Undergraduate

An applied business degree is ideal for those looking for growth in their current roles or are preparing for leadership and management positions. In this program, you’ll gain a variety of business skills, such as:

• Analytical research and problem solving.
• Cross-functional communication and collaboration.
• Data analytics and visualization.
• Global applications and cultural sensitivity.
• Leadership and management.
• Personal ethics and integrity.

Additionally, you can tailor your learning by choosing up to two specializations in your areas of interest. Explore topics in more than 15 focus areas ranging from human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion to human factors engineering and marketing. This provides you with the opportunity to direct your learning and tailor coursework to your professional goals.

The careers an applied business degree prepares you for

Employers of all sizes and industries value broad-based business skills. Whether you want to advance in your current role, seek opportunities in a new organization or follow entrepreneurial pursuits, you’ll be on the path to accomplish your goals.

As a graduate, you can pursue a wide array of careers in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. You may find opportunities in communications, leadership and management, human resources, sales, training and more.

How does this program compare to a business administration degree?

While both programs provide insight into business practice and strategy, they have key differences. ASU Online’s bachelor’s in business administration concentration emphasizes building general management and operations skills.

By comparison, this applied business degree allows you to explore multiple areas of interest. You’ll have the flexibility to take courses in a variety of disciplines and understand how they integrate to form valuable business solutions.

Biophysics is an interdisciplinary field that combines the principles of physics and biology to understand biological systems and processes at the molecular and cellular level. In our increasingly interconnected world, biophysics has the potential to revolutionize approaches to medicine, agriculture, sustainability and more. It also provides a foundation for new therapies, diagnostics and treatments.

In this biophysics program, the first of its kind to be offered online, you’ll learn from the same renowned biophysicists who teach on campus. You’ll gain knowledge about the principles governing all scales of biological organization and the tools to drive innovative solutions.

The skills and subjects you’ll learn as a biophysics major

As you take a variety of courses in physics, mathematics, biology and chemistry, you’ll have opportunities to sharpen your independent and critical thinking. You’ll also learn how to design experiments, collect, analyze and interpret data and write scientific reports. Other skills you’ll build as a biophysics major include:

• Cross-audience communication.
• Data analysis and computation.
• Interdisciplinary thinking.
• Problem solving.
• Scientific methodology.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in biophysics?

Earning a biophysics degree can set you on a path for a variety of careers in the health care, education, research, renewable energy and biotechnology industries. You’ll be equipped for roles ranging from health care administrator and radiologist to research assistant or pharmaceutical sales representative.

For advanced roles, such as becoming a biophysicist or researcher, you may need to pursue further studies. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for graduate programs in the fields of neuroscience, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, data science and physics.

Additionally, while a biophysics major can be a stepping stone to medical school, you should expect to take additional coursework to meet the prerequisite requirements.

As a science-based branch of psychology, positive psychology emphasizes the strengths that help individuals and communities thrive. This program covers theories, research and applied interventions designed to support mental wellness, resilience and optimal functioning across diverse environments, such as families, workplaces and communities.

By exploring the science behind widely adopted practices, you’ll learn how to reduce stress, increase life satisfaction and build empathy. Areas of study include:

• Forgiveness interventions fostering perspective and emotional regulation
• Gratitude practices supporting positive thinking and self-awareness
• Mindfulness activities improving attention and emotional resilience

This program prioritizes research literacy and interdisciplinary thinking. You’ll engage with data, evaluate popular psychology claims and examine how positive psychology connects with broader movements to reduce inequity and promote well-being at scale.

As a positive psychology major, you’ll scaffold your coursework to real-world applications through ASU initiatives like the Resilience in Social Environments (RISE) project, the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience and the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation. You may also be selected to participate in research with faculty.

If you plan to become a licensed therapist or psychologist, this program can be your starting point. Most roles in clinical psychology require a master’s degree or a PhD, as well as licensure in the state where you plan to practice and potentially other relevant certifications.

