Connect AP to Majors and Careers

Advertising majors learn how to create and spread messages used to promote and sell products and services.

Do Internet pop-up ads really sell products, or do they just annoy people? Why do some TV commercials pull us in while others turn us off? What are the psychological effects of various colors?

These are just a few of the questions you’ll explore as an advertising major. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing clever ad copy, planning a media campaign, or selling advertising space, this may be the major for you.

Students in African American studies look at the history, politics, culture, and economics of North American people of African descent.

From the slave economy to the civil rights movement, and from the blues to hip-hop, African Americans have had a huge role in shaping American society and culture. If you major in African American studies, you'll learn about their achievements.

You'll also examine the hardships African Americans faced during their history. Further, you'll dive into the difficult issues, such as unequal educational opportunities, they deal with today.

Scholars in African American studies play a key role in the development of modern academics. By focusing on people and viewpoints that have been ignored in other fields, they lead they way in integrating minority experiences into all academic subjects.

American studies majors look closely at the United States and its people from a variety of angles.

As a young and incredibly diverse nation, the United States is considered by many to be a work in progress. American studies majors explore the colorful canvas of the United States, often asking what it means to be American.

If you choose this major, you’ll study everything from the novels, music, and film of the United States to its politics, economy, and history. You’ll even investigate primary sources such as the letters of a Civil War soldier or the oral histories of the 1965 Watts riots in Los Angeles.

Anthropology is the study of humans and other primates (such as chimps). As an anthropology major, you'll study how groups live with each other and how their bodies and cultures have changed over time.

How are people alike? How are they different? How have these differences come to be? As an anthropology major, you’ll explore all kinds of mysteries about people and primates.

You might, for example, look at how one group of people communicates without the help of modern technology -- or you might study the effects of cell phones on another society. You might study how ancient societies protected their people against disease -- or how public-health policy affects modern city dwellers. As an undergrad, you might specialize, focusing on culture, biology, archaeology, or language.

Area studies majors study the histories, politics, economics, and cultures of various areas of the world. They usually focus on a specific area, but sometimes compare two or more areas.

If the magical realist novels of Latin America capture your imagination, you might major in comparative literature or Spanish. Or if it’s the history of colonialism in African countries that fires your brain, you might major in history. But if you want to know Latin America or Africa inside out, then major in area studies. You’ll not only study everything from an area’s history to its present-day economy and art, you’ll also bring greater understanding to specific topics, from magical realism to colonialism.

While only a few schools have departments called area studies, many more have programs dedicated to specific regions. Some schools offer programs in comparative area studies. At others, you’ll have to design your own area studies major.

Students of art history, criticism, and conservation learn about the history of art, the interpretation of works of art, and the care and conservation (protection) of artworks.

It doesn't matter whether you're standing in front of a prehistoric cave painting or inside a present-day art installation that uses interactive video and sound. As a student of art history, you'll look at how the artist has used color, line, form, space, light, and shadow to communicate an idea or emotion. Your classes will cover such topics as the theory of art, the study of specific periods and styles of art, research methods, and conservation techniques. 

Archaeology, anthropology, literary criticism, philosophy, and history will all play a role in your studies. You'll learn to use the tools of these fields to see art alongside the history and culture of the artist.

Students in broadcast journalism learn to report, produce, and deliver the news for radio, TV, and other broadcast media.

With a degree in broadcast journalism, you’ll be ready to bring all kinds of news to the public. You could find yourself on the local news pressing mayoral candidates to find out what they really think or chatting up celebrities on a music-video channel. You might become a sports announcer on a local radio station or deliver the news as a talking head on TV.

But this major is also for people who’d rather be behind the camera. You’ll learn how to operate microphones, recording equipment, and other devices, and could go on to edit, produce, or direct the news. 

This program prepares students to plan, organize, direct, and control an organization's activities.

With the creation of large factories in the late 1800s came the need to manage large groups of workers. In his 1911 book The Principles of Scientific Management, Frederick Winslow Taylor addressed that need. He suggested that each worker be trained to do a single task with no wasted effort. His philosophy made such a big impact on the business world that it was nicknamed Taylorism and is still studied today.

Of course, there’s a lot of disagreement about Taylorism: some people argue that it's inhumane, while others celebrate the increased productivity it has led to. As a student in business management, you’ll add your voice to this debate and others like it.

