ADRIAN — Adrian College is expanding its student offerings by adding 13 new programs to its 2026-2027 undergraduate catalog.
Most recently, Adrian College added a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Communications, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Cybersecurity Management, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Public Health and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (Musical Theatre).
The college also recently announced the addition of a Bachelor of Business Administration in Artificial Intelligence for Business Strategy, a Bachelor of Arts in Applied AI and Data Science, a minor in AI and Ethical Leadership, and a minor in AI for Creativity and Design. The school also added a certificate in AI and the Future of Work and a certificate in Japanese Business Culture.
The certificate in AI and the Future of Work includes a course required for all Adrian College students.
“Our AIL 100, AI for Everyone, course was approved by the faculty as a general education course, meaning it is now required for all incoming students,” said Nathan Gordon, Adrian College dean of undergraduate studies and institutional effectiveness. “All of our incoming students are required to obtain some level of proficiency in artificial intelligence because that is an in-demand skill. We are recognized as the number one most innovative school in the Midwest for a reason.”
For the first time, Adrian College has been approved to offer two three-year degree programs, an Applied Bachelor of Business in Marketing and an Applied Bachelor of Business in Management.
“This is groundbreaking for us as an institution,” Gordon said. “We are one of the first small liberal arts colleges to do this.”
The core curriculum for those degree programs is very similar to the College’s B.B.A. in Marketing and B.B.A. in Management.
Adrian College also previously announced the creation of a new department of engineering and the hiring of a full-time professor, Khaled Almustafa.
“We are always looking for ways to strengthen our academic offerings,” Gordon said. “These new majors help ensure our students are prepared for the careers and challenges they’ll face after graduation.”
Associate professor Travis Erxleben said he is excited about the possibilities for the new architecture program, which is offered through the Department of Art and Design. He said the program offers a more direct, career-ready path for students interested in architecture, residential design, drafting and construction.
“Students can now graduate with a degree titled Architecture,” Erxleben said. “Recent salary and employment data continue to show strong earning potential and demand for architects both in Michigan and nationally.”
The Cybersecurity Management B.B.A. replaces Adrian College’s Cybersecurity Management B.A. Cybersecurity is one of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields, with more than 460,000 open positions in the U.S. alone. The program is business-oriented, giving students a well-rounded, practical education that extends beyond IT skills. The program teaches students how to build practical defenses against cyberattacks by hardening networks and devices, investigating breaches, and identifying and fixing vulnerabilities. It is designed to give students the skills to protect organizations in a digital world and prepare them for well-paying careers.
Assistant professor Anthony Knopps said the Political Communications major will allow students to navigate the rapidly evolving political arena at the intersection of policy and communication.
“It combines expertise and scholarship to provide a thorough grounding in political science, strategic communication, research and media,” Knopps said. “The interdisciplinary degree prepares students to navigate the fast-changing landscape of politics and communication. Our students will gain the knowledge, skills and ethical grounding to succeed as political advocates, policymakers, communication professionals and campaign executives around the world.”
Knopps said that a similar undergraduate major is not offered in the immediate area, with the closest program at Purdue University.
The Public Health program prepares students to make a meaningful impact on community health and public policy. Students gain a strong foundation in health systems, policy and leadership while developing the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to address today’s most pressing health challenges. Graduates are prepared for a wide range of careers, including health care administrator, health and safety engineer, environmental specialist and health educator. The Public Health program is meant for students who are passionate about health care but are not pursuing a clinical or medical career.
The degree in Vocal Performance (Musical Theatre) emphasizes comprehensive training in voice, musicianship, acting and commercial music skills, reflecting the evolving demands of the music theatre profession, Gordon said.
For more information, visit adrian.edu.
