Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy
Wayne State Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy provides students with foundational knowledge in astronomy, including contemporary developments in studies of dark matter, dark energy, stellar and galactic astronomy, black holes and neutron stars and searches for exoplanets. Students graduating with a B.A. in astronomy will have strong scientific preparation for entry-level jobs or advanced degree programs in a broad spectrum of disciplines including business, education, law and social and physical sciences.
Students interested in graduate studies in astronomy or astrophysics may prepare, under the B.A. in Astronomy, by taking chemistry and physics electives or under the B.S. in Physics with a minor in astronomy.
Accelerated graduate degree
Our Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program provides the opportunity for well-performing students to enroll simultaneously in an undergraduate and a graduate program. Students can apply up to 16 common course credits toward AGRADE undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students in AGRADE programs often complete their bachelor's and master's degrees in as little as five years.
Students must apply for an AGRADE program during the semester that they earn 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree, typically during junior year. Applicants must have a:
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5
- GPA of at least 3.6 in major courses
Learn more about the AGRADE program
Why study astronomy at Wayne State in Detroit?
WSU has a well-established planetarium, an on-site roof-top observatory and a new remote observatory stationed in California. Our faculty members teach a wide range of physics and astronomy courses and many conduct research in astrophysics or the closely related fields of nuclear and particle physics.
There is great demand for scientifically educated college graduates in government, education, law, and industry and these graduates must be familiar with the pre-eminent scientific activities of our time, many of which are in the field of astronomy. The discovery of the "dark side" of the universe has fired up public interest in astronomy. The quest to understand the nature of dark matter and dark energy, in particular, are likely to have immense consequences for the technological world of the future.
Career insights
A degree in astronomy can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are just a few of the many opportunities available in this field.
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Astronomer | $123,000 |
| Atmospheric and space scientists | $91,000 |
| Atmospheric, earth, marine and space sciences teachers, postsecondary | $90,000 |
| Natural sciences managers | $137,000 |
| Physicist | $111,000 |
This data provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.