Class major

case of major

На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.

На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.

The next class of major projects includes network projects for territory development based on innovation technologies in specific science and technology areas.

Следующий класс крупных проектов — это сетевые проекты развития территории на основе применения новых технологий в конкретных научно-технических направлениях.

If the period of limitation is to be waived, it must be waived in connection with this class of major criminal offences — «because the recollection of such crimes does not fade from the memory of the generation that lived through them».

Если и существует необходимость вводить понятие неприменимости сроков давности, то оно должно относиться именно к этой категории тяжких уголовных преступлений, — «поскольку воспоминание об этих преступлениях не стирается в памяти поколения, пережившего их совершение».

Actually, if you start out from the postulates of the Council for National Strategy, Rodnaya Gazeta writes, in Russia confrontation between the regime and the class of major entrepreneurs has come to notice which is no laughing matter.

В самом деле, если исходить из постулатов СНС, пишет Родная газета, в России наметилась нешуточная конфронтация власти и класса крупных предпринимателей.

Другие результаты

Steroids such as cholesterol are another major class of lipids.

Стероиды, например холестерол, представляют собой ещё один большой класс липидов.

Стероиды, такие как холестерин, являются еще одним важным классом липидов 4).

The second major class of software is application software.

Соответственно, второй крупный класс программного обеспечения является прикладное программное обеспечение.

Besides the general requirements to hotels of a certain class, each of major international hotel operators has its own internal standards.

Помимо общих требований к гостиницам определенного класса, каждый крупный гостиничный оператор имеет свои внутренние стандарты.

But unlike fascist (and Sorel’s) nationalisms, today’s nationalism in the European Union is not pitting the ruling class of one major power against another but the national ‘malcontents’ against their own urban elites and migrants.

Но в отличие от фашистского (и сорелевского) национализма, современный национализм в Европейском союзе не сталкивает лбами правящие классы двух влиятельных сил, а стравливает «ропщущих» граждан национальных государств с их собственными городскими элитами и мигрантами.

IgG is the major class of antibodies.

Ничего не найдено для этого значения.

Результатов: . Точных совпадений: . Затраченное время: мс

Documents

Корпоративные решения

Спряжение

Синонимы

Корректор

Справка и о нас

Индекс слова: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900

Индекс выражения: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200

Индекс фразы: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200

That is, the major class of the emerging new society is primarily a professional class, based on knowledge, rather than property.

Вопервых, основной класс в нарождающемся социуме — это прежде всего класс профессионалов, владеющий знаниями, а не собственностью.

A scientific/technical writing sample such as a senior thesis, MS thesis, major class paper or professional report demonstrating your analytical and writing skills

Научный/ технический образец написания таких как старший тезис, М. С. тезисом, основной класс бумаги или профессионального доклада, демонстрирующего свои аналитические и письменные навыки

In general, brighter is better, with each color group representing a major class of antioxidants from Red tomatoes (lycopene), Orange carrots (beta-carotene), Green tea (catechins), Blueberries (flavonoids) and Purple grapes or açai berries (anthocyanins).

В общем, ярче, тем лучше, с каждым цветовым группа, представляющая большой класс антиоксидантов из красных томатов (ликопин), оранжевый морковь (бета-каротин), зеленого чая (катехины), черника (флавоноиды) и фиолетовый виноград или Асаи (антоцианины).

Consumption of carbapenems, a major class of last-line antibiotics, increased significantly from 2007 to 2010.

Потребление карбапенемов, основного класса антибиотиков последней линии, значительно увеличилось с 2007 по 2010 год.

the amounts recognised as of the acquisition date for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

суммы, признанные на дату приобретения, каждого основного класса приобретенных активов и принятых обязательств.

What’s so remarkable is this kind of mechanism is actually the opposite effect of a major class of antidepressants used to treat the condition, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Что замечательно, такой механизм является фактически противоположным эффектом основного класса антидепрессантов, используемых для лечения этого состояния, называемого селективными ингибиторами обратного захвата серотонина (СИОЗС).

Despite what you may have heard, every major class of operating system-including both Linux and Android (which is a mobile-optimized Linux fork)-is susceptible to viruses.

Несмотря на различные слухи, каждый основной класс операционной системы, включая Linux и Android (которая является оптимизированной под мобильные устройства системой на основе Linux), восприимчив к вирусам.

Another major class of interferons is that of beta-interferons (IFN-beta), the presently most important representatives in therapy being IFN-beta-1a and IFN-beta-1b.

Другой большой класс интерферонов — это бета-интерфероны (бета-ИФН), а самыми важными представителями этого класса в терапии являются бета-ИФН-1a и бета-ИФН-1b.

This was enough to destroy ships of all major classes.

In doing so, packaging provides protection from 3 major classes of external influences: chemical, biological, and physical.

