What is a College Major?
by David K. Moldoff, Founder of AcademyOne. Follow me on Twitter @DavidMoldoff
Specialization is the name of the game. Most college degrees will require a major. There are thousands to choose from. Explore College Majors and find institutions that offer them…
How can you keep things in perspective about your need to choose a major? This article summarizes what a college major is, how to choose majors and how/when to declare majors.
First, let’s define what majors are and why you eventually need to select one if you are going to aspire to finish a college degree in the United States. Majors are also called concentrations. An academic major or concentration is a college or university student’s main field of specialization during his or her associates or undergraduate studies which would be in addition to, and may incorporate portions of, a core curriculum. The core curriculum covers a range of subjects giving the student or learner a good basis of knowledge and exposure.
Second, recognize we live in a world of specialization. Industries – like transportation, communications, internet and health care can be divided and broken down into thousands of areas of specialization. An academic discipline, or field of study, is a branch of knowledge that is taught and researched at the college or university level. Disciplines cross industries –such as history, linguistics, literature, performing arts, philosophy, religion, social sciences, economics, geography, political science, natural sciences, mathematics and applied sciences. In no way was that list meant to itemize them all.
Third, majors help demonstrate how you learn to focus and apply yourself – much like a baseball player is assigned a position to play on defense or a lineup position in the batting order. Yet, the major does not actually prepare you for a specific job or position in the real world. In a hypothetical setting, colleges and universities utilize majors as a means to segment instruction across a range of academic departments. And, the major and departments, through concentrations, can then assess comprehension and learning outcomes.
Majors are not static – they will change and evolve over time. Things constantly change as knowledge, practices, technologies, industries, etc. continue to evolve and mankind continues to push the envelope. So, understanding that selecting a college major is not about picking one area of concentration for the rest of your life. It is more about picking an area of study – demonstrating your aptitude, perseverance, focus and ability to master subjects – which will be attractive to future employers or opportunities where your credential will be one of the characteristics that helps you stand out from the crowd.
Some students start college knowing exactly what they want to major in. Others don’t know what to major in because they are unsure, or have a career goal but don’t know which majors will get them there. In fact, most students find themselves switching majors during college at least once. As you think about which major is right for you, remember that uncertainty is normal and that the pressure to choose a major should be taken in context. The process of choosing a major, and discovering something that you are passionate about, can be exciting.
What is a college major? A major is simply a specific subject that students can specialize in while aspiring to a college degree. Typically, between a third and half of the courses you take in college are in your major or related to it. By completing a major, you demonstrate sustained, high-level work in one subject. In some majors, you prepare for a specific career. Depending on the college or university, you might be able to major in two subjects, have a major and a minor or even create your own major.
When should I declare a major? At most two-year colleges, you can declare a major depending upon whether you are enrolled for a career oriented major or preparing for transfer. You can enroll in general studies or target specific transfer arrangements. At most four-year colleges, you aren’t required to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year. If you’re in a two-year degree program, you’ll probably select a major earlier because your course of studies is much shorter.
How do I choose a major? Take courses in areas that appeal to you early in your academic path, and then try to focus on a subject that motivates you. Make sure that you have genuine interest, though. You’ll do better in class when you’re interested, and your motivation will continue through college and into a job if you pursue a professional degree. Read more about choosing a college major and utilize the College Major Checklist to evaluate them…
What if I want to go to grad school? If you think law school, medical school or grad school is in your future, you should know that some colleges offer pre-professional advising programs (such as Premed or Prelaw). These programs are not the same as majors, and you will still need to choose a major in another subject. As long as you fulfill a grad school’s course requirements, it really doesn’t matter what you major in.
Will my major dictate my profession? If you specialize in something like nursing, accounting or engineering, you’re learning a specific vocation and will likely continue with that. Most majors, however, prepare you for a range of job opportunities and professions – giving you the basis for more specialized training once you graduate. For most students, picking a college major is not the same as picking a profession or planning your career. It will be up to you to pursue and apply for opportunities. Job opportunities will come in many forms. It is up to you to articulate how your degree, skills, know-how, experiences and what you learned can bring value to your potential employer, customer or circumstance. The major helps develop the confidence in a specialized subject area – demonstrating you can apply yourself and succeed.
From a career and profession perspective, why not assess and select a major that is safe(r) from outsourcing. Global trends force companies to adjust as they address operating costs, competition and innovation. Outsourcing has played a major shift in our economic climate throughout the World. IT jobs, customer service, even health care, have been impacted by outsourcing trends overseas to large population centers. Explore the list of majors that can prepare you for careers and professions that have a higher likelihood of avoiding the pull of outsourcing.