Business majors study the buying, selling, and producing of goods, as well as business organization and accounting. They learn how to use the basic principles and techniques of business in a variety of workplaces.

Handheld computers and cell phones make business dealings easier and faster. But there's a downside. Because these devices are easily lost, there's a risk that private information will fall into the wrong hands. Executives using cell phones in airports or other public places may forget to avoid discussing confidential topics. To make matters worse, competitors could also use technology to listen in.

How can we ensure that the cons of new technology don’t outweigh the pros? If you major in business, you’ll learn a wide range of business skills and study the issues affecting today's business climate.

Students of child care management prepare to manage child care services.

Most parents and other guardians can’t be there for kids 24/7. They rely on some form of child care, counting on it to be nurturing and safe.

If you major in child care management, you’ll learn how to run day care centers, preschools, and other child care services that bring out the best in kids. Your classes will cover a wide range of topics, including child psychology, theories of education, children’s health issues, and business management.

Students of city, community, and regional planning learn to create livable and environmentally healthy communities.

You may have heard of the term urban sprawl. Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled growth of cities and suburbs. The typical results: traffic congestion, a lack of green or open spaces, poorly designed or nonexistent public transportation, and unhappy residents. City, community, and regional planners address urban sprawl and other problems that communities face, such as pollution. 

Planning majors learn about the principles of architectural design and how to use them to create communities in which people are proud to work and live. They explore such topics as affordable housing, public transportation, land use and zoning, economics, and environmentally friendly buildings.

Communication and rhetoric majors study and practice the exchange of messages in all their variety.

Do you love nothing more than a good debate? Have you made a sport of picking apart everything from presidential speeches to class lectures? If you’ve answered yes, you may want to consider majoring in communication and rhetoric.

You’ll learn much more than how to be a powerful, persuasive speaker. You’ll study the complex ways in which we communicate with each other, through the media and face-to-face, with words and without, at work and at play.

This major prepares students to organize communities for social action. Students learn how to serve as links between community groups and public agencies, and how to give information, instruction, and help to community members.

The history of community organizing as we know it today began in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. That's when college-educated young people set up settlement houses in midwestern and East Coast cities.

Settlement houses provided services, such as child care and English language classes, to the great numbers of people who needed them urgently. They were mostly immigrants working in low-wage jobs such as meat packing and garment making. Some settlement-house organizations also advocated for workers, urging government to take action and improve housing or create child labor laws, for example.

Computer science majors learn about computer systems and the way humans and computers interact from a scientific perspective. Instruction includes programming and the theory and design of software.

In countless old Star Trek episodes, a baffled captain asked the computer for help, and the computer promptly replied with an answer. What was once science fiction is becoming reality, thanks to computer scientists working in voice recognition.

If you study computer science, you may learn how to design computer programs that allow humans and computers to speak to one another. Keep in mind, your work is more likely to help a vision-impaired person than a captain navigating the universe, but you never know.

Students in criminal justice explore every aspect of crime, the law, and the justice system.

How is the threat of terrorism affecting city life? Should drug abusers be rehabilitated in prison or drug treatment programs? What punishments are “cruel and unusual”? These are just a few of the questions you’ll confront as a student in criminal justice. You’ll also study the law backward and forward, learn how the judicial system works, and learn the ins and outs of police departments and other law enforcement agencies.

Criminal justice is an interdisciplinary major, so get ready to study everything: law, psychology, sociology, public administration, and more.

Students of criminology study the nature and causes of crime, the behavior of criminals, and the criminal-justice system.

Our obsession with crime and punishment is reflected in fact and fiction television programs about on-the-lam killers, petty criminals, and white-collar crime. Today, as much as ever, we are fascinated by questions about crime: Why do people commit crimes? Is there such a thing as a born killer? Is a completely crime-free society possible? 

Criminology is the search for answers to questions like these. Our understanding of who commits crimes and why has a direct influence on the criminal-justice system. As a criminology student, you may come up with new theories that lead to better responses to crime and its causes.

Students in early childhood education learn how to teach children who may range from infants to third graders, according to the school system.

Are you the babysitter whom kids call fun and parents call responsible? Are you the person to whom children sidle up at the park or potluck, sensing they've found a friend? Are you the kid who used to take on the role of teacher when you played school with your friends?

If you answered yes, you share a lot in common with people who work with children as a profession. You might consider majoring in early childhood education. You’ll learn how to create and manage a nurturing, safe classroom where every child thrives.

