Shenandoah University Debuts New Academic Programs In Fall 2025
SU’s educational offerings to include five new undergraduate, graduate degrees
Shenandoah University continued to expand its academic offerings with the introduction of six new programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels for the 2025 Fall Term.
These new offerings include five majors — a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design, Bachelor of Arts in Animal Health and Welfare, Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Science, Master of Science in Music Therapy and Professional Counseling, and Master of Science in School Counseling — and a minor in graphic art and digital design.
“Shenandoah University is excited to announce the addition of several new programs to our Fall 2025 curriculum,” said Karen Abraham, Ph.D., provost at Shenandoah University. “These programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of our students, and the demands of society and the professional landscape.”
The B.A. in Art and Design provides students an immersive, hands-on education in diverse studio art, empowering and supporting students as they explore artistic expression through a variety of media and engage with local and global communities. Varying pathways within the program, including graphic art and digital design and pre-art therapy, allow students to customize their education to align with their artistic interests and career goals.
The B.A. in Animal Health and Welfare gives students the chance to work with animals outside the traditional medical/pre-veterinarian routes. Students will learn introduction-level biological mechanics of animals, gaining extensive knowledge in various animal roles/groups and animal welfare.
Conversely, the B.S. in Animal Health and Science provides the opportunity for students to work with animals in a predominantly medical/pre-veterinarian setting. While this program does include an introduction to health and care, its focus is on educating students in natural sciences to prepare them for medical and conservation sciences.
The M.S. in Music Therapy and Professional Counseling combines clinical mental health counseling and music therapy to provide a comprehensive education emphasizing ethical and culturally responsive treatment strategies. This degree, which prepares students to deliver evidence-based individual and group therapy in a broad range of clinical settings, fulfills the academic requirements to become a nationally board certified music therapist (MT-BC) and licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Virginia.
The M.S. in School Counseling prepares students to become professional school counselors equipped to support the academic, career and personal/social development of children and adolescents in PreK-12 educational settings. Through a comprehensive curriculum covering counseling theory, counseling techniques, and child and adolescent development, students gain the knowledge and skills necessary for effective school counseling practice. Students will engage in practicum and fieldwork requirements focused on developing their counseling orientation and theory.
Shenandoah University’s addition of these new programs comes at a period of continued growth in its 150th year. The university welcomed a record number of new first-year students in Fall 2025 and has an enrollment of 4,488 students, its highest ever.
Last year, Shenandoah celebrated the full launch of its Bachelor of Science in Engineering and introduced a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, hybrid/online pathways for its Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Pharmacy programs, and minors in Animal Care and Wellness and Studio Art.
About Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University was established in 1875, and is headquartered at the top of Virginia, in Winchester, Virginia, with additional educational sites in Clarke and Loudoun counties, and online offerings. Shenandoah is a private, nationally recognized university that blends professional career experiences with wide-ranging education. With over 4,400 students in more than 200 areas of study in six different schools, Shenandoah promotes a close-knit community rich in creative energy and intellectual challenge. Shenandoah students collaborate with accomplished professors who provide focused, individual attention, all the while leading several programs to be highly nationally ranked. Through innovative partnerships and programs at both the local and global level, there are exceptional opportunities for students to learn in and out of the classroom. Shenandoah empowers its students to improve the human condition and to be principled professionals and leaders wherever they go. For more information, visit su.edu.