При этом упаковка обеспечивает защиту от З основных классов внешних воздействий: химического, биологического и физического.

Two major classes include benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine medications.

Два основных класса включают бензодиазепиновые и небензодиазепиновые препараты.

All healthy people generate both major classes of p63 proteins.

Basic technical understanding of AI, including major classes of algorithms and their requirements.

Основы технического понимания ИИ, включая основные классы алгоритмов и их требования.

The four major classes of molecules found in living things are giants in the microscopic world.

Четыре основных класса молекул, найденных в живых существах, являются гигантами в микроскопическом мире.

Although the classifications are different in every country, two major classes generally exist.

Хотя классификации различны в каждой стране, обычно существуют два основных класса.

There are two major classes of chemotherapy drugs that are most active during this phase of the cell cycle.

Есть два основных класса химиотерапевтических препаратов, которые наиболее активны во время этой фазы клеточного цикла.

Starting college means a lot of changes. Beyond choosing a school, there are nuances in college that don’t exist elsewhere. Knowing small differences between things like a class vs. course can help you plan better for your future.

What is a Major?

Most college degrees entail choosing a major. A major is your specialized area of study. Another word for a major is a concentration. This subject makes up a student’s core curriculum, or the bulk of the courses taken.

At the same time, students are usually required to take elective courses. Elective courses are outside of one’s major, but help contribute to a well-rounded education.

What is a Course?

A course is a series of classes. These classes are all in one area of study. Therefore, when choosing a major, you will take courses geared towards that major. Courses are assigned credits. Colleges dictate how many credits you need to take to graduate.

Sometimes, there will be lower division courses and upper division courses.

In general, lower division courses focus on general education and occur in the beginning of college. Once students earn enough course credits, they move up into upper division courses. These courses are major-specific. Therefore, they may be more in-depth and often provide more of a challenge because they are specialized.

What is a Class?

The word class is often misused as a synonym for a course, but it is different. In college, the word “class” is used to describe a particular instance of a course. For example, a student may say, “I have to go to my Algebra II class now.”

Most of the time, class is used to informally describe a course. For example, students may ask, “How many classes are you taking?”

Main Differences

This is an easy roadmap to tell the difference between a course or class.

All You Need to Know About Courses

When it comes to courses, there’s a lot to know. There are various types of courses, numbering systems, and differentiators.

Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about courses:

Kinds of Courses

A lecture generally takes place in a large room with theatre-like seating. A professor stands in the front and talks for most of the time. During this time, students take notes. A lecturer may use a PowerPoint presentation, whiteboard, handouts, etc.

Discussion

Many institutions supplement a lecture with a discussion. A discussion may also be called a section. In a discussion, it’s a small setting that’s more like a classroom. In discussions, you talk with peers, go over homework, ask questions and work with a teacher’s assistant.

Seminar

Seminars are when a professor meets with a smaller group of students. More often than not, seminars happen in advanced courses. For example, seminars are typical in graduate school. They are more personal and teach students on-the-job skills and research methods.

Lab

Laboratory is part of many science curricula. This is where students apply what’s learned in class to practice hands-on in a lab setting.

Studio

A studio is to arts and humanities students what a lab is to science students. It’s a place for students to apply theory from class to their work. For example, there may be a drawing studio or painting studio.

Independent Study

Sometimes a university may not offer exactly what a student is interested in learning. At times, you can design your own study through independent study. In this case, a professor and student will meet outside of regular classes. Independent study tends to be research-heavy.

Elective and Required Courses

Courses are often broken up by major-specific classes and non-major-specific classes. In this way, institutions designate how many units, or credits, of each must be attained to graduate. Required courses are also called core courses. Elective courses are outside of one’s major and allow students a chance to learn about other subjects that interest them.

Course Numbering

Colleges and universities have a system for naming and numbering courses. In the United States, a course is often named after an abbreviation of the major and then given a 3- to 4-digit number.

For example, for History majors, a course may be called HIS246. The first number can either refer to the level at which the course is intended to be taken, or it could refer to a particular topic.

How Do Online Classes Work?

Some of the biggest benefits of attending college online include:

However, for every class that is taken, the work is 100% online – and tuition-free! There are discussion forums where peers can work together and all class information is transferred or uploaded digitally. The coursework is strategically designed by experts and professors from around the world to prepare students to enter the workforce.

The Bottom Line

Remember, when choosing a major (and, in turn, your courses), it’s useful to pick something you genuinely are interested in learning about. From electives to core classes, you will graduate with a degree and a vast amount of useful knowledge to be applied in work and in life.

When you start thinking about attending university, words like “degree” and “major” are very common to hear, and may also often be used interchangeably. But there’s a bit of a difference between these words, and as a college student, it’s good to know these differences so that you can understand them correctly and use them appropriately. So, what is the actual difference between a degree vs. major? Let’s find out!

