University of Idaho: A Legacy of Leading Through Diverse Academic Programs

The University of Idaho (U of I), a public land-grant research university established in 1889 in Moscow, Idaho, offers a wide array of academic programs designed to cater to diverse interests and career aspirations. With a legacy spanning over a century, U of I provides students with opportunities to extend their education through undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as specialized academic certificates.

A Comprehensive Range of Academic Programs

U of I comprises ten undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, enrolling approximately 12,000 students across its campuses. The university offers degrees ranging from associate to doctoral levels. These include certificates, associate, bachelor's, post-bachelor's certificates, master's, post-master's certificates, doctorate - professional practice, and doctorate - research/scholarship.

Undergraduate Studies

At the undergraduate level, the University of Idaho offers a plethora of majors across its various colleges. These colleges include:

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS)
College of Art and Architecture (CAA)
College of Business and Economics (CBE)
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences (EHHS)
College of Engineering (COE)
College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS)
College of Natural Resources (CNR)
College of Science (COS)

Some of the most popular majors for graduates include:

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Natural Resources and Conservation
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Visual and Performing Arts

U of I Idaho Falls partners with institutions like College of Eastern Idaho (CEI), Idaho State University (ISU) and College of Southern Idaho (CSI) to deliver general education courses that support degree pathways. These partnerships expand access, provide flexibility and strengthen the quality of programs, especially the close collaboration with CEI through shared advising and transfer support.

Graduate Studies

For those looking to further their education, U of I graduate programs include master's and doctoral degrees in high-demand disciplines like mechanical and nuclear engineering, cybersecurity, technology management and education. These programs offer both online and in-person learning options, allowing students to pursue an advanced degree while continuing their professional careers. The College of Graduate Studies offers more than 90 master's, doctoral and specialist degrees, providing advanced research opportunities and professional development across disciplines.

Combined-Degree Programs

U of I also offers combined-degree programs for students looking to specialize in multiple fields. These programs include:

J.D./M.ACCT. (Master of Accountancy)
J.D./M.B.A. Business
J.D./M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration)
J.D./M.S. Environmental Science
J.D./M.S. Water Resources
J.D./M.S./Ph.D.

Academic Certificates

Beyond degree programs, U of I offers academic certificates that allow students to develop specialized expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, human resource development and strategic media management.

Experiential Learning and Real-World Opportunities

U of I emphasizes real-world learning experiences to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to tackle complex challenges. At U of I Boise, students benefit from a large network of industry connections, premier research opportunities, and real-world learning applications like internships and collaborative work with the public and private sector. U of I Boise students have access to cutting-edge resources like the largest StreamLab in the Pacific Northwest where they engage in water research, focusing on areas like water conservation and efficient irrigation technologies.

Campus Resources and Facilities

The University of Idaho boasts a variety of facilities and resources to support its academic programs and student life.

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Academic Buildings and Libraries

The Administration Building, with its eighty-foot clock tower and Collegiate Gothic-style structure, is an icon of the university. The building holds classrooms, an auditorium, and administrative offices, including the offices of the President and Provost. The U of I Library is the state's largest library, with more than 1.4 million books, periodicals, government documents, maps, video recordings, and special collections.

Student Life and Recreation

The Bruce M. Pitman Center houses the university's financial aid, admissions, new student services, registrar and Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) offices. For students, the Pitman Center also features meeting rooms, a computer lab, wireless access, borrowable laptops and a movie theater. The UI Golf Course was established in 1933 and expanded to 18 holes in 1970. The Tudor Gothic-style Memorial Gymnasium is another U of I icon. The multi-purpose "Mem Gym" is used for the women's volleyball team, and was also used for early-season basketball games before the opening of ICCU Arena.

Athletic Facilities

UI's multi-purpose "Kibbie Dome" is the primary home to Vandal athletics, hosting football, soccer, tennis, and indoor track & field. Idaho Central Credit Union Arena (ICCU Arena) became the new home of Vandals men's and women's basketball for the 2021-22 season.

Housing

U of I is a rural, residential campus, with four residence hall communities to choose from on campus, as well as housed fraternities and sororities. Apartments on campus are available for families, married couples, graduate students, law students, and non-traditional students.

Student Life and Engagement

Many students participate in a wide variety of clubs and organizations. Palousafest is a fair that brings clubs and students together, and is a way for students to find out more about how to get involved with extracurricular activities. The University of Idaho is home to more than two dozen Greek organizations that make up more than 20% of the student population.

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Accreditation and Recognition

The University of Idaho is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It is classified as R1 - a Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production University - by the Carnegie Foundation, placing it in the top 4% of research universities in the nation.

Discovering the Perfect Major

Choosing a college major is a pivotal step in shaping your academic journey and future career. A major is a specialized area of study within your undergraduate education. It dictates a significant portion of your coursework, allowing you to gain in-depth knowledge in a specific field.

Picking a Major

Selecting a major requires introspection and research:

Assess your interests and strengths: Reflect on subjects you enjoy and excel in.
Explore career opportunities: Investigate potential careers associated with areas of study you’re interested in. University of Idaho's Career Services offers resources to help you align majors with career paths.
Consult admissions advisors: Connect with an admissions counselor to understand opportunities within different majors.

Changing Your Major

It's common for students to reconsider their chosen field of study. As a University of Idaho undergraduate student, you can change your major through the "Change My Major" option in your profile in MyUI.

Undecided?

General Studies programs offer versatile, flexible and customizable options to meet your individual needs and interests.

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