How Do I Pick A Major?

    By the end of your second year in college, most schools require that you declare a major or primary field of study.  A major consists of a series of courses that support the primary subject you choose to study.  The major you select will determine the kinds of jobs for which you will be qualified.  It is therefore one of the most important decisions you will ever make.  Although you can change your major if you change your mind or realize you have made a bad choice, it will save you time and money to decide as early as possible.  There may be prerequisite courses you must take during your first two years in order to be qualified to take the upper-level courses.

    It is not uncommon for students to graduate and start work before realizing they have chosen the wrong field.  That is a very expensive mistake to correct if it requires going back to school.  The best way to assure you are prepared for the kinds of jobs that suit you is to make a deliberate and careful decision.  Every job uses certain aptitudes or talents.  You probably already know what talents you possess.  What things do you enjoy and do quickly and easily?   Do you have special abilities?  If you are uncertain, you may want to consider taking an aptitude test.  There are organizations such as the Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation that can help determine your aptitudes and enable you to make better decisions about school and work.  The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is also a valuable assessment.  Your high school guidance counselor or an Army National Guard recruiter can assist you in registering for the test.  You can call 1-800-GO-GUARD for more information.

 

    As you consider the fields of study that may be appealing, you may find the following list helpful:

 

Majors Index Listing

 

Accounting

Acting/Directing

Actuarial Science

Adult and Continuing Education

Addiction Studies

Administration

Advertising

Aeronautical Engineering

Aeronautical Science

Aeronautical Technology

Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Sciences

African Languages

African Studies

African American Studies

Agribusiness

Agricultural and Food Products

Processing

Agricultural Animal Health

Agricultural Business Management

Agricultural Economics

Agricultural Education

Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural Engineering Technology

Agricultural Mechanics

Agricultural Production

Agricultural Sciences

Agricultural Supplies

Agricultural Technologies

Agriculture

Agronomy

Air Science

Air Traffic Control

Aircraft Mechanics

Aircraft and Missile Maintenance

Airline Piloting and Navigation

Allied Health

American History

American Indian Studies

American Literature

Analytical Chemistry

Anatomy

Anesthesiology

Animal Science

Animation

Anthropology

Apparel and Accessories Marketing

Apparel Design

Applied Art

Applied Economics

Applied History

Applied Mathematics

Applied Music

Applied Physics

Arabic

Archaeology

Architectural Drafting

Architectural History

Architectural Engineering

Architectural Engineering Technology

Architectural Environmental Design

Architectural Urban Design

Architecture

Area Studies

Art

Art Education

Art History

Art Therapy

Art Administration/Management

Asian Studies

Asian/American Studies

Asian/Oriental Studies

Astronomy

Astrophysics

Athletic Training

Atmospheric Sciences/Meteorology

Audio Engineering

Audio Recording

Automotive Engineering

Automotive Engineering Technology

Automotive Technology

Auto Mechanic/Technician

Avian Science

Aviation/Airway Science

Aviation Administration/Management

Aviation Computer Technology

Aviation Technology

Bacteriology

Baker/Pastry Chef

Banking and Finance

Behavioral Science

Biblical Languages/Literatures

Biblical Studies

Bilingual/Bicultural Education

Biochemical Technology

Biochemistry

Bioengineering

Bioethics

Biology

Biology Education

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Equipment Technology

Biometrics and Biostatistics

Biophysics

Biopsychology

Biotechnology

Blood Bank Technology

Botany

British Literature

Broadcasting

Broadcast Journalism

Business Administration/Management

Business Communications

Business Computer Processing

Business Economics

Business Education

Business Law

Business Machine Technologies

Business Marketing

Business Statistics

Business Systems Analysis

Business Systems Networking and Telecommunications

Canadian Studies

Carpentry

Cartography

Cell Biology

Celtic Studies

Ceramic Arts

Ceramic Science/Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering Technology

