Christopher Newport University

What is the history of Christopher Newport University?

Christopher Newport University is a public university in Newport News, Virginia. It began in 1960 as Christopher Newport College, an extension of the College of William & Mary, and became an independent state institution in 1977. It adopted its current name in 1992.

The university is named for Christopher Newport, the English sea captain associated with the founding of Jamestown. Its transition from a college to a university, followed by substantial development of its residential campus, helps explain its present emphasis on undergraduate study and campus life. Prospective students should evaluate the institution as it operates today rather than assume that its earlier affiliation with William & Mary still governs its degrees or admissions.

What are the faculties and departments at Christopher Newport University?

Christopher Newport organizes its academic programs principally through the College of Arts and Humanities, College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences, College of Social Sciences, and Joseph W. Luter, III School of Business. It awards bachelor's degrees and offers a smaller selection of graduate programs.

Undergraduate choices span fields such as English, history, music, biology, chemistry, psychology, political science, social work, business, computer science and engineering. Students interested in a particular profession should examine the current academic catalog for the exact major, degree designation and required courses: a department's presence does not mean that every specialization is offered as a separate degree.

The curriculum also includes general education and opportunities for undergraduate research. Those requirements can affect how easily a student changes majors or brings in transfer credit, especially in sequential subjects such as science, engineering and accounting.

What is the location of Christopher Newport University?

Christopher Newport's main campus is in Newport News, in southeastern Virginia's Hampton Roads region. It is a residential campus in a developed suburban setting, rather than a downtown or rural college campus.

Students can reach shopping, cultural institutions and employers across the Peninsula, although travel beyond campus is more convenient with access to a car or a workable transit plan. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is nearby; flight availability should be checked separately from proximity. First-year students may register a car to park on campus, but parking rules and permit costs are separate considerations.

What is the mission and vision of Christopher Newport University?

Christopher Newport describes its purpose in terms of liberal learning, intellectual inquiry, leadership and civic responsibility. Its stated educational approach combines study within a major with broader learning in the arts and sciences.

These are institutional aims, not measured outcomes for every student. Applicants can assess how the approach would affect them by examining general education requirements, opportunities for service and research, and the amount of flexibility in their intended degree plan. Christopher Newport is a public institution, not a religiously affiliated university.