A major is the primary field of study that a university or college student chooses to specialize in during their undergraduate education. It represents the main focus of their academic coursework and typically includes a set of required and elective courses related to that discipline. For example, majors can be in subjects like Biology, Business, Engineering, Psychology, or Mathematics. Most students take the majority of their courses-often around 40 or so for a degree-in their chosen major
. Choosing a major is a significant decision because it shapes the student's academic experience, influences their future career path, and affects their personal and professional development. Students usually declare their major by the end of their second year, though some schools require it earlier or allow flexibility
. In summary, a major is:
- The main academic discipline a student commits to in college or university
- Comprised of a required set of courses designed to provide in-depth knowledge in that field
- Often necessary for completing a bachelor's degree
- Sometimes accompanied by minors or specializations to complement the major