What is a Major in College?

A “major” in college is the specific area of study you’re focusing on while you’re on your path to earn your degree. This speciality is ideally in line with the career you’ll want to go into after graduating, so some students may like to choose a very specific major while others may prefer something more broad.

Once you declare your major — which should ideally happen when you start school or by the end of sophomore year — your coursework (outside of your general education courses) will focus on relevant topics.

Examples of College Majors

What is a “Degree” in College?

Oftentimes, you’ll hear people say, “I’m getting a degree in _____.” Then, you’ll hear them fill the end of the sentence with the name of their major. This can be confusing. Which one is the degree and which one is a major?

Well, now that you know what a major is, a degree is what you earn at the end of completing your major and other college coursework requirements. You can earn your degree in whatever major you choose as long as you complete the course work. There are several kinds of academic degrees you can pursue. Not all degrees have majors; that typically refers to a bachelor’s degree.

Types of Degrees

There are four types of academic degrees, and each one has a different length of study, different course/major options, and level.

Associate Degree

A two-year degree which is a good introduction to college and a specific major. You can choose a major for an associate’s, but it may be a bit broader. An associate’s, therefore, may be a good opportunity to focus on your general education courses.

Bachelor’s Degree

A four-year degree in which you choose a major and graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in that major. The two most common are Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts.

Master’s Degree

This is typically a two-year program in which you can further your education after earning your bachelor’s degree. Most people choose a master’s degree program that’s an extension of their bachelor’s in order to further their expertise, but others may get a master’s in another subject area completely.

Doctoral Degree

This is the highest level of standing a student can pursue. There are different types of doctoral degrees depending on your field, but a common one is Ph.D.

What is a Degree Program?

Your degree program can be thought of as a combination of your major and degree. While there may be cases in which a school does not require their students to declare a specialization (i.e., major, minor, certificate program, etc.), most will by a certain deadline of your academic career.

Once you enter your degree program, you’re required to complete the amount of credits within your program in order to matriculate and earn your degree in your major. In some cases, you may also be required to complete an internship, field work, student teaching, and/or a thesis.

Choosing a Degree Level

Perhaps you know what major you want to declare or what you’re interested in studying while in school. But, maybe you’re not too sure about the particular degree level. A lot of this depends on how much education you’ve already had, what your goals are, your budget, and your current schedule.

However, the good news is no matter what type of degree you pick, there’s usually some flexibility in terms of when you can take your classes, for instance, if you work or raise a family full-time.

A bachelor’s degree is a good place to start if you’re looking to specialize by choosing a major to study, and then if you want to further your education thereafter, you can. While an associate’s is also a good starting point, it may be worth it for you to get the bachelor’s, as you’ll have more job opportunities for just two more years of school.

Popular Undergraduate Degrees

A degree specialization is an opportunity to take your major to the next level by taking on what’s known as a minor or a concentration. This can be a great way to supplement your major with a more specific course of study that will either make you more specialized in your field (for instance, a major in education with a minor in a foreign language so that you can work in ESL communities), or to broaden your candidacy in general, (for example, majoring in engineering but minoring in English literature).

What’s the Difference Between a Major and Degree?

Though you now understand the main differences between a degree and a major and also how the two overlap, there are a few more factors that set the two apart. By being able to make these distinctions, you can be sure that you fully understand how a major and degree are different and how they are similar, and use the proper terminology when referring to either one.

This is a good first example of how a degree and major overlap. In order to earn your bachelor’s degree, you would need to take 120 credits altogether. In order to earn your bachelor’s degree in a specific major, 36 of those 120 credits need to be in your major.

A Major is Required for a College Degree

If you’re excited about going to college to learn and not necessarily focused on majoring in one particular field, know that in order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, you’ll really need those 36 credits in your major, along with the remaining credits in electives and general education courses. This makes it very difficult to get a bachelor’s degree without declaring a major. Therefore, if you’re unsure about what you want to major in, consider getting a bachelor’s in liberal arts, or putting off college until you’re more certain.

How Does a Major Play an Important Role in a College Degree?

A major plays an important role in a college degree because it ensures that you are taking the amount of coursework required to earn your bachelor’s in a specialized field of study.

Otherwise, your college degree would just be made up of random classes without focusing in one area. This can make it difficult to enter the job market, as employers want someone who has the knowledge and experience in one specific subject.

What’s the Difference Between a College Major and a College Minor?

There are many differences between a major and a minor, but the biggest distinction is the amount of credits required. While a major requires 36 credits in your chosen field, a minor typically requires 15 credits.

Double Major vs. Dual Degree

With college tuition being a time and financial commitment, it’s no wonder that some students would want to get the most out of their education as possible. That’s why you might consider doing either a dual degree or double major.

