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Celebrating Graduate Impact

Whether it’s teaching a Korean language course or conducting research on Alzheimer’s disease, graduate students at the University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences play a vital role in the classroom and in developing innovative research. CAS is home to more than 1,200 graduate students — 307 master's and 959 PhD — spanning various departments and programs. 

Hear from three graduate students about why they chose CAS for graduate school and the role they play in providing a liberal arts education experience for undergraduate students and conducting impactful research alongside faculty members. CAS is proud to be a part of the UO Division of Graduate Studies is celebrating graduate and professional students from April 6-10 with events, activities and giveaways. 

Explore the Work CAS Grad Students Do

News from CAS

Four College of Arts and Sciences faculty members will discuss the social impact of research during the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) Week of Research and Innovation. The event is 10:30 am to noon Wednesday, April 8, at the Cedar and Spruce rooms in the Erb Memorial Union.
CAREER PREPARATION — Tasked with meeting the College of Arts and Sciences career preparation goal, Assistant Dean for Career Preparation Yifang Zhang developed and implemented the Career Leaders Program. The program focuses on providing tools and resources to reframe and elevate the school's existing effort in career preparation in classrooms.
For Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week in 2026, CAS gradate students share their experiences of what makes their experience special at CAS. CAS is home to 1,295 graduate students: 307 master’s and 959 PhD. With April 6-10 Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week, CAS reached out to some of its graduate students to hear how about their experiences at the college.

All news »

We Love Our Supporters

Your gifts change lives

Your Gift Changes Lives

Gifts to the College of Arts and Sciences can help our students make the most of their college careers. To do this, CAS needs your support. Your contributions help us ensure that teaching, research, advising, mentoring, and support services are fully available to every student. Thank you!

Give to CAS

Congratulations, Graduating Ducks!

The College of Arts and Sciences’ departments will hold commencement ceremonies on Monday, June 15, 2026.

CAS Commencement

a collage of images from the March 2026 CAS Connection

What’s Happening in CAS?

Alison Carter began an archeology adventure of a lifetime when she was in Cambodia and received an email about a truckload of artifacts getting dropped off on the UO campus. With the help of undergrad CAS students, Carter repatriated hundreds of Angkorian artifacts to Cambodia. 

Also in the March CAS Connection issue, go inside a CAS Japanese pop culture course, learn what happens to the human body while in space, find out why language learning is on the rise—and more. 

exterior of Villard Hall on campus surrounded by trees

Undergraduate Studies

Wherever your academic goals eventually take you at the UO, all Ducks begin their journey with foundational courses in CAS. More than 60 percent of students go on to pursue a major in a CAS department or program. With more than 50 departments and programs, there’s an intellectual home for almost any interest, talent, or career aspiration.

a person throwing the "O"

Graduate Studies

The College of Arts and Sciences offers more than 30 master's programs and more than 20 doctoral programs across a diverse range of disciplines. Both as contributors to research teams and through their own scholarship and teaching, our CAS graduate students are indispensable to the vitality of the UO academic mission.

Student Support Services

We provide our students with a variety of resources to help you thrive inside and outside the classroom. Through Tykeson Advising, we provide comprehensive academic and career advising from the start of your journey at the University of Oregon. Learn about career preparation and get assistance in selecting the very best classes. Connect with labs, libraries, IT and tutoring. Find your community on campus.

World-Class Faculty

a person leading a classroom

The College of Arts and Sciences faculty members are a driving force of the high-output, high-impact research activity that has earned the UO membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). Our world-class faculty members are inspiring teachers.

Among them are five members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, four members of the National Academy of Sciences. They are committed to helping students discover their academic passion. Every day, they work to expand students’ intellectual horizons, preparing them for life after college with real-world knowledge and skills.

Spotlight on CAS Academics

Choose Your Path

The College of Arts and Sciences offers more than 50 majors and nearly 70 minors across multiple departments and programs in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. We also offer 36 master’s programs and 25 doctoral programs.

dean chris poulsen posing in front of Tykeson hall

Meet our Dean

In the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), we are committed to excellence in research and teaching, student success, and diversity, equity, and belonging. 

A liberal arts education—one that offers a breadth of intellectual approaches and perspectives and depth in a major discipline—is the foundation to a purposeful life as a life-long learner, engaged citizen, and leader. The skills you will learn here—from written and verbal communication to analytical and quantitative reasoning, to compassion and understanding—are those that employers seek and will open the door to a wealth of opportunities. 

You will find more than 50 majors and a multitude of minors within CAS, and seemingly endless opportunities for personal exploration and discovery. Whether you are an incoming first-year student, a grad student or a transfer student, you can map an exciting future and be part of a fun, warm, engaged liberal arts community here. Come join us. And go Ducks! 

