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  • <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>
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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.

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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.

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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 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>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> Computer science and mathematics is a difficult and competitive field, but it is one that can be used for creating positive change if applied in the right ways.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18323-farjad-madataly">Farjad Madataly BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Antananarivo, Madagascar</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> Environmental studies allows you to explore so many different directions and avenues. I enjoy feeling like I could study a wide variety of topics, all which allow me to follow my passion about combating environmental degradation.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/20614-izz-lamola">Izz Lamola BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Seattle, Washington</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> What I find most interesting about rhetoric and media studies is how broad it is. There are so many different and interesting classes that you can take with outstanding professors.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18353-bode-dalton">Bode Dalton BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Idaho Springs, Colorado</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> Lewis & Clark’s combination of academic excellence, community, and location made it a great fit for me.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17730-hashim-salman">Hashim Salman BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Amman, Jordan</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> Sociology and anthropology are at a confluence point between the sciences and humanities, which allows me to engage with both perspectives. This multidimensional perspective is a very thought-provoking way to approach just about any issue and keeps me on my toes.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18349-cooper-kroll">Cooper Kroll BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Seattle, Washington</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> Economics can study gender issues, immigration, poverty, world health, and practically any social, political, or personal issue where people make decisions about their behavior within a larger system.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19038-lena-essak">Lena Essak BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Milwaukee, Wisconsin</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> I believe being exposed to a number of ideas or techniques is what enhances the liberal arts education.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/9519-cristian-cortes-cortes">Cristian Cortes Cortes BA ’20</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Gervais, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> My political science professors reached out to me about the summer research opportunity, and I was lucky to have them apply for a grant to fund my research assistant position.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18459-valerie-naborska">Valerie Naborska BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Santa Cruz, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> As a full-time summer research intern, I am studying the ways in which cells have evolved to selectively turn on and off genes under different conditions. The best part has been learning to conduct scientific research independently.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18460-jack-waite">Jack Waite BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Bakersfield, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> I find it fascinating and quite liberating how the teaching of art history at L&C breaks out of the box of fine arts and leaves space for much-needed critique and analysis.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18330-mithila-tambe">Mithila Tambe BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Pune, Maharashtra, India</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> I believe my summer research with Professor Campion will give me greater insight into what career options may look like for me as a history student.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18454-maddie-selby">Maddie Selby BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Portland, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p></p><div class="lw_profiles_329"><p> I am endlessly grateful for the opportunities that the political science department has provided to its students.</p></div><p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18509-madeleine-macwilliamson">Madeleine MacWilliamson BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Campbell, California</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.

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Earn Your Degree With Lewis & Clark

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  • #1 

    Lewis & Clark is number one on Niche’s 2024 list of Best College Campuses in Oregon.

  • Five 

    L&C’s five academic student-led symposia reflect our commitment to inquiry, innovation, collaboration, and global engagement.

  • Free 

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

  • 4-5-6 

    Lewis & Clark’s 4-5-6 Commitment can help you make the most of your future.

  • Leader 

    The 2023 Fiske Guide to College listed Lewis & Clark as the “West Coast’s leader in international and study abroad programs.”

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Bruce Suttmeier, Dean of the College, Associate Professor of Japanese

Bruce Suttmeier

Dean of the College, Associate Professor of Japanese
casdean@lclark.edu
503-768-7100

Office Hours: Mondays-Fridays 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m.
Albany Quadrangle, 201