Chemical Technology

Chemistry

Chemistry Education

Child Care and Family Studies

Child Psychology/Development

Chinese

Chiropractic

Christian Education

Christian Studies

City/Community/Regional Planning

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering Technology

Civil/Structural Drafting

Classical/Ancient Civilization

Classical Languages

Clinical Psychology

Clinical Laboratory Science

Clothing and Textiles

Cognitive Science

Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics

Commercial Art

Commercial Diving

Communications

Communication Design

Communication Disorders

Communication Equipment

Technology

Communication Technology

Community Health Work

Community Leadership

Community Psychology

Community Services

Comparative Literature

Computer Education

Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering Technology

Computer Graphics

Computer Imaging

Computer Information Systems

Computer Maintenance Technology

Computer Management

Computer Programming

Computer Science

Computer Systems Analysis

Computer Technology and

Networking

Conservation and Regulation

Consumer Economics

Consumer Education

Consumer Services

Construction Engineering

Construction Management

Construction Technology

Corrections

Counseling Psychology

Court Reporting

Creative Writing

Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement

Criminology

Crop and Soil Science

Cultural Studies

Culinary Arts

Cybernetics

Cytotechnology

Dairy Science

Dance

Dance Education

Dance Therapy

Data Processing

Dental Hygiene

Dental Laboratory Technology

Dentistry

Design/Visual Communications

Developmental Psychology

Dietetics

Digital Multimedia

Distance Education

Drafting and Design

Drafting and Design Technology

Drama Education

Drama Therapy

Drawing

Drug and Alcohol Counseling

Early Childhood Education

Earth Science

East Asian Studies

Eastern European Studies

Ecology

Economics

Education

Education for the Deaf and Hearing

Impaired

Education of the Emotionally

Handicapped

Education of the Exceptional Child

Education of the Mentally

Handicapped

Education of the Multiple

Handicapped

Education of the Physically

Handicapped

Education of the Visually

Handicapped

Educational Administration

Educational Media

Educational Statistics and Research

Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology

Electromechanical Technology

Electronic Design

Elementary Education

Emergency and Disaster Science

Emergency Medical Technologies

Energy Management Technology

Engineering

Engineering and Applied Science

Engineering Design

Engineering Management

Engineering Mechanics

Engineering Physics

Engineering Sciences

Engineering Technology

English

English Composition

English as a Second Language

English Education

English Literature

Entomology

Entrepreneurial Studies

Environmental Biology

Environmental Design

Environmental Education

Environmental Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Technology

Environmental Geology

Environmental Health Science

Environmental Science

Equine Science

Ethics, Political and Social Policy

Ethnic Studies

European Studies

Evolution

Evolutionary Biology

Exercise Science

Experimental Psychology

Family and Community Services

Family Ministries

Family or Consumer Resource

Management

Family or Consumer Studies

Farm and Ranch Management

Fashion Design and Technology

Film and Video Productions

Film Studies

Financial Planning

Financial Services Marketing

Fine Arts

Fire Control and Safety Technology

Fire Protection

Fire Protection Engineering

Fire Science

Fish and Game Management

Fishing and Fisheries

Fluid and Thermal Science

Folklore and Mythology

Food Marketing

Food Production Management and

Services

Food Science

Food Services Management

Food Services Technology

Foreign Language Education

Foreign Languages/Literature

Forensic Studies

Forest Engineering

Forestry

Forestry Production and Process

Forest Management

Forest Technology

French

French Studies

Funeral Home Services

Furniture Design

General Science

General Studies

Genetics

Geochemistry

Geodetic Science

Geography

Geological Engineering

Geology

Geophysical Engineering

Geophysics and Seismology

Geosciences

German

Germanic Languages and Literature

Gerontology

Graphic Arts Technology

Graphic Design

Graphic and Printing Production

Greek

Greek (classical)

Greek (modern)