The difference between a dual degree vs double major is:

A double major is when you graduate with one degree, but with two specializations. You complete two sets of degree requirements for one degree. For example, this could be a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and special education.

A dual degree is when you get two degrees at the same time, for instance, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. It’s a much faster way of getting two degrees at once, because otherwise, you’d have to go to school consecutively for eight years, whereas doing it this way could get you two degrees in half the time!

There are a lot of terms to get familiar with when thinking about attending college, and knowing the difference between a degree and a major is just the start of it. However, if you’re stuck on what degree you should get or what major you should declare, and you want to make a good choice because of the cost of tuition, know there are alternatives.

At University of the People (UoPeople), you can earn your degree with a choice of different majors/degree programs, and your entire program will be tuition-free and online. The university also offers potential undergraduate certificate programs that can give one a start in their chosen field of study. It allows one time to explore the field before enrolling in a full-time major or degree and also works well as an additional qualification if one already has a major.

Here at Occam Education, we are immersed in the language of academics every single day. Our job is partly to be well-versed in the terms that higher education institutions use to talk about what they do, what they are like, and what they have to offer students. However, the terms that we use sometimes change. On top of that, these terms do vary in their usage from country to country.

It is very easy to get confused by terms that education professionals like us take for granted. Because we understand that the ambiguity of words can make it very hard to understand exactly what people like us are talking about, the «Defining the Terms» series is designed with parents and students in mind.

Between the usual American and UK universities we cover now, and the international institutions we will talk about in the future, how can you easily tell which term means what? To be honest, it will not always be immediately clear. And as in any profession, context is everything. What we can do, however, is provide some clarification.

Not only are some of these terms confusing, the college application process is a complex and often stressful one. We at Occam strive to make this process as clear, and dare I say it, as pleasant as possible. This is why we created Wend, our free app which helps you search for colleges, keep track of deadlines, and manage your application-related tasks.

This post will talk about three of perhaps the most fluid terms in American, Canadian, and UK higher education: major, course and class.

A «major» is a term common to American and Canadian higher education parlance.1 A student’s «major» refers to what their primary area of study is.2 For instance, a common question students in the US will ask one another is «what is your major?», to which students respond with what field they are working for a degree in.

A student who successfully completes the courses prescribed in a major qualifies for an undergraduate degree with the name of the major attached to it. For example, a student who completes an Arabic Studies major at the University of Notre Dame earns a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Arabic Studies. Another term for a major is «specialization,» a term used by Babson College.

Similarly, when people have earned their degrees or left university in the US, the questions «What is your degree in?» and «What did you major in?» mean the same thing.

This term has very different meanings in the US and UK higher educational systems. In the UK, a «course» or «course of study» refers to what subject a student is seeking a degree in.3 This is what US systems call a «major,» as we talked about above. Oxford University, for example, encourages students to choose their course (not major) before they apply. UK universities do not use the term «major.»

A «course» can also refer to a series of lectures taken over a certain period of time in the UK.4

In the US, a «course» refers to an individual lecture or «class» offered in a given semester. The term «course» is also used to discuss individual Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) lectures in high school. (This is to emphasize the accelerated level of work required of students.)

The term «course of study» is often used with the same meaning as «major» in the US. This usage, however, is usually reserved for legal documents such as student visa applications and other immigration forms. However, it is occasionally used when discussing the series of lectures and examinations that American students take to complete their degree. (This is also called a «concentration.»)

A «class» in the US is a more colloquial term for an individual lecture or semester-long course.5 Students often use the phrases «I am going to class» or «I am taking a class with Dr. Person this semester.»

Students will often use the term «coursework» to refer to the things they must accomplish to earn their degree or pass a class/ lecture in both the US and the UK.

There is a further meaning of this term that has nothing to do with lectures or majors or courses at all in the United States. When someone says that they are in the «University of Chicago Class of 2016,» they mean that they graduated/earned their degree from the University of Chicago in the year 2016. In a previous post on Harvard’s early action admissions, we used the term «Harvard College Class of 2021.» This meant that the statistics matched the students who will graduate from Harvard in the year 2021. This particular usage of the word «class» is not common in the UK.

«Hono(u)rs,» «Concentration» and «Minor»

«Honours» (UK) and «minor» (US) are closely related but also vastly different.

In the US, a minor is a student’s declared secondary field of study or specialization. Minors and majors differ in that the former is subordinate to the latter. As with a major, the college or university in question lays out a framework of required classes a student must complete to earn the minor. This also varies greatly among schools.

For example, a student can be majoring in Religious Studies and earning a minor in Creative Writing at the same time. This means that a student will take a certain, but smaller, number of lectures in the subject of Creative Writing. The number and type of these courses is always far less than the major subject, and is either determined by the department offering the lectures or is agreed upon between department and student.

