Choosing a College Major

What is a college major?

A major is a concentration of courses – usually adding up to between 36 and 48 credits – in a particular content area like Psychology, Marketing, English or Engineering. For instance, on top of the 60 credits of general education requirements (basic courses on a broad range of subjects) and electives (courses of a student's choice or interest) that you might earn at a two-year college, you would be required to take about 40 credits of coursework in your major area of study, as well as some electives, to reach the total of approximately 120 credits required for a four-year degree.

How do you declare a major?

For a student who starts as a freshman at a four-year school and has already decided on a major, it's noted on the application. Those who are undecided when they begin their first year often will be required to go to the division office of the department they'll be majoring in and fill out a form stating their intended major once they reach a decision. Those transferring to a four-year school from a community college normally will be required to state their major on their four-year application.

Students who begin at a two-year school will not be required to immediately declare what major they intend to later pursue at a four-year university, but it's a good idea to let a counselor know what your intended major is, so they can help you choose the right courses to help you transfer.

When is the best time to choose a major?

This will vary from student to student, and major to major. Some students come to college knowing their major – although many will end up changing their minds. Others want more time to adjust to college, and might need a semester or two before they're ready to zero in on what they want to do.

Although you don't have to have a major chosen when you arrive at college, it certainly can help with some majors – like Engineering, Business, or the Pre-Medical degree tracks. These majors, and some others, require specific sequences of courses and prerequisites that usually are difficult to catch up to if the major was not decided early-on. Other majors, including Sociology, English and History, might not have a long list of prerequisite courses that need to be completed in a specific sequence. Usually, though, the sooner you figure out what you want to do, the better, so you can see what is required.

How do you choose a major?

There is no right way to choose a major, and what works for one student might not work for you. Part of the fun of being a new college student is having a wide selection of courses and electives to choose from; sometimes students will try out a potential major by choosing a class that sounds interesting. These choices can help you discover new interests and possible majors, or help narrow down the options.

Making an informed decision based on your interests, values, strengths, abilities and personality will usually help you find a fulfilling major. It's also important to consider the tasks and responsibilities of the career that would come out of a given major, what a typical day might look like on the job, the amount and type of education required for the career, and the salary and job outlook.

What educational options are available to a student who is in the process of choosing a major?

There are many options; among other things, students can start at a two-year school or a four-year school, or choose a career program. Many come to a community college to start working on their general education requirements and figure out what major they want to pursue. They often end up completing a basic transfer degree before moving on to a four-year school. For those who don't wish to earn a bachelor's degree, community colleges also offer career programs. Students can earn a certificate in areas like Heating and Air Conditioning, Graphic Design or Early Childhood Education, as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree that can lead to a career in fields like Nursing, Dental Hygiene or Paralegal Studies.

What resources are available to help a student choose a major?

Most colleges and universities have a Career Center. Career Centers work daily with students who haven't chosen a major; being undecided is not uncommon.
There are many services and resources available to help you work through this decision.

Many Career Centers offer workshops that provide a number of activities designed to help you learn what majors and careers might be good fits based on your interests, strengths and abilities, personality characteristics and values. You'll often have help exploring follow-up steps that might further develop your action plan, and individual career counseling is usually available as well. College Career Centers often have a variety of tools available to research majors in which you're interested and identify specific careers you want to know more about. Finally, the Career Center can help you locate internships, which will provide valuable experience and help you focus in on a single field of interest. Also, internships look great on a resume and help make you more marketable.

The best advice is to enjoy college. Participate in clubs, organizations and campus activities, and take advantage of the many services available to help you choose your major and the classes you'll need to work toward your goal.

Editorial provided by Kathy Hanahan, Associate Professor and Counselor in the Career Center at Harper College in Palatine.