Economics majors learn about economic theory, economic systems such as capitalism, and mathematical methods. They use their knowledge to analyze how limited resources are made, traded, and used.

As the old song says, money makes the world go 'round. However, without the proper knowledge, it’s difficult to figure out exactly how.

Economics majors learn to decode the systems behind what can often appear impossible to understand. They study economic models and theories to analyze how the seemingly simple acts of buying and selling can be complicated by factors such as taxes, interest rates, inflation, labor disagreements, and even the weather.

Education majors study how people learn and how to best teach them. Classes cover such topics as educational psychology, school health and safety issues, and the planning of classroom activities.

Do you find yourself reading stories to younger kids or organizing games for your cousins at the family picnic? Do you feel proud when you've explained a difficult math problem to a friend and his face lights up with understanding?

If you major in education, you’ll develop your talents into the skills every teacher needs. You’ll find out how to set up and manage a classroom, design and teach inspiring lessons, and help students succeed no matter what their age, background, or learning style.

This major focuses on the teaching of elementary grades, which can range from kindergarten through eighth grade, depending on the school system.

Science fiction author Ray Bradbury has penned more than fifty books, including the ever-popular Fahrenheit 451. You'd think a famous futurist would spend all his time dreaming up new electronic devices or planning trips to the moon. Not Bradbury. One of his favorite topics is the importance of, in his words, "teaching kids to read and write and think." For Bradbury, giving children a solid education prepares our whole society to better meet the future.

Maybe you share Bradbury's vision -- or maybe you just like kids. Either way, you might enjoy working as an elementary school teacher. Courses in this major will prepare you to teach all elementary subjects, from reading to 'rithmetic.

English majors read, discuss, and write about the literature and culture of English-speaking people. They also learn about the history, structure, and use of the English language.

If you love to curl up with a good book, then majoring in English might be for you. But there's a lot more to studying English than just reading novels, short stories, plays, and poetry by English-speaking writers. You'll have to examine what you read and come up with opinions about it. For example, you might have to explain a book's main theme or show what it reveals about cultural stereotypes. You'll then have to share your views in class discussions and in papers.

One of the great things about majoring in English is that you can bring your personal interests into your studies. For instance, you can focus on the literature of a certain time period, location, or author.

Entrepreneurship majors learn how to build, promote, and manage their own businesses. They also learn how to apply their creativity and energy to make existing businesses more productive.

Have you ever said to yourself, “You know, I can think of a better way to do that” -- and then actually done something about it? If so, you already have the basic ingredients for success as an entrepreneur.

These businesspeople do whatever it takes to bring the world the latest products and services -- whether it's the next best computer software or ballpoint pen. Becoming an entrepreneur is one way to improve people’s lives.

Students of environmental studies use what they learn in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities to understand environmental problems. They look at how we interact with the natural world and come up with ideas for how we can prevent its destruction.

We use cars to get to work, run errands, and visit friends. Most of these cars run on gas, but the oil we use to make gas is running out. What’s more, drilling for oil destroys natural areas, and burning gas creates pollution. Other ways to power cars, such as electricity, ethanol, and biodiesel, already exist. So why isn't everyone using these energy sources?

To answer this and other important environmental questions, you’ll need to draw on the ideas of many fields, such as science, economics, and politics. If you major in environmental studies, you’ll learn how.

Ethnic studies majors examine race and ethnicity, focusing on a comparative and interdisciplinary study of the history and culture of minorities in the United States.

What do we mean when we say race? What about ethnicity? How has the immigrant experience changed in the last hundred years? How does a history that includes the enslavement, displacement, and exclusion of people of color shape the United States today? And how can we begin to overcome this legacy? These are some of the many questions you'll explore as an ethnic studies major.

You'll study ethnic groups from every angle to arrive at a greater understanding of our diverse world. To do so, you'll take classes in disciplines that range from history, political science, economics, and sociology to literature, music, and art history.

Students of family and consumer sciences learn about issues that affect individuals, families, and communities -- especially issues that relate to the basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, and relationships.

This major used to be known as, and is sometimes still called, home economics. And when you think home economics, you might think homemade brownies and needlepoint throw pillows.

But if you study family and consumer sciences at the college level, you’ll find there’s a lot more to “home ec” than that. Students in this major learn about child development, family relations, consumer economics, personal finance, fashion design, housing, and nutrition. 