The differences between a BS and BA in positive psychology

While both the BS and BA programs lead to similar career paths and prepare you for graduate study, each offering has a distinct academic focus:

The Bachelor of Science in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology:

• Centers on data and quantitative research methods
• Develops skills in statistical analysis and scientific reasoning
• Prepares you to work in research or clinical settings

The Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology:

• Emphasizes applied learning in real-world settings
  Focuses on interpersonal and communication skills
  Prepares you for careers in business, community programs or social services

You can also pursue this program as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. If accepted, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree — such as the online Master of Science in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology — in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree, saving time and tuition.

The growing field of positive psychology centers around enhancing quality of life through proven, research-based approaches. This program introduces strategies developed to support emotional well-being, strong relationships, healthy work environments and more.

You’ll learn how to apply and assess these interventions across family, community and organizational settings. Core areas of study include:

• Coping and creativity
• Gratitude and mindfulness
• Hope and optimism
• Joy and love
• Resilience

As a positive psychology major, you’ll scaffold your coursework to real-world applications through ASU initiatives like the Resilience in Social Environments (RISE) project, the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience and the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation. You may also be selected to participate in research with faculty.

If you plan to become a licensed therapist or psychologist, this program can be your starting point. Most roles in clinical psychology require a master’s degree or a PhD, as well as licensure in the state where you plan to practice and potentially other relevant certifications.

The differences between the BA and BS in positive psychology

While both the BA and BS programs lead to similar career paths and prepare you for graduate study, each offering has a distinct academic focus:

The Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology:

• Emphasizes applied learning in real-world settings
• Focuses on interpersonal and communication skills
• Prepares you for careers in business, community programs or social services

The Bachelor of Science in psychology with a concentration in positive psychology:

• Centers on data and quantitative research methods
• Develops skills in statistical analysis and scientific reasoning
• Prepares you to work in research or clinical settings

You can also pursue this program as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. If accepted, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree — such as the online Master of Science in psychology – positive psychology — in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree, saving time and tuition.

Global health studies encompasses the sociocultural and evolutionary roots of disease and its effects on the world’s population. Beyond medical treatment, global health studies focuses on creating effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate approaches to prevent, assess and mitigate disease.

In this program, you’ll use analytical measures to formulate research questions and examine drivers of health inequities. You’ll also consider the contexts that influence morbidity and disease trends, including ecological, political, cultural, institutional, historical, evolutionary, social and technological factors.

What’s the difference between a BA and BS in global health?

In our Bachelor of Arts in global health and Bachelor of Science programs, you’ll gain an understanding of the global burden of disease and the social and environmental determinants of health. When you choose the BA program, you also learn about building community partnerships to tackle health challenges.

This BS in global health is unique because you’ll focus on developing quantitative abilities, preparing you for research and scientific contribution to preventing disease. Upon graduation, your quantitative toolkit will consist of a variety of skills, such as:

• Applying public health sciences, such as biostatistics, epidemiology and environmental public health in a global context.
• Calculating and interpreting measures of disease frequency, effect and public health impact.
• Differentiating between causation and association.
• Explaining the advantages and limitations of observational research in epidemiology.
• Identifying observational and experimental study designs in scientific literature.
• Managing, evaluating and interpreting large amounts of data.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

You’re an ideal candidate for this program if you’re motivated to address health inequities and engage in international collaboration. You should also be interested in health beyond the physical aspects of disease. In this program, you’ll focus on a scientific approach to solving global health issues, while keeping sight of social, cultural and evolutionary perspectives.

This program is suitable if you want to pursue health-related roles in settings such as departments of health, federal government agencies, international agencies, nonprofits or private organizations. Upon graduation, you’ll also be prepared to pursue graduate studies, which can lead to health careers in education and research.

Additionally, this bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. Applicable master's degrees with this opportunity include the Master of Science in global health.

In our interdependent world, hazardous incidents can affect individuals, organizations and communities. In this program, you’ll explore an integrative approach to managing risk and building resilience in the face of natural and human-caused disasters. You’ll also gain perspective of the economic, social and public policy implications of disasters, terrorism and national security threats.

Additionally, you’ll learn how to assess vulnerabilities and manage risk associated with crisis situations, promote security and protect critical assets. Upon graduation, you’ll have an interdisciplinary skill set, including:

• Collaborating across teams and organizations.
• Communicating with the public and emergency services communities.
• Conducting risk and vulnerability assessments.
• Deploying human capital and technological systems for decision support.
• Management and strategic planning.
• Writing for multiple audiences.