More from Dean Chris Poulsen

The College of Arts and Sciences includes:

52
undergraduate degree programs
36
masters programs
25
PhD programs
11,000+
Undergraduate students in CAS Majors
800+
faculty members
1,200+
masters and PhD students in CAS

Happening at CAS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

UO College of Arts & Sciences (@uocas) • Instagram photos and videos

Apr 13
Spring Career Readiness Week (full list of events)

Find daily ways to engage your career curiosity with workshops, local industry tours, alumni panels & networking events, the Spring Career & Internship Expo (4/16), and...
Spring Career Readiness Week (full list of events)
April 10–17

Find daily ways to engage your career curiosity with workshops, local industry tours, alumni panels & networking events, the Spring Career & Internship Expo (4/16), and Practice Interview Day (4/17) that will help you develop skills and connections on the road to career readiness. For a full list of workshops, career tours, networking events, resume reviews, alumni panels, and more, visit career.uoregon.edu/events or register for events in Handshake. Why wait?! Stop by the University Career Center in Tykeson Hall-Garden Level ASAP to get drop-in resume reviews and other career guidance to make the most of your Career Readiness Week!

The University Career Center offers a special thanks to our Spring 2026 Career Readiness Week sponsor: Enterprise Mobility!

FULL LIST OF EVENTS! 

Resume Extravaganza (Drop-In Resume Reviews)  Wednesday, April 8th, 11am-4pm, Tykeson Hall Commons (1st Floor)  Did you know you can have someone review your resume before the Career & Internship Expo? Drop in any time to get feedback on your resume. Don’t have a resume? Come learn how to make one!  

Spring Career Closet Pop-Up  Thursday, April 9th, 12pm-3pm, EMU Redwood Auditorium (214)  Make a first impression that reflects your awesomeness! Browse through new and gently used business casual and professional clothes, and curate a FREE interview-ready outfit!  

Career Tour: Healthcare   Friday, April 11th, 8:45am-1pm, meet at Ford Alumni Center (RSVP on Handshake Required! Space Limited!)  Thinking about a career in healthcare? Have we got a Friday morning for you! Hop on the bus and let’s go explore McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center in Springfield for a behind-the-scenes tour and Q&A with healthcare leaders just for UO students! 

Building your Network: LinkedIn & Beyond (Workshop)  Friday, April 10th, 2pm-2:45pm, Tykeson Hall Garden Level 50P (University Career Center-Conference Room)  Learn how to build meaningful professional connections, both online and in person. We’ll cover how to create or update your LinkedIn profile, reach out for informational interviews, and make the most of networking opportunities at the UO and beyond.  

Curious about the Career & Internship Expo (Virtual Info Session)   Monday, April 13th, 12pm-1pm via Zoom (Register in Handshake)   Learn the ins and outs of navigating the in-person Career & Internship Expo, updating your Handshake profile, researching employers, and how to present yourself authentically during the expo.  

So, You want to learn about Grad School (Workshop)  Tuesday, April 14th, 2:30pm-3:15pm, Tykeson Hall Garden Level 50P (University Career Center-Conference Room)  Whether you are just exploring or already researching programs, this workshop will help you make sense of your options. We will break down different types of degrees, how to find and compare programs, and what to expect in the application process so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. 

Your Future in Tech + Connect (Networking)  Tuesday, April 14, 4pm-6pm, EMU Crater Lake Rooms       Join us for a special industry-connection night dedicated to helping you get career ready for your future in Tech. Participate in small group networking with tech professionals and alumni to get advice on career-building opportunities and connections. 

Interviewing Strategies for Success (Workshop)  Wednesday, April 15th, 12pm-12:45pm, Tykeson Hall Garden Level 50P (University Career Center-Conference Room)  Learn how to prepare with confidence, answer common (and tricky) interview questions, and communicate your strengths clearly. We will also share helpful tools and resources you can use before your next interview. 

Opportunity Hub (Panel + Networking)  Wednesday, April 15th , 3:30pm-5pm, EMU Crater Lake Rooms (146)  Following panel from 3:30pm-4pm, Grab a snack and rotate through casual small group chats with alumni, professionals, and employers to learn more about their companies (like Nike, Pinterest, Teach for America and more!), career paths, and get advice about how to find career-building opportunities and connections for your future.  

Job Shadow Day Interest Meeting 

Wednesday, April 15th, 4pm-5pm, Tykeson Commons  Come learn about Job Shadow Day happening on May 15th and how getting outside your comfort zone for one Friday with mystery mentors can jumpstart your career exploration!  

BizCareers: Internships Spring into Fall Ready (Panel + Networking)  Wednesday, April 15th, 5:30-8pm, Lillis 182 & Atrium  INTERNSHIPS! How to find them, prepare for, apply, and land them!  

  • Internship Stories Panel, 5:30-60, Lillis 182  Hear practical, applicable insights from a panel of alumni, industry partners who hire, and students who successfully navigated the process during an internship prep panel focused on networking, referrals, timing, applications, and more. 