Finance majors learn how to make financial decisions for organizations. Course work covers such topics as planning, raising funds, making wise investments, and controlling costs.

The field of finance is largely about helping businesses and other organizations make money. But there's more to that task than meets the eye. As a finance major, you'll learn how to plan for the long term. It’s not enough for a company to be ahead of the pack today -- it has to be successful five, ten, even twenty years down the line.

Managing finances with the future in mind means answering tough questions like these: Can we afford to give employees a raise? Can we spend less on raw materials this year? Is it better to rent or buy office space?

Global studies majors compare regions across the globe to shed light on world issues. They study many different fields, including political science, economics, and cultural studies.

Global studies majors are “global thinkers” in every sense. Drawing from fields as different as geography, music, political science, and ecology, they look at the connections between nations and peoples and the trends that shape our lives.

And global studies majors don’t just think on a large scale. They may study how something like climate change can affect hundreds of nations, but they also consider its effects on their own backyard.

This major prepares students to teach high school (also called secondary school). High school usually includes grades nine through twelve.

Think about the best teacher you've ever had. What stands out? A great sense of humor? The ability to guide you through a tough math lesson or stay calm in the midst of chaos? An attitude of concern for each and every student? Many high school educators went into teaching because of a teacher they loved. Do you have such a teacher, one who inspires you to walk in his or her footsteps?

If you choose this major, your studies will cover everything from classroom management to teaching methods to specific subjects, such as history. You’ll also learn how to meet the needs of students who learn in different ways.

History majors learn how to interpret objects and written documents from the past. They also read the works of published historians and evaluate their ideas.

You’ve probably heard older people talk about the “good old days.” But were they really all that good? Were people and ideas all that different? How did the good old days become today?

To answer questions like these, you’ll need to look for clues -- and not only in textbooks filled with dates and biographies. As a history major, you’ll find history in everything from a 1956 Elvis Presley poster to a 1934 ticket stub showing the price of a movie. You’ll even find it in last summer’s playlist of your favorite songs.

By the time you graduate, you’ll know how to decide for yourself what to think about the old days -- good or bad. And, perhaps more importantly, you’ll learn what those days can teach us about today and tomorrow.

HDFS majors explore the ways in which people develop -- physically, emotionally, and intellectually -- within the framework of family and society. Subjects of study include human growth and development, strategies for promoting growth, and family systems.

Throughout our lives, we go through many major changes. Born helpless, we are transformed through the years -- from infant to child to adolescent to adult. And through it all, we are shaped by our families, our communities, and our society.

Students of human development and family studies (HDFS) look at how people grow and how they form relationships throughout their lives. They explore the dynamics between people within their families as well as those between families and the greater world.

Human resources majors learn how to handle employment issues such as staffing, training, pay, and health and safety in the workplace.

Back in the late 1800s the idea at the cutting edge of business was that people work like machines. If you gave them the right tools and told them exactly how to do their job, they would work better. Since then, human resources has come a long way. People are recognized as psychologically complicated individuals at the heart of every organization. If you major in human resources management, you’ll study people and the workplace  -- and you’ll learn what it takes to meet the needs of people in the workplace.

Human services majors learn how to help people meet basic physical and emotional needs. They go on to assist professionals such as social workers or to become professionals themselves.

Careers and academic programs in human services have their roots in 1950s America. One reason is the movement to deinstitutionalize people with mental illness. In other words, they were brought out into the community instead of shut away in mental hospitals.

As more people with mental illness entered society, there grew a need for workers who could attend to their needs. In 1956, the National Institute of Mental Health responded to the situation. It funded the first associate's degree program in human services at Purdue University in Indiana.

IT majors focus on how information and computing systems support business, research, and communications needs. Instruction ranges from the basics of computer hardware to the complex relationship between humans and computers.

Do your friends and family come to you with computer questions? Do you get a sense of satisfaction when you’ve solved their problems? If so, imagine working some day as the go-to “tech person” at a small company or a large institution where the flow of information is critical to its mission.

As an information technology (IT) major, you'll study computer science, business, and communications. Along the way, you might focus on one specialty such as web development or digital communications. But regardless of your focus, you’ll acquire strong technical and communication skills.

This program prepares students to provide insurance and risk management services to people, businesses, and other organizations.

