Brandeis University
11/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/17/2025 12:25
New majors at Brandeis blend rigor and career pathways
Brandeis Stories
New majors at Brandeis blend rigor and career pathways
November 17, 2025
Following a restructuring of the university over the summer into distinct but cross-collaborative schools, Brandeis rolled out new majors that enable students to take advantage of interdisciplinary opportunities and develop durable skills the modern workplace demands.
The engineering science major will welcome its first cohort of majors in fall 2026, along with three other recently approved majors: communication and media studies; philosophy, politics and economics; and quantitative economics. The new programs are being introduced in alignment with Brandeis' new vision for the liberal arts, which includes an intense focus on career readiness.
Communication and Media Studies
The interdisciplinary communication and media studies major engages students in the theory and practice of communication, encompassing message creation, form and content; technologies and channels of delivery; reception and interpretation; and larger impacts on society and culture. The major prepares students to pursue graduate studies or careers in an array of fields, including arts and entertainment, marketing and public relations, and advocacy and policy work.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
The philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) major provides an integrated interdisciplinary framework for understanding how moral values, political institutions and economic forces shape the world. Students learn to analyze complex problems from multiple perspectives and communicate their ideas with clarity and rigor. The program prepares graduates for advanced study and careers in law, public policy, consulting, finance and other fields where analytical insight and persuasive reasoning are central.
Quantitative Economics
The quantitative economics (QE) major offers students a rigorous, STEM-designated program of study that emphasizes quantitative skills and mathematical modeling tools in economics. Integrating courses in mathematics with advanced economics courses in economic theory, econometrics and machine learning, the QE major is designed for students seeking to combine their study of economics with more advanced data analysis and modeling skills. The QE major prepares students for quantitative careers in finance, business and law, and provides the advanced training in econometrics and quantitative methods necessary to pursue rigorous master's degree and doctoral programs in economics, finance and statistics.
Engineering Science
The engineering science major provides an interdisciplinary engineering education grounded in the liberal arts. The program is designed to be ABET-accredited, combining hands-on, project-based courses in engineering methods and engineering science with a strong foundation in math and science, enriched by the liberal arts core curriculum. Through specialized courses and a senior capstone design project, students are able to develop a concentration in an area reflective of Brandeis' strengths, including biomedical engineering, environmental engineering and materials science. This major prepares students for a broad set of engineering careers, particularly ones with cross-functional applications and which demand close collaboration between engineers and non-engineers. Brandeis engineering majors will also be prepared to pursue further specialized training in graduate school.
The engineering science major will welcome its first cohort of majors in fall 2026, along with three other recently approved majors: communication and media studies; philosophy, politics and economics; and quantitative economics. The new programs are being introduced in alignment with Brandeis' new vision for the liberal arts, which includes an intense focus on career readiness.
Communication and Media Studies
The interdisciplinary communication and media studies major engages students in the theory and practice of communication, encompassing message creation, form and content; technologies and channels of delivery; reception and interpretation; and larger impacts on society and culture. The major prepares students to pursue graduate studies or careers in an array of fields, including arts and entertainment, marketing and public relations, and advocacy and policy work.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
The philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) major provides an integrated interdisciplinary framework for understanding how moral values, political institutions and economic forces shape the world. Students learn to analyze complex problems from multiple perspectives and communicate their ideas with clarity and rigor. The program prepares graduates for advanced study and careers in law, public policy, consulting, finance and other fields where analytical insight and persuasive reasoning are central.
Quantitative Economics
The quantitative economics (QE) major offers students a rigorous, STEM-designated program of study that emphasizes quantitative skills and mathematical modeling tools in economics. Integrating courses in mathematics with advanced economics courses in economic theory, econometrics and machine learning, the QE major is designed for students seeking to combine their study of economics with more advanced data analysis and modeling skills. The QE major prepares students for quantitative careers in finance, business and law, and provides the advanced training in econometrics and quantitative methods necessary to pursue rigorous master's degree and doctoral programs in economics, finance and statistics.
Engineering Science
The engineering science major provides an interdisciplinary engineering education grounded in the liberal arts. The program is designed to be ABET-accredited, combining hands-on, project-based courses in engineering methods and engineering science with a strong foundation in math and science, enriched by the liberal arts core curriculum. Through specialized courses and a senior capstone design project, students are able to develop a concentration in an area reflective of Brandeis' strengths, including biomedical engineering, environmental engineering and materials science. This major prepares students for a broad set of engineering careers, particularly ones with cross-functional applications and which demand close collaboration between engineers and non-engineers. Brandeis engineering majors will also be prepared to pursue further specialized training in graduate school.
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