Guidance and Counseling

Guidance Education

Health and Wellness

Health Care Administration

Health Education

Health Science

Health Services Administration

Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Hebrew

Higher Education Administration

Hispanic American Studies

Historic Preservation

History

History of Philosophy

History of Science

Home Economics

Home Economics Education

Horticulture

Hospice Care

Hospital Administration

Hospitality Management Services

Hotel, Motel and Restaurant

Management

Human Development

Human Ecology

Humanities

Human Resources

Human Services

Humanities and Social Science

Hydraulic Technology

Hydrology

 

 

Illustration

Industrial Administration and

Management

Industrial Arts Education

Industrial Design

Industrial Engineering

Industrial and Organizational

Psychology

Industrial Engineering Technology

Industrial Hygiene

Information Sciences and Systems

Institutional Management

Instrumentation Technology

Insurance

Insurance and Risk Management

Interdisciplinary Studies

Interior Design

International Agriculture

International Business Management

International Economics

International Public Service

International Relations

International Studies

Internet Publishing/E-Commerce

Interpreting for the Deaf

Investments and Securities

Islamic Studies

Italian

Italian Studies

Japanese

Japanese Studies

Jazz

Journalism

Journalism Education

Jewish Studies

Justice Administration

Kinesiology

Labor and Industrial Relations

Laboratory Animal Medicine

Laboratory Technologies

Labor Relations/Studies

Landscape Architecture and Design

Landscaping Management

Land Use Management and

Reclamation

Languages

Laser Electro-Optics Technology

Latin

Latin American Studies

Law

Law Enforcement and Corrections

Learning Disabilities

Legal Secretarial Studies

Legal Studies

Liberal Arts and Humanities

Library Science

Limnology

Linguistics

Literature

Logistics and Materials Management

Management

Management Engineering

Management Information Systems

Management Science

Manufacturing Engineering

Manufacturing Technology

Marine Biology

Marine Engineering

Marine Science

Marine Technology

Maritime Science

Marketing

Marketing and Distribution

Marketing and Distribution Education

Marketing Management

Marketing, Retailing and

Merchandising

Marriage and Family Counseling

Mass Communications

Materials Engineering

Materials Science

Mathematics

Mathematics Education

Mechanical Design Technology

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Medical Assistant Technologies