What you can do with a bachelor's in emergency management and homeland security

You can pursue a variety of roles in disaster response and preparedness, ranging from an emergency preparedness specialist in a public health agency to an analyst in corporate global security operations. Other career paths include security policy, program planning, crisis operations, quality assurance, mission support and more.

If you hold a role as a first responder, nonprofit worker or government employee, earning a bachelor’s in homeland security and emergency management can also boost your upward mobility. This program may also be an ideal fit for veterans or active-duty service members transitioning to civilian work.

Additionally, this bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Arts in emergency management and homeland security.
• Master of Public Administration.
• Master of Science in program evaluation and data analytics.

Does this degree prepare me for disaster relief jobs?

Yes. With the abilities you’ll develop related to emergency operations, continuity management and cross-organizational communication, you’ll be equipped to work on teams responding to any disaster. This can include intentional human acts (e.g. terrorism), accidental human hazards (e.g. chemical releases from train derailments) or disasters from natural hazards (e.g. hurricanes or wildfires).

Additionally, this program places an emphasis on professional development and applied coursework to build skills. You’ll have the opportunity to complete certifications that support your career, such as credentials offered by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

Computer science graduates are in demand in fields ranging from health care and business to nonprofits and transportation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for computer and information research scientists is expected to grow 26% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than average for all occupations. Additionally, the median annual wage was $145,080 in 2023. Check out our article to learn more about what computer scientists do.

With the knowledge you’ll gain, you can design and analyze software for various applications including networks, graphics, artificial intelligence and database systems. You’ll have training in programming languages, such as Java, C and C++. Upon graduation, you can find roles improving software reliability, network security, information retrieval systems and more.

The skills you’ll gain in this online CS degree

Unlike other engineers, computer scientists focus on designing computers, computational processes and information transfer. In this program, you’ll build on your aptitude for mathematics and reasoning while applying concepts to computer science. Coursework builds your expertise in artificial intelligence, algorithm analysis, formal languages, natural language processing and cybersecurity. Additional transferable skills include:

• Analyzing complex computing problems.
• Applying computer science theory and software development fundamentals.
• Designing and evaluating computing-based solutions to meet requirements.
• Solving technical problems from a broad perspective of computer science, including business, societal and regulatory issues.
• Understanding how computer hardware and software interact.

As a computer science major, you’ll also refine professional skills to lead teams, such as ethical decision-making, collaboration, innovation and communication. Combining these skills with technical acumen can set you apart from other candidates.

What sets ASU’s online computer science program apart

This program has Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation, which will signal to employers that your degree meets the global standard for technical education. Upon graduation, you’ll have opportunities to work globally because ABET accreditation is recognized and respected worldwide through international agreements. Further, earning a degree through an ABET-accredited program is a step toward earning many professional certifications, registration and licensure.

Additionally, if you want to pursue further education, you can complete this bachelor’s degree as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Computer Science.
• Master of Computer Science – big data systems.
• Master of Computer Science – cybersecurity.

Data visualization focuses on increasing universal access to data using a variety of visual design techniques. The three primary benefits of earning a data visualization degree concentration include, but aren’t limited to:

• Career opportunities.
  • Diverse skills increase your marketability and may open doors for career opportunities in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
  • New career opportunities in the fields of data analysis, data visualization and data specialization.
  • Other career opportunities in the fields of graphic design and content management.
• Personal development.
  • Further your skills and theory of data management, helping you understand, manage, normalize, create and visualize different types of data according to best practices.
  • Learn how to independently analyze and scrutinize sources of data, including publicly available datasets.
• Professional competencies.
  • Understanding the theory of data management allows you to manage, normalize, create and visualize many types of data using best practices.
  • Gaining knowledge about graphic design and visual communication principles enables you to design infographics, informational posters and other media that increase accessibility to information.
  • Independently analyze and scrutinize many sources of data, including publicly available datasets.

