Four year universities require that students choose an area of study with corresponding required classes, known as a major. Application forms typically allow students to specify a major or select “undeclared.” The benefit of choosing a major early is that you begin taking required courses immediately. Most undergraduate schools allow students to change their majors, however graduate programs do not. Below is a list of considerations you should think about when deciding on a major.
Type of Major |
Educational Goals |
Resources |
Major for specific job |
Think about what type of major will be most useful for your desired future profession |
O*net is a database of thousands of jobs and what type of education is required |
Major for specific interest |
Think about your interests, skills, favorite classes, and extracurricular activities |
Search university catalogues and course descriptions to see what classes seem to best combine all of your interest areas |
Major for general higher education |
Think about liberal arts studies or humanities which often allow for a large amount of variety in course selection |
Talk to university professors to find out which majors offer the most flexibility |
Major |
Description |
Possible Job Fields |
% of International Students |
Agriculture |
Food systems, farm management, natural resources |
Farms and ranching Federal, state, local agencies |
1.3% |
Architecture |
Design buildings and structures |
Drafting, design, and project administration Construction |
>1% |
Ethnic Studies |
Cultural awareness |
Public relations Community organizations |
>1% |
Arts |
Practicing arts |
Artist Advertising |
5.1% |
Biological Science |
Study of living organisms |
Research Teaching |
>1% |
Business |
Basic business principles |
General and specialized management Entrepreneurship |
17.8% |
Communication |
Communicating with the public |
Reporter Market Sales |
>1% |
Computer Science and Mathematics |
Theoretical aspects of the computer and emphasize math and science |
Programming Systems development |
7.9% |
Education |
Theory’s of teaching |
Teaching at institutions Administrative positions |
2.9% |
Engineering |
Practical design and productions |
Aeronautics, bioengineering, geology, etc. Technical activities |
15.3% |
Language and Literature |
Comprehensive reading and writing Foreign language |
International business Writing |
3.8% |
Health Science |
Applying the results of scientific investigation |
Rehabilitation Scientific machinery and materials |
4.9% |
Home Economics |
Food and textiles |
Social services Consumer-related industry |
>1% |
Humanities |
Different aspects of society |
Writing and journalism Government agencies |
2.8% |
Law |
Law and government |
Court system Law firms |
>1% |
Psychology |
Human behavior |
Counseling/Therapy Research |
>1% |
Religion |
History and theory of religion |
Ministry Teaching |
>1% |
Social Sciences |
People in relation to their society |
Government, business, community agencies Market and survey research |
8.4% |
If you are still undecided, it may help to take the majors quiz. Use the results to explore other options you may not have considered.