In the UK, the term «Honours» means the quality with which student has completed their primary (and sometimes secondary) course of study. While there are degrees of honours in degrees awarded by UK universities, most undergraduate degrees will use the term «honours» before the subject. However, earning honours in two subjects can mean that the student had either

The term can also be used to indicate that a student completed a project with a high degree of quality or innovation.

«Honors» in the US means that a student was either enrolled in an honors program (which will have its own coursework requirements aside from the core courses for their major), or that they earned some kind of special distinction. It generally does not refer to the specific subjects they studied.

«Concentration» is where things can get truly confusing. A concentration is somewhere between a major and a minor in US parlance. Generally, this term refers to the kinds of classes/courses a student focuses on within their primary field of study.

For example, a Colorado State student majoring in mathematics in the US might be taking several classes in numerical analysis and computing. In this case, they would earn a B.S. degree in Mathematics with a concentration (or «emphasis») in Applied Mathematics. Similarly, an East London University student might enter a course in Psychology with a «focus,» or «track» in Positive Psychology. Other terms for this include «path of study (UK).»

We know that the U.S. application system can be confusing, so feel free to use Wend’s Q&A feature to ask our team of counselors any specific questions you may have!

Notes

While at college, you’ll need to pick a major, an area of study that you’ll specialize in.

In this article, we’ll answer the question “what is a major,” give the best college major definition, and talk you through how to decide which major to pick.

When you get to college, you’ll need to pick a specific subject area to specialize in. That subject area is called a major.

Your major will dictate the coursework you take. Ultimately, most students take about half of their coursework within their major’s department.

As we said before, the vast majority of schools require students to pick a major. A handful of schools don’t require you to major in anything at all, while at other places, you can major in more than one subject. Some students might choose to major in two subject areas, such as Anthropology and History. Other students might choose to have a major and a minor, which is a specialization that requires fewer courses than a major does.

Most majors are outlined by the university: you’ll have to choose a set subject area and pick classes from a pre-selected workload.

Some schools, however, allow students to design their own major. In this scenario, you’d work with an advisor to create a class load that matches what you want to study. For instance, if you wanted to study Human Rights, but your school doesn’t have a Human Rights major, you might select classes from History, Anthropology, Sociology, and Political science to create this new major. It’s important to note that not all schools allow students to create their own major. If creating your own major is something you’re interested in, you’ll need to talk to your advisor.

What Is a Major? What Is a Concentration? What Is a Degree?

When it comes to your college major, there are a lot of words that are thrown around: major, concentration, minor, degree. What do they all mean? Let’s take a closer look.

Your major is your specific subject area that you specialize in.

A concentration, on the other hand, typically refers to a set course of study within that major. For instance, if you’re a Classics major, you might have a concentration in Latin or a concentration in Ancient Greek. Think of it as a way of specializing even more. That being said, some colleges and universities call their majors concentrations instead. So, depending on where you attend, the terminology might mean something different.

A minor is a set area of study, as well, but you need to complete fewer courses for a minor than a major. If you need to take 16 classes in your subject area to major, you might only need to take 10 to achieve a minor. The exact number of classes you’ll need to take depends on your school.

Your degree is what you receive at the end of your college career. Your degree indicates that you completed the course of study outlined by your school. Your degree also signifies that you completed coursework in many different subject areas, not just those in your major. For instance, if you’re a Calculus major but took a class in American History, that class will count towards your degree, but not your major.

When Do You Need to Declare a Major?

When you declare your major depends on a couple factors: what’s required at your school and when you decide what you want to study.

Most colleges and universities require you to pick a major by the end of your sophomore year. In fact, some schools don’t even let you pick until then. At other places, however, you can declare before you start classes. Some students arrive at school knowing exactly what they want to study; others take a longer time to sample and understand their different options.

How to Pick a Major

Wondering how to pick a major? This four-step guide will help.

Consider What You’re Interested In

First, consider your interests. The vast majority of your coursework will be in your major’s field, so you don’t want to pick something that bores you. If you hate English, for instance, you probably shouldn’t be an English major!

Pick something that you’ll want to study and enjoy learning about for the rest of your time at college.

Talk to Other People in That Department

Once you’ve decided on a few subject areas that interest you, talk to other students in those departments. Get a sense from them of what the upcoming coursework is like and what opportunities are available. Maybe you’ll find that the upper-level coursework changes tack and becomes something you’re not super interested in. Or, maybe you’ll find that your least favorite professor teaches all the advanced courses. Either way, it’s good to know what you’re getting into.

