Northern Arizona University Academic Programs and Research
Northern Arizona University (NAU) provides a comprehensive educational ecosystem designed to foster innovation, research, and professional growth. With a diverse array of academic offerings across eight established colleges—and a ninth, the College of Medicine, currently in development—NAU serves as a hub for higher learning in the Southwest.
The university's academic breadth is reflected in its extensive catalog, featuring more than 130 undergraduate degree programs, over 80 master's degree programs, and approximately 20 doctoral programs. Additionally, students can pursue specialized knowledge through 50 undergraduate and 40 graduate certificates.
Key Facts
- Extensive Offerings: Over 230 combined undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
- Top Undergraduate Majors: Psychological Sciences, Nursing, and Biomedical Science lead in enrollment.
- Research Standing: Ranked No. 178 in the National Science Foundation (NSF) research rankings for FY2021.
- Specialized Facilities: Home to the Phoenix Bioscience Core and the Lowell Discovery Telescope partnership.
- Accreditation: The W.A. Franke College of Business is AACSB International accredited.
Colleges and Academic Disciplines
College of Arts and Letters
The College of Arts and Letters (CAL) is a vibrant center for creativity and scholarship, housing departments such as the School of Art, English, History, Philosophy, and the Kitt School of Music. CAL oversees the Clara M. Lovett Art Museum and the Martin-Springer Institute, which promotes lessons from the Holocaust. It also hosts the university's doctoral program in Applied Linguistics and produces over 300 annual performances and exhibitions.
College of Education
Focusing on the full spectrum of teaching—from early childhood to higher education—the College of Education offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Key areas of study include STEM Education, Educational Leadership, and Educational Psychology. Notably, the college manages the Diné Dual Language Teachers Professional Development Project, helping proficient Diné (Navajo) speakers meet teacher licensing requirements.
Steve Sanghi College of Engineering
Named following a $10 million donation in 2024, this college offers 19 undergraduate majors and 13 master's programs. It encompasses departments for Civil and Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, and the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems.
Students utilize advanced research labs, including the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute and the Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications.
College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences
This college integrates science and mathematics to address environmental challenges. It is particularly renowned for its Astronomy and Planetary Science program, benefiting from Flagstaff's status as one of only 22 Dark-Sky cities worldwide and direct access to the Lowell Observatory. Faculty contributions include the discovery of trans-Neptunian objects (TNO) like Eris and Sedna, and leadership in the NASA DART planetary defense mission.
College of Health and Human Services and Nursing
The College of Health and Human Services prepares professionals in fields such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physician Assistant Studies. Many advanced degrees are pursued at the Phoenix Bioscience Core, a 30-acre research and clinical facility in downtown Phoenix. In 2023, the university also established the College of Nursing as a freestanding entity and announced the creation of the College of Medicine.
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
This college covers a wide array of disciplines, including Anthropology, Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Psychological Sciences. It houses the Civic Service Institute, which connects students to national service volunteer opportunities, and the Institute for Human Development, which promotes the value of individuals with disabilities.
W.A. Franke College of Business
Renamed in 2007 after a $25 million gift from Bill Franke, this AACSB-accredited college offers seven BSBA degrees via the Business Professional Program (BPP) and an MBA program. The LEED-Gold certified Franke building provides a modern, environmentally friendly space for students.
The college also operates the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), ranked as the #1 hospitality program in Arizona and 22nd in the U.S. by the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research.
Specialized Academic Programs
Honors College
As the first Honors program in Arizona, this college is open to all majors. It offers enriched coursework, study abroad opportunities, and the Grand Canyon Semester. First-year students may reside in the Honors Hall, a dedicated living-learning community.
Graduate College
The Graduate College supports over 80 master's and 20 doctoral degrees. Top graduate programs for fall 2023 included Computer Science, Computer Information Technology, and Physical Therapy (Entry Level).
Research and Global Rankings
NAU is a significant research institution, reporting $69.1 million in performance for FY2021. Its research infrastructure includes the Centennial Forest and the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, the latter of which tracks diseases such as COVID-19. In astronomy, NAU partners with the Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT) for deep imaging of the Solar System and manages the National Undergraduate Research Observatory.
| Ranking Body | National Rank | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Monthly (2024) | 155 | N/A |
| Forbes (2024-25) | 297 | N/A |
| U.S. News & World Report | 244 | 519 |
| Times Higher Education (THE) | 501–600 | 501–600 |
| ARWU | N/A | 501–600 |
Admissions and Accessibility
To increase college access for Arizona residents, NAU launched the Access2Excellence pilot program in 2022. This initiative removes barriers by adjusting requirements for second language courses and accepting a broader range of fourth-year math courses, ensuring students from high schools with limited course offerings can still gain admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular undergraduate majors at NAU?
Based on fall 2023 enrollment, the top programs are Psychological Sciences, Nursing, Biomedical Science, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Biology, and Elementary Education.
How is the W.A. Franke College of Business ranked?
The college is accredited by AACSB International, and its School of Hotel and Restaurant Management is ranked as the #1 hospitality program in Arizona and 22nd in the United States.
What makes NAU's astronomy program unique?
The program benefits from Flagstaff's Dark-Sky city designation and maintains a strong partnership with the Lowell Observatory, including the use of the Lowell Discovery Telescope for Solar System imaging.
What is the Access2Excellence program?
It is an admissions pilot program designed to increase access for Arizona high school students by removing specific barriers related to second language and math course requirements.
Does NAU offer doctoral degrees?
Yes, NAU offers approximately 20 doctoral programs across various colleges, including a program in Applied Linguistics within the College of Arts and Letters.