Let's say a car company employee hurts her hand on the assembly line. Insurance helps pay for the costs of her lost wages, hospital bills, and so forth. But insurance companies and other businesses want to keep costs down by preventing such accidents in the first place.

This prevention is called risk management -- it’s another way that insurance companies protect against loss and harm. If you major in insurance, you'll learn about helping companies create safe working conditions as well as other aspects of risk management. Classes cover everything from health insurance to pension planning.

International business majors learn how to think globally about the business world. They also learn how to manage multinational businesses and turn local and national companies into international success stories.

Do you want to travel and explore other countries? Are you fascinated by foreign cultures? Maybe you’ve got an idea for a T-shirt that would sell great in China. Or maybe you know of a Swedish recipe that restaurant diners in your hometown would gobble up.

Thinking globally -- and understanding how to bring different cultures together -- is the first step in understanding international business.

Majors in international relations study international politics and institutions, learning the principles of diplomacy and foreign policy.

How has the war in Iraq affected relations between the U.S. and the world? Have our actions struck fear in the hearts of our enemies? Have they cost us valuable allies?

International relations majors explore issues like these. In their quest to understand the delicate and complex dance of diplomacy, they study the way nations interact on military, economic, and cultural levels.

Journalism majors learn to report, write, and edit articles for publication or broadcast.

Are you someone who can’t get enough of the latest headlines? Do you love the thrill of the chase? If so, you may want to consider majoring in journalism. With this degree, you could find yourself covering world events for a major newspaper or TV network, reporting on sports for a local radio station, or writing about entertainment on the Internet.

As a journalism major, you’ll not only master the art of reporting and writing, but you'll also learn about libel and other legal issues that affect the media. And you'll learn what it takes to survive in a tough, but often rewarding, business.

Students of labor and industrial relations explore the history, contributions, and problems of working people as well as their relations with employers. Instruction also covers management theory and practice.

It’s no secret that a downturn in the economy affects employees all over the country. But what legal rights do employees have during a recession? Are they still entitled to health care benefits and unemployment insurance? What about worker’s compensation?

Students of labor and industrial relations study employment issues like these so that they’ll be ready to manage personnel issues for a business, union, or other organization. Their studies are interdisciplinary, including courses in everything from psychology to economics.

MIS majors study information systems and their use in business and other organizations. They learn about computer databases, networks, computer security, and more.

Everyone who works in business, from someone who pays the bills to the person who hires and fires, uses information systems. For example, a supermarket could use a computer database to keep track of which products sell best. And a music store could use a database to sell CDs over the Internet. If you major in management information systems (MIS), you’ll learn how to put technology to work.

Marketing majors learn how to create and sell new products and services in ways that will build a large and loyal group of customers.

When Barbie first came onto the scene in 1958, she was unique. Unlike the other dolls on store shelves, Barbie was no child. And playing with her, young girls for generations have acted out visions of their future. Barbie is more than just a plastic doll; she's a fantasy.

As Barbie shows, when people make a purchase, they buy more than a product or service. They also buy something that's harder to put your finger on. Marketing majors learn how to discover the special something that people want and how to convince them that their product has it.

Mass communications majors undertake a thorough investigation of mass media, from its institutions, history, and laws to the ways in which it transforms our culture.

Which do you trust more -- the news you see on the tube or the news you read on the Internet? How have TV, newspapers, and other forms of mass media shaped your life? What influence do advertisers have on the choice of music played on the radio? 

As a mass communications major, you’ll examine questions like these. You’ll analyze different forms of media, study the impact media has on our culture, and learn about media history and laws. You may also have a chance to test the waters by creating media projects of your own.

Students in this major learn to teach middle school (also known as intermediate school or junior high). Middle school can range from grade four through grade nine, depending on the school system.

The middle school years are a thrilling stage in the life cycle. People at this age can master all kinds of physical and mental challenges, doing amazing skateboard tricks, writing inspired essays, and acing math quizzes. Yet, in many ways, they're just beginning to live -- so many experiences lie ahead of them.

Middle school teachers choose to be a part of this exciting turning point. Where some adults see "attitude," gifted teachers see energy and curiosity. They want to help students shape all that potential in ways that will make a positive difference in the world. 

This program prepares students to supervise and manage people and operations in business offices. Classes cover such topics as employee supervision, records management, budgeting, scheduling, and public relations.

