• <a href="/live/image/gid/317/width/650/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image92495"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/317/width/500/height/240/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/317/width/500/height/240/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/317/width/500/height/240/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 800px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/317/width/800/height/383/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/317/width/800/height/383/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/317/width/800/height/383/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 1200px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/317/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/317/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 1201px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/317/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/317/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/92495_CAS-0220-Faculty_Student_Interaction-4650.rev.1679088712.jpg" alt="Students and faculty sitting together, talking." width="1440" height="690" data-max-w="2663" data-max-h="1778"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Studying the liberal arts means that all of your classes will be grounded in critical thinking, written and verbal communication, teamwork, and problem solving.</div>

Academic Programs

Our liberal arts education gives you the opportunity to take a wide variety of classes and explore connections across disciplines. Our academics are challenging and rigorous, but you will be supported every step of the way by your advisors, your professors, and your peers. And for those of you who are ready to think about your education long term, we offer pathways to and partnerships with our Graduate School of Education and Counseling and School of Law.

Majors and Minors at Lewis & Clark

Your Lewis & Clark education will provide you with the opportunity to explore a wide variety of subjects, and to dig deep into those you find most intriguing. Lots of interests? Double major, or add a minor or two. Your education in and out of the classroom will prepare you to see connections others miss and to creatively solve complex problems, skills that are valuable in all professions.

You will take approximately 32 courses during your time here, and you’ll have choices when it comes to every single one. Your classes will be split roughly into thirds: general education, major requirements, and electives.

The Liberal Arts Advantage

Studying the liberal arts means that all of your classes will be grounded in critical thinking, written and verbal communication, teamwork, and problem solving. You’ll draw on these skills throughout your life, no matter where you work or what you do. Our academics are also closely connected with our location in Portland. The Connect-Portland (PDX) designation is given to courses highlighting the experiential, experimental, and inquiry-based learning that is derived from our location. Lewis & Clark is the perfect place to get an education that will prepare you to take on the world.

Looking for graduate school programs →

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Students working in a lab.

Graduate-Level Research

Interested in conducting graduate-level research or getting published in a peer-reviewed journal? Our faculty are ready to partner up with you.


Students sitting in an auditorium.

Student-Led Symposium

Want to plan an academic symposium? We have five student-led symposia a year.


Exterior of Career Center with students walking outside.

College Internships

Looking for a paid internship while earning class credit? We have opportunities through our entrepreneurship minor, our Office of Sustainability, and our Career Center.


Aerial of campus with the Willamette River and Portland in the background.

Accelerated Degree Programs

Want even more of the Lewis & Clark experience? Through our 4-5-6 Commitment, we offer a five-year bachelor’s degree + master’s in teaching degree (MAT) with our graduate school and a six-year bachelor’s degree + law degree (JD) with our law school.


 

  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> I appreciate the range of academic possibilities available at L&C, no matter your declared path and major.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17735-kenan-imamovic">Kenan Imamovic BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I chose biology as my major because the major requirements fit well with pre-med requirements, and the class descriptions interested me. The STEM faculty I got to interact with also made the decision easy.</span></p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16642-zoe-sanderson">Zoë Sanderson BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Eugene, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> The professors in the computer science and mathematics department display true passion for their respective fields of study and have provided invaluable mentorship that has helped me tremendously in discovering opportunities that are right for me.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18356-sebastian-deprez">Sebastian DePrez BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Upland, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> Knowing the people in my biology major well has been so nice. I feel more comfortable and supported in upper-level courses because of that.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18331-arielle-bloom">Arielle Bloom BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Portland, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> BCMB integrates concepts from various disciplines to investigate life’s complex mechanisms. In addition, it offers endless opportunities for research and discovery.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20603-kiara-y-gonzalez">Kiara Y. González BA ’27</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Moca, Puerto Rico</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> I’m exploring different avenues of careers pertaining to sustainability and I’m always expanding my interdisciplinary knowledge in this field.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18473-rebeka-lazova">Rebeka Lazova BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Veles, Macedonia</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> My favorite class has been Key Monuments with Professor Benjamin David. He brought new and remarkable perspectives to Western art history. 10/10, would recommend!</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/14605-lucia-sheridan">Lucia Sheridan BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Saugatuck, Michigan</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> [Professor Donovan] has this way of guiding you in the right direction while still allowing you to retain your artistic autonomy through the structure of her class and the critiques.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/9108-blake-ashby">Blake Ashby BA ’20</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Holetown, Barbados</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> I like that the biology major allows me to take a wide variety of classes to explore all of my interests. The major is wildly applicable, which is great as I consider future career paths. All the professors in the department are amazing, and I love hearing about their work and passion for biology.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20604-clover-sinning">Clover Sinning BA ’26</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta"> Minneapolis, Minnesota</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My favorite class has to be The Art of War taught by</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Professor Bob Mandel</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The course mostly focused on in-class discussion guided by the professor. The class gave me the tools to facilitate constructive debate and the opportunity to hear new viewpoints.</span></p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16684-cami-hildum">Cami Hildum BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Corbett, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I love how engaged all of my</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">biology</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">professors are with the material. They are excited about the class and want their students to love it as much as they do.</span></p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18309-jemma-montgomery">Jemma Montgomery BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Minneapolis, Minnesota</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> I love how no matter what class I find myself in, I can connect it back to psychology. There is so much you can do in psychology, whether that is through therapy, research, or teaching. It feels like the opportunities are endless.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18362-cloe-moreno">Cloe Moreno BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">San Diego, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Modern Latin American History</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">inspired me to take more history classes and political science classes, which I’ve generally enjoyed, and the material we talked about has stuck with me.</span></p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16649-frankie-spurbeck">Frankie Spurbeck BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Minneapolis, Minnesota</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> BCMB is a major that involves many experiments, which I love. It allows me to release my imagination to set up a hypothesis and use my knowledge and effort to solve any difficulties I face.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18350-polly-ren">Polly Ren BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Shanghai, China</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> I love the class discussions and debates in international affairs because there are a lot of intelligent, but vastly different, opinions that come up. It’s very rousing and educational.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17800-jade-weihz">Jade Weihz BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Phillipsburg, New Jersey</span></p></blockquote>

Study Abroad With Lewis & Clark

Lewis & Clark study-abroad programs are immersive experiences in unexpected places, often with one of your own faculty members as your leader. Our programs are either a semester or full year long, giving you time to live new experiences and perspectives rather than simply to observe them. No matter your major—even the sciences—you will be encouraged to study overseas.

Our ... Our biology program in New Zealand is a great way for science majors to study overseas and earn classes toward their major.

Academics FAQ

Earn Your Degree With Lewis & Clark

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  • Boost 

    The majority of students who use tutoring report that they are doing fine academically in their courses, and they simply want to improve their understanding of the material.

  • 12:1 

    Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.

  • Top 100 

    Lewis & Clark is in the top 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023–24 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” list.

  • 29+33 

    Lewis & Clark offers 29 majors and 33 minors.

  • Free 

    Free peer tutoring is available for over 100 courses across 25+ subjects.


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