Research Career Prospects

For some students, their major has a big impact on their career potential. For others, it’s not as big of a deal. If you’re looking to work in a field that requires specific training, like computer science or biology, then your major will need to line up with that path. If, however, you’re not 100% sure what your career will be, don’t worry. Many people end up working in fields that are different than what they majored in. It is, however, a good idea to research your major and see what kinds of jobs most people end up having.

Meet With an Advisor in the Department

Finally, you should meet with an advisor in your potential major’s department. You’ll likely get a new advisor when you declare your major, so it’s helpful to speak with some of the options ahead of time to get their perspective on what they teach and whether or not it’s a good fit for you.

So, what is a major in college? The best college major definition is that your college major is the specific area that you’ll spend most of your time in college studying. Most colleges and universities have tons of options for topics you can study for your major.

What’s Next?

Still stressed about selecting a major? Learn how to choose a major for your college application, and then check out our post on the average college GPA by major.

What are the best college majors? We’ve come up with a list of the very best majors by looking at their salary potential and employment growth. See if your major made the cut!

If you’re thinking longer-term about your career prospects, you might be interested in learning more about job shadowing. It’s a great way to test out a profession to see whether it might be a good fit for you!

Want to build the best possible college application?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world’s best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We’ve overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

About the Author

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley’s students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack’s Guide to History’s Fiercest Females.

When you get to college, you’ll need to pick a major—a specific area of study that you’ll specialize in. Your major can have a big impact on what you decide to do for work, as well as, obviously, how you spend your time in school.

In this article, we’ll give a comprehensive college majors list so you can see what options there are. Review this list of majors (we have hundreds!) so you’re well informed on all the different routes you can take as a college student.

What Majors Will My College Have?

While most colleges and universities have similar majors, the specific majors you can choose from depends on the college you go to. Some places have similar types of majors that have different names (for instance, Biology vs Biological Sciences).

If you’re curious whether or not your college has a specific major, the best thing to do is check your college’s course catalog. You’ll be able to see all of the specific majors you can choose from, as well as what courses you can take in of the different majors.

The Complete List of All College Majors

Whatever degree you’re thinking about, it’s probably on this list of majors. Here’s the complete list of college degrees.

Agriculture & Natural Resources Conservation

College Majors List

Biological and Physical

Now that you know what your major options are, here’s how to choose a major.

Think About Your Interests

While not everyone ends up taking a job in their major’s field (I didn’t!), many do. The training you receive in your major will help you when you’re applying for jobs, especially if you’re in a science or technology field where you’ll need specific practical skills.

Remember You Can Change

Finally, don’t stress about your major! You can always change it. And, as I mentioned before, your major doesn’t always align with your job. Ultimately, your major is something that you’ll study and (hopefully) enjoy during your time at college. It doesn’t have to determine your entire future!

Your college major is the specific area of study that you’ll focus on throughout most of your college career. There are hundreds of college majors you can choose from. Consult this list of all college majors and your college’s course catalog to see what your options are. Remember, if you don’t like your major, you can always change later!

What’s Next?

Wondering what the worst majors are? Our in-depth guide lists the majors with the lowest salaries and highest unemployment rates.

What are the easiest majors? The hardest majors? Read all about which majors you might have an easier or more difficult time with here.

Considering double majoring? We tell you what a double major is and go over the pros and cons of having two majors in college.

When it comes to choosing a college major, pithy truisms and conflicting advice abound. But whose advice can you trust? In this no-nonsense guide, we’ll help you figure out how to choose a major in college based on what’s important to you.

After a brief introduction to the dilemma of choosing a major we’ll reveal the most important part of choosing a major in college. Then we’ll go over what work you should be doing to help you pick a major in a variety of situations—before college, during college, and if any special circumstances arise. Finally, we’ll give some parting thoughts on major selection.

What Major Should I Choose? Help Me!

I imagine that if you are reading this article, you are feeling some level of uncertainty or anxiety about choosing a college major. This is completely understandable. As parents, teachers, and counselors have no doubt hammered into you, choosing a major in college is an important decision. It’s one of the first big independent decisions of your academic and professional life. In many ways, choosing a major functions as a rite of passage in the process of becoming an adult.

Some people know what to major in in college before they even start high school. However, most people don’t, so if you have no idea how to choose a college major, don’t panic. (Even if you’re a second-semester sophomore in college!)

With that said, neither I nor anyone else can tell you what major to choose. And if you do let someone else choose for you (like your parents), you’re likely to be miserable. The truth is that the process of thoughtfully selecting the best major for you takes work—work that you need to put in yourself.

While I can’t do that work for you, I can tell you the foundational principles of investigating and ultimately picking a college major.

Or just major in kitty cuddling and call it a day.

The Most Important Task for Picking a Major

The most important task for choosing a major in college is deciding on your own priorities and goals. Too much of the advice out there on how to pick a major assumes you have particular goals or tells you what your priorities should be.