In Bartleby the Scrivener, Herman Melville's strange, riveting tale, a solemn young Bartleby one day refuses to do his work. His reason? "I would prefer not to." Although Bartleby stops working, he keeps showing up, to the distress of the other employees.

Scholars find a wide range of meanings in Melville’s story. But whatever their interpretation, one thing’s certain: Bartleby creates a difficult workplace situation. If you major in office management, you’ll learn to handle such challenges professionally.

Operations management majors learn how to manage the development, production, and manufacturing of products and services. Topics of study include factory management, labor relations, and quality control.

Hamburgers didn’t become one of the world’s most popular foods just because they taste good -- although that didn’t hurt. Fast food got a big boost in 1954, when Ray Kroc franchised the McDonald brothers’ restaurants. He came up with the idea of using assembly lines to turn out cheap, identical burgers.

Operations management majors learn from success stories like Kroc’s. Their goal? To become experts on getting the best products and services to consumers as quickly and cheaply as possible.

This major prepares students to work under the supervision of a lawyer or court, completing research, conducting investigations, and keeping records. Courses cover legal research and writing.

Much of what paralegals do (researching legal questions and writing legal documents, for example) is the same work that attorneys do. So why not become an attorney instead -- especially since attorneys make more money? 

Some people choose the paralegal route because they don't want to go through three years of law school in addition to receiving a bachelor's degree. Others want a meaningful way of participating in the legal process without the demanding schedules that attorneys face.

Of course, there's no reason you can't do both. Some people start out by getting paralegal training and working as a paralegal for a time, and then go to law school.

Philosophy majors examine basic questions about such topics as the nature of existence and knowledge. They also study the history of philosophy, learn how to use logic and argue their ideas, and use philosophy to better understand other fields.

Philosophy dates back to ancient times when Confucius and Plato walked the earth. Yet it is very much alive today in such questions as whether or not computers think. Philosophers question issues that others either take for granted or find too difficult to ponder. If you choose this major, you'll find yourself asking everything from why we should be good to how we know what we know. You'll even question your own questions.

Some philosophy undergrads become philosophers. But most by far build careers in other areas, such as law. And thanks to all that pondering, all develop great skills in logic, problem solving, and creative thinking that pay off in any field.

Political science and government majors study the systems people set up to organize their societies, from neighborhoods to nations.

Politics affects the air we breathe, the schools we attend, the jobs we do, the communities we live in, and the taxes we pay. If you choose this major, you’ll learn the principles at work behind the decisions that affect every aspect of our lives.

Whether they're conservative or liberal, cynical or idealistic, one common characteristic among political science and government majors is their addiction to politics. If active engagement in the political system is for you, a political science major is a great way to get started. 

Almost never offered as a major, a prelaw advising program will help you stay on track as you prepare for law school.

In the movie The Paper Chase, law professor Kingsfield strikes terror into students' hearts. Like many law professors who use the Socratic method, named after the philosopher, Kingsfield asks questions rather than lecturing. And when students answer his questions poorly, he's not above insulting them. But over time viewers realize that Kingsfield's goal is to sharpen his students' ability to reason.

That’s a skill they'll need to succeed as lawyers -- and a skill that law schools look for in applicants. In fact it’s not any specific major that will get you into a top school; it’s sharp thinking, reading, and communication skills that make the difference.

Students in this major focus on the theory, methods, and skills needed to write and edit scientific, technical, and business materials.

From computers to cell phones to stereos, technology is ingrained in our lives. That's why technical writers are so important. They create a range of materials, from instruction manuals and training guides to business reports.

If you choose this major, you’ll learn how to translate difficult material into text that's easy for everyone to understand. You’ll learn how important it is to consider the needs of specific audiences and how to use images to get your message across. If you're into both writing and technology and like working with different types of people, from editors to engineers, this could be the major for you.

Psychology majors study the way humans and animals act, feel, think, and learn.

If psychology interests you, you have something in common with the ancient Greek philosophers. They asked questions about the life of the mind: What is the relationship between mind and body? How can we tell if the world is really the way we think it is?

Today's psychologists study all sorts of fascinating questions, such as the following: Why is learning a language as an infant easier than as a teenager? What are the roots of violence? What is the best way to help someone with an eating disorder like anorexia?

Majors in public administration study how administrators enact policy at the local, state, and federal levels.

Whether developing education programs for inner-city youth or working with residents to create a crime-fighting neighborhood watch, public administrators breathe life into public