What Academic Programs and Majors Does Christopher Newport University Offer?

Christopher Newport University (CNU) offers more than 90 majors, along with minors and graduate programs, built on a liberal arts and sciences foundation. If you are looking for a four-year public university in Newport News, Virginia with a broad range of undergraduate fields rather than a narrow pre-professional focus, CNU's program range is worth checking against your intended area of study.

Program range at a glance

The university describes its liberal arts and sciences approach as preparation for "any opportunity in today's global marketplace" — meaning the curriculum is designed to build broad skills rather than train for one specific job.

How to explore programs

The site provides search and exploration tools for programs:

• Explore All Programs — browse the full catalog of majors, minors, and graduate offerings
• Majors — dedicated entry point for undergraduate major listings
• Minors — separate listing for minor programs
• Graduate — graduate-level program search

Use these tools to filter by your area of interest before applying, since the exact list of 90+ majors is not enumerated on the homepage.

Beyond the major: leadership and enrichment

One distinctive academic option is the President's Leadership Program (PLP). CNU describes it as more than an academic program — a community combining academic study, experiential learning, and personal development, aimed at preparing students for "a life of leadership, service and civic responsibility." If leadership development matters to you alongside your major, PLP is a separate track to investigate.

Outcomes and context

• 94% of graduates are employed or in grad school within six months, per the university
• CNU is ranked the #1 regional public university in Virginia and #3 in the South (university's stated rankings)
• More than 200 student organizations support life outside the classroom

What to check next

If you are deciding whether CNU fits your academic goals:

1. Go to the program search on cnu.edu and confirm a major in your field exists.
2. Check whether a minor or graduate path in your area is also offered.
3. If leadership appeals to you, look into PLP requirements separately.
4. Review financial aid options — the university states it distributes more than $50 million in aid annually.

The key question is whether your intended field appears among the 90+ majors. If it does, the liberal arts foundation and small-class teaching model are the main academic features to weigh.