Even your own parents may be focused on particular priorities and goals that don’t match up with yours. Family conflict around major choice is a common issue. This may be especially salient for you if your parents are paying for part (or all) of your education.

It is reasonable to listen to your parents’ concerns and advice. However, it’s important to remember that it’s ultimately your major. You will have to do the work and ultimately leverage that major as you transition into the workforce. If you are studying something you are not really interested in, you may not be very motivated to succeed (or maybe even to attend class). So you need to ask, «Which college major is right for me?»

Here’s some advice on discussing any change in your major plans with your parents. If your parents are paying for your education and they want input into your plans, you can also consider compromises like majors that are agreeable to both of you, double majors, or minors.

For you to be able to choose a college major that makes sense for you, you first need to figure out what you want out of a college major. For some people, knowing they will almost always be able to find a job throughout their lives is most important. For others, being able to pursue a particular intellectual interest is the critical factor. Most people are motivated by some combination of factors that they weigh in balance.

These factors will guide you towards the answer to the question «What college major is right for me?»

Here are some factors you will probably want to consider when you go about choosing a major:

Of course, your interests are an important part of picking a major. If you really dislike what you are studying, you will be miserable. Additionally, you won’t be particularly motivated to complete your coursework. So it is essential that you are actually interested in what you are studying. As part of that, you should be able to envision yourself using at least some of the skills you are learning in your major in the workforce.

With that said, people place differing premiums on how interested they need to be in their major. For some people, only studying their one true passion—be it Greek and Roman military history or tropical horticulture—will do. However, many people have several areas of interest that they could envision themselves pursuing. For example, I considered going to art school for a BFA. I also considered majoring in biology or in English. (I ended up majoring in folklore and mythology—more on that later.) The ultimate deciding factors in my major choice weren’t necessarily related to what I was most passionate about, because I was genuinely very interested in everything I considered. Other factors came into play when I made my final decision. So your interests will likely guide you, but they may not be the primary deciding factor when you choose a major.

You will also find that new interests arise when you get to college and you have access to more possible courses of study. When I arrived at college, I was able to take classes about religion and anthropology, which ultimately led me to the folklore and mythology program. So keep an open mind about your interests throughout the major selection process, especially once you arrive at school.

Her intense love of potato chips led her to food science.

Your Abilities

You should also consider what you’re good at when you think about how to choose your major.

This doesn’t mean that you should definitely major in whatever you are best at in high school. For one thing, you will probably discover new talents in college as you take courses in areas that weren’t available to you in high school. For another thing, the thing that you’re «best» at is not necessarily what aligns best with all your other priorities and goals.

The main principle here is that it’s probably not a great idea to major in something that you know you are pretty weak in. If you’ve barely pulled C’s in math all through high school, being a math major (or a similarly math-heavy major like engineering or physics) is probably not the best move.

The bottom line is that you should be confident that you will be able to do well in most of your coursework in your area of study.

Future Employability

When you think about how to pick your major, it makes sense to consider what kind of job prospects you will have once you have your degree. Will you be able to find a job? How hard will it be? Will you have to move to where the jobs are, or are there jobs everywhere?

There are a few ways to approach these questions. You can research professions facing shortages to get an idea of areas where you would be likely to find employment. Professions facing shortages include nursing, engineering, various computer science disciplines, accounting and finance, and teaching.

In addition to looking at shortages, you can look at growth industries. (Of course, there’s overlap here; if there aren’t enough skilled workers available to fill these growth industries, there will be a shortage! But it’s a slightly different angle). Some industries currently experiencing growth include nursing and other allied health professionals, finance, and data science. Within those groups, there are tons of different kinds of jobs available, and a variety of potential majors could lead you into those industries.

Note that there may or may not be a very clear link between a certain major and a certain job or industry. For some majors, it’s fairly clear what sort of job(s) the degree will lead to. A degree in teaching will lead to teaching, a degree in nursing to nursing, and so on. For others, it’s less clear. A degree in communications or sociology or public policy could lead to a variety of jobs.

Thus, in terms of future employability, don’t just think in terms of what job title you will be qualified for, because those things shift all the time. Think about the skills you will learn in your major, and how much those skills are in demand. For example, as data becomes a super-important part of the economy, skills related to data and data analysis are super-valuable. This includes skills in statistical analysis and database construction and architecture. Majors in statistics and computer science are good choices if you are hoping to meet that demand.

Note also that employability and salary aren’t one and the same. Teachers are notoriously underpaid, but if you do become a teacher, you will almost certainly be able to find a job.

What does all this mean for you? Research the employability prospects associated with a particular major. Think about the skills you will learn and the potential jobs you could have, and check out the employment prospects for those skills and jobs.