Earning a data visualization degree concentration prepares you to join a field with high demand in data-related occupations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for data scientists is projected to grow 35% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual salary in 2022 for data scientists was $103,500 and typically requires earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

The skills you’ll develop in this program

During this program, you'll explore a variety of topics you can apply to your career, such as graphic design, data visualization, infographic development and data analysis. You’ll also learn about the structure of digital information and all facets of data management. Skills you’ll develop include:

• Collaborating with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Conducting user research to create complex communication products.
• Creating communication pieces in multiple media formats.
• Managing design projects.
• Writing clearly and effectively for specific audiences.

Data visualization and technical communication are integral to driving strategic decisions across industries. This data visualization degree concentration prepares you to organize and present data in appealing visuals, ultimately making information easy to understand for wide audiences.

How does this program compare to other technical communication degree concentrations?

This bachelor’s in technical communication with a concentration in data visualization provides foundational knowledge in technical writing with a focus on visual data. As part of the technical communication core curriculum, you’ll learn the fundamentals of technical communication and practice principles of technical editing. After completing your core curriculum, you’ll take data visualization concentration courses that help you advance your data visualization tools and techniques. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers in data or technical communication.

If you’re interested in exploring other aspects of technical communication, you may also consider the following ASU Online programs:

• Bachelor of Science in technical communication with a concentration in social media management.
  • In this program, you’ll take courses that focus on writing, design, management and other techniques for producing a variety of content. In your social media concentration courses, you’ll develop insight into the opportunities, concerns and demands associated with professional social media management.
• Bachelor of Science in technical communication with a concentration in user experience.
  • In this program, you’ll take courses that emphasize technical communication, while incorporating relevant context from fields such as human systems engineering and graphic information technology. In your user experience courses, you’ll gain a foundation in UX concepts and their application to real-world assignments.

This program equips you to create engaging learning experiences for learners of all ages, with a focus on adults. You’ll learn to design instructional strategies, activities and resources outside of the classroom that support educators, facilitate learning and achieve curriculum objectives.

Emphasizing organizational practice and practitioner development, this program prepares you for entry-level instructional design roles across settings. Diverse career opportunities can range from training teachers on course design in school districts to developing job training programs for industries such as hospitality.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

In your courses, you’ll explore the fundamentals of instructional design, including adult learning theories, the history of the field and current trends. You’ll also learn to identify instructional needs and performance gaps, then design, develop and deploy digital learning solutions to address those challenges. To transform your skills, you’ll focus on:

• Applying instructional strategies.
• Conducting needs analysis.
• Creating multimedia learning materials.
• Developing learning goals and instructional objectives.
• Drafting assessment activities.
• Producing digital learning solutions.

Additionally, you’ll learn to evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions you create by interpreting data and measuring outcomes. This systematic process forms the foundation of instructional design, ensuring you’re prepared for success as you pursue professional roles.

Who’s a good candidate for this instructional design program?

This program is a great fit for individuals with backgrounds in training, professional development, online learning or other education roles. You’re an ideal candidate if you’re an empathetic problem solver who’s passionate about creating positive learning experiences for adult learners. Success in this program is driven by strong communication, writing and active listening skills.

This program may also be a good choice if you think creatively and visually and enjoy developing digital materials, such as audio, video and graphics. Familiarity with emerging technologies and software is vital, as these tools continuously evolve to meet learners’ needs.

Note: This instructional design degree concentration does not lead to teacher certification.

The Bachelor of Arts in disability studies teaches you to better understand and advocate for individuals living with disabilities. Rather than focusing on disability as a functional impairment, this program emphasizes how society defines and interacts with it. You’ll explore ways to promote inclusive workplace practices and expand opportunities for people with disabilities through a social, legal and cultural lens.

This degree is well-suited for those aiming to build skills in research, advocacy and policy making. Graduates often pursue careers as attorneys, compliance officers, disability service directors, educators, human resource managers, nonprofit leaders or policymakers. If you're already working in the medical field and looking to help confront the marginalization of those living with a disability, this program can strengthen your impact.

What you’ll learn in this program

If you have a passion for advocacy, this disability studies major prepares you to make a meaningful impact by examining disability through multifaceted perspectives. With this interdisciplinary approach, you’ll explore the systemic marginalization of those with disabilities. You’ll build a versatile skill set that includes collaboration, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, effective communication and the ability to influence policy.