and apply credits that you've earned in block courses toward satisfying the University's English composition or distribution requirements.

Beginning in your sophomore year, in consultation with your adviser, you'll be able to choose your classes from the wide array of courses available throughout the University.

During your junior year, you'll enroll in internships and/or study abroad programs that provide you with firsthand experience in the fields you want to study.

In the fall semester of your senior year, you'll take an advanced seminar in your area of specialization. And, in the spring semester of that year, you'll complete a semester-long independent project you've designed with your adviser. In addition, throughout your stay at New College, you'll be building a portfolio of your work that you post on the New College website and can show to professional schools and prospective employers.

You should also know that New College courses are writing-intensive, focus on communication skills (including public speaking), and emphasize critical thinking as well as the development of strong research skills. All of this prepares you for the career you want to pursue in graduate education and the professional world.