  • Internship Power Prep Round Tables (with FOOD!), 6:30-8pm, Lillis Atrium    Stay for a structured roundtable Q&A, exploring four essential topics—researching companies and people, getting started with networking, building resilience during the search process, and developing mentorship and ongoing relationships. You will practice asking great questions, get personalized advice, and walk away with actionable next steps you can use immediately.  

Spring Career & Internship Expo 

Thursday, April 16th, 12pm-4pm, EMU Ballrooms  

Get curious about your future and make connections with cool employers! Find your career fit with over 60+ employers comprised of a variety of industries and organizational types--all on-campus and excited to share more with you about early career talent opportunities.   

  • First Career & Internship Expo? Or just a little nervous? Come early and get a low-stress, behind-the-scenes Expo Preview & Tour (11:15am-noon, EMU Ballrooms) and learn how to navigate the expo and make a good first impression with employers.   

  • Take part in the Expo Scavenger Hunt to win prizes and have fun conversation starters with employers.   

Practice Interview Day 

Friday, April 17th, 12pm-4pm (30-45 minutes each), Tykeson Hall 1st Floor Commons     Come practice commonly asked interview questions and get active feedback from experienced professionals and career coaches on your communication style, professionalism, and more. Drop-ins are welcome! 

Apr 13
GitHub Desktop: Collaborative Coding for Beginners 2:00 p.m.

Doing group programming projects for the first time? Want to participate in the open-source software community? Learn the basics of Git and common software development...
GitHub Desktop: Collaborative Coding for Beginners
April 13
2:00–5:00 p.m.
Deschutes Hall 220

Doing group programming projects for the first time? Want to participate in the open-source software community? Learn the basics of Git and common software development workflows through the GitHub Desktop app in this interactive workshop. This workshop is intended for students with prior programming experience, but no prior experience with Git/GitHub is required. This workshop will be hosted in 220 Deschutes.

Skills covered include:

  • Why version control?
  • The GitHub platform
  • Git workflows: pull, commit, push, repeat
  • Software development principles
  • Branching, forking

Please bring a laptop with GitHub Desktop installed. This workshop is in-person only; coffee, tea and snacks will be provided. 

Have any questions? Contact us.

Apr 13
Eugene History Pub Lecture Series: "Founders, Foreigners, and Swindlers: Land Claims in Mexican and American San Francisco, 1822 - 1865" 7:00 p.m.

Please join the Department of History for the April pub lecture. Ocean Howell will discuss "Founders, Foreigners, and Swindlers: Land Claims in Mexican and American San...
Eugene History Pub Lecture Series: "Founders, Foreigners, and Swindlers: Land Claims in Mexican and American San Francisco, 1822 - 1865"
April 13
7:00 p.m.
Whirled Pies

Please join the Department of History for the April pub lecture. Ocean Howell will discuss "Founders, Foreigners, and Swindlers: Land Claims in Mexican and American San Francisco, 1822 - 1865."

Free and open to everyone!

The UO Department of History presents a series of talks with scholars about history, from the local to the global. Join us for stories, food, and conversation in a casual setting! 

Apr 13
The Global Justice Program Presents: "Israel: What Went Wrong?" 7:00 p.m.

Please join the Global Justice Program for a lecture on "Israel: What Went Wrong?" by Omer Bartov, an Israeli-American scholar and Dean’s Professor of Holocaust...
The Global Justice Program Presents: "Israel: What Went Wrong?"
April 13
7:00 p.m.
Ford Alumni Center Lee Barlow Giustina Ballroom

Please join the Global Justice Program for a lecture on "Israel: What Went Wrong?" by Omer Bartov, an Israeli-American scholar and Dean’s Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University.

This lecture will provide a gist of Bartov's forthcoming book, Israel: What Went Wrong?, to be published in April 2026. The book explores the tragic transformation of Zionism, a movement that sought to emancipate European Jewry from oppression, into a state ideology of ethno-nationalism. How is it possible that a state founded in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust, an event that gave legitimacy to a national home for the Jews, stands credibly accused of perpetrating large-scale war crimes? How do we come to terms with the fact that Israel’s war of destruction is being conducted with the support, laced with denial and indifference, of so many of its Jewish citizens? Tracing the roots of the violent events currently unfolding in Israel and the occupied territories, the book tracks Israel’s moral tribulations and considers the origins of Zionism; the intertwining of its independence with Palestinian displacement; the politics of the Holocaust; controversies over the term "genocide"; and the uncertain future. 

Bartov is an Israeli-American scholar and Dean’s Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University. He has written widely on war crimes, interethnic relations, and genocide. Recent books, published in multiple languages, include Anatomy of a Genocide: The Life and Death of a Town Called Buczacz (2018), which won the National Jewish Book Award, and Genocide, the Holocaust and Israel-Palestine: First-Person History in Times of Crisis (2023), named Choice 2024 Outstanding Academic Title. Bartov’s essays and commentaries have been widely featured in national and international magazines and media outlets. His new book, Israel: What Went Wrong? will be published in April 2026 by FSG in the US and Penguin/Random Books in the UK.