While this is far from foolproof—predicting job shortages and growth isn’t 100% accurate—it still provides valuable information that can give you at least a general idea of whether you are likely to find a job easily or whether it will take more work and require more flexibility in location etc. on your part.

The school you go to also plays somewhat into your general employability. At Ivy League and other top-ranked schools, most students are generally able to find jobs (even ones that are totally unrelated to what they studied) regardless of what they majored in. This is not as true at less selective schools, where graduates may struggle much more to find a job in some less marketable fields than in other more marketable ones.

Future Income Potential

You will probably also want to consider your future income potential at least somewhat when you think about how to pick a major. This is far from an exact science but still a valuable exercise. If having a high salary is important to you, you need to be realistic about your interests; professions like teaching and social work typically pay very poorly so those may not be the best bet for a major. By contrast, majors like computer science and engineering tend to have a sunny salary outlook.

You can find lots of data on the median salary of graduates with particular majors. This is a valuable starting place. As you can see from the PayScale data, engineering, computer science, mathematics and finance-focused degrees dominate the list of best-paying majors. But it also includes physician assistant studies and government. By contrast, the lowest-paid majors tend to be concentrated in education, service industries, pastoral and religious studies, and social work and counseling.

But the median and mid-career salary data here doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. For one thing, in some of these professions, there is a high degree of income variability: graphic designers, for example, are low-paid in general, but the highest paid graphic designers can easily command six-figure salaries. You certainly can’t assume that you will be among the highest-paid in your field, but you should know when higher salaries are at least possible.

Additionally, sometimes your ultimate income potential depends a lot on graduate school. Psychology majors are low-paid unless they get advanced degrees, in which case they get a huge salary bump. So if you’re already intending on graduate school, this is something to keep in mind as you choose a major.

Again, it’s hard to predict exactly what your salary could be solely based on your major, especially long-term. But doing research can at least keep you in a realistic frame of mind.

Particular Career Interests

You might also have a very specific goal, like becoming an astrophysicist, or a doctor, or a lawyer. Some (but not all) very specific career goals require specific majors, or at least specific courses and activities. For example, if you want to be an engineer, you have to get an engineering degree. If you want to be a doctor, you need to fulfill your med school prerequisites, or else you might have to complete an expensive post-baccalaureate pre-med program later. On the other hand, if you want to be a journalist, there are lots of majors that can accommodate that goal. And if you think you might want to go to business or law school, you have plenty of leeway in your choice of undergraduate major.

If you do have a very specific goal that requires a particular academic path, that probably needs to be your top priority in how to pick a college major.

Heart set on designing airplanes? You probably need to major in aeronautical engineering.

How to Choose a Major

There’s a good chance that you will change your mind about your major at least once you get to college. You’ll be exposed to a lot of options you didn’t consider before. You’ll also grow and change. However, there are still some things you can do before college that will help you figure out how to pick a major.

Start Exploring Majors Early

Your high school schedule may be pretty rigid, filled up every year with math, science, English, history/social studies, gym, and maybe a foreign language. This often leaves you with very few electives. However, there are still things you can do to explore different academic and career areas:

With all that said, don’t feel too panicked if you can only do mostly surface-level exploration into choosing a college major at this stage. High school is a high-pressure endeavor; you will be able to consider your interests as you get to college (and throughout your life!) Just do what you can and remain thoughtful and curious about possible courses of study.

Major benefit to shadowing a vet: cute animals.

Plan If You Have a Specific Long-Term Goal

If you do have a very specific long-term career goal that typically requires particular schooling at the bachelor level (like engineering, teaching, or nursing), you will have to be more mindful about choosing a major and school while you are still in high school.

If you already know you are interested in a particular major, it makes sense to apply to schools with strong programs in that area. Additionally, at many schools, you have to specifically apply to a certain major or academic area.

While you should certainly keep exploring and keep an open mind, it’s typically easier to transfer out of competitive divisions like engineering or nursing than to transfer into them. So it makes sense to apply to those divisions and then transfer out if you change your mind later.

Select Schools and Programs Wisely

The less sure you are of your interests, the more flexibility you want at your school. If you have no idea what to major in, it’s not a great idea to go somewhere where you have to declare what you are studying going in. You’re better served going to a school where you can explore for at least two semesters before you have to declare.

If you are very sure of your major, you should still consider what your situation will be if you change your mind. If you go to a school that is highly ranked for one program and poorly ranked for everything else, think about what you might do if you want to transfer out of that highly ranked program. Will you transfer schools? Or are you fine with the possibility of finishing in a less prestigious program than you started in? Or maybe you are just very, very confident that you won’t change your mind! This also applies to things like going to art school; if you get there and decide the whole thing is not for you, your only real option is typically to transfer (at least within University divisions, if not to a different school completely). This isn’t a reason not to do it, but it is something you should be aware of.

Choices here, there, and everywhere.