Medical Biology

Medical Illustration

Medical Laboratory Science

Medical Laboratory Technology

Medical Nutrition

Medical Radiology/Sonography

Medical Records Administration/

Services

Medical Technology

Medical Science

Medieval Studies

Mental Health and Human Services

Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling

Metal and Jewelry

Metallurgical Engineering

Metallurgy

Mexican-American Studies

Microbiology

Middle Eastern Studies

Middle School Education

Military Science

Mining and Mineral Engineering

Mining and Petroleum Technology

Ministry

Missions

Modern Language

Molecular Biology

Multidisciplinary Studies

Multimedia

Museum Studies

Music

Musical Instrument Technology

Music Business Management

Music Education

Music History and Appreciation

Music Performance

Music Theory and Composition

Music Therapy

Musical Theater

Native American Studies

Natural Resource Management

Natural Sciences

Naval Architecture and Marine

Engineering

Naval Sciences

Near Eastern Studies

Neuroscience

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Engineering Technology

Nuclear Medical Technology

Nuclear Physics

Nuclear Technology

Nursing

Nursing Education

Nutrition

Nutrition Education

Occupational Safety and Health

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Ocean Engineering

Oceanography

Office Supervision and Management

Operating Room Technology

Operations Research

Optical Engineering/Technology

Optics

Optometric/Ophthalmic Technologies

Optometry

Organizational Behavior

Pacific Area Studies

Painting

Paleontology

Paper and Pulp Science

Paralegal Studies

Parks and Recreation Management

Pastoral Studies

Peace Studies

Percussion

Performing Arts

Perfusion Technology

Personnel Management

Pest Control Technology

Petroleum and Natural Gas

Engineering

Petroleum Technology

Pharmacology

Pharmacy

Philosophy

Photography

Physical Chemistry

Physical Education

Physical Fitness and Movement

Physical Sciences

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy Assistant

Physician’s Assistant Studies

Physics

Physiology

Planetary and Space Science

Plant Genetics

Plant Pathology

Plant Physiology

Plant Science

Plastics Engineering

Plastics Technology

Play/Screenwriting

Polish

Political Science and Government

Pollution Control Technologies

Polymer Science

Portuguese

Poultry Science

Pre-architecture

Pre-chiropractic

Pre-dental hygiene

Pre-dentistry

Pre-engineering

Pre-forestry

Pre-law

Pre-medicine

Pre-mortuary science

Pre-occupational therapy

Pre-optometry

Pre-osteopathy

Pre-pharmacy

Pre-physical therapy

Pre-physician assistant

Pre-podiatry

Pre-respiratory therapy

Pre-veterinary science

Printing Technology

Printmaking

Psychobiology

Psychology

Psychology Education

Public Administration

Public Affairs

Public Health

Public Policy

Public Relations

Publishing

Purchasing and Inventory

Management

Quality Control Technology

Quantitative Methods

Rabbinical/Talmudic Studies

Radiation Therapy

Radio and Television Technology

Radiograph Medical Technology

Radiological Sciences

Radiological Technology

Range Farm Management

Reading Education

Real Estate

Recreation and Leisure Services

Recreation Education

Recreation Therapy

Recreational Facilities Management

Rehabilitation Therapy

Religious Education

Religious Studies

Respiratory Therapy

Retailing

Robotics

Romance Languages

Rural Economics

Rural Sociology

Russian

Russian and Slavic Studies

Sacred Music

Safety and Security Technology

Safety Management

Sanitation Technology

Sanskrit and Indian Studies

Scandinavian Languages

Scandinavian Studies

School Psychology

Science

Science and Management

Science Education

Science of Creative Intelligence

Science Technology

Sculpture

Secondary Education

Secretarial Science

Slavic Languages

Small Business Management

Social Foundations

Social Psychology

Social Science

Social Science Education

Social Studies

Social Studies Education

Social Work

Sociobiology

Sociology

Soil Conservation

Solar Technologies

South Asian Studies

Southeast Asian Studies

Southwest American Studies

Spanish

Spanish Studies

Special Education

Specific Learning Disabilities

Speech Correction

Speech and Rhetoric

Speech Language Pathology/

Audiologist

Speech, Rhetoric, Public Address and

Debate

Speech Therapy

Sports Administration/Management

Sports Medicine

Statistics

Survey and Mapping Technology

Surveying Engineering

Systems Analysis

Systems Engineering

Systems Science

Teacher Aid Studies

Teacher Education/Certification

Teaching English as a Second

Language

Technical and Business Writing

Technical Education

Technological Management

Technology and Public Affairs

Telecommunications

Textile Arts

Textile Engineering

Textile Technology

Textiles and Clothing

Theater Arts/Drama

Theater Design

Theater Management

Theology/Theological Studies

Therapeutic Education

Third World Studies

Tourism and Travel

Toxicology

Trade and Industrial Education

Trade and Industrial Supervision

Management

Transportation Engineering

Transportation Management

Transportation and Travel Marketing

Transportation Technology

Ultrasound Technology

Urban Design

Urban Planning Technology

Urban Studies

Veterinary Science

Veterinary Technology

Video

Video/Film

Visual and Performing Arts

Vocational Education

Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling

Water Resources

Water Resources Engineering

Water Treatment Technology

Website Design

Welding Engineering

Welding Technology

Western European Studies

Western Civilizations and Culture

Wildlife Biology

Wildlife Management

Women’s Studies

Wood Science

Woodworking

Writing and Publishing

Yiddish

Youth Ministry

Zoology

 

 

 

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