Summary:
A major is the primary academic field a student chooses to focus on during their undergraduate studies at a college or university. It determines the core set of courses a student must complete in order to earn their degree, and it often reflects their career interests or intellectual passions.
What Is a Major?
In the U.S. higher education system, a major refers to a student’s chosen area of academic concentration within a bachelor’s degree program. Every undergraduate student is required to select a major, usually by the end of their second year (sophomore year). The major represents the subject in which the student will complete the most coursework and is often the field in which they will earn their degree title—such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science.
Choosing a major determines which classes a student must take to graduate, although students also take courses in other subjects as part of their general education requirements.
When and How Students Choose Their Major
At most U.S. colleges, students are not required to declare a major immediately upon entering. Instead, they begin with a combination of general education and introductory courses. This gives students time to explore different subjects before committing to a specific field.
When students are ready, they officially "declare" their major—usually by submitting a form through the registrar or advising office. Some schools allow students to enter as "undeclared," while others require immediate admission into a major, especially for competitive programs like engineering or business.
Types of Majors
Majors can be found in nearly every field of study, ranging from the humanities and social sciences to natural sciences, business, engineering, and the arts. Examples include:
- English, History, and Philosophy
- Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science
- Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science
- Economics, Finance, and Marketing
- Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Art, Music, Theater, and Design
Some colleges offer interdisciplinary majors, which combine multiple fields (such as Cognitive Science or International Relations), or allow students to create custom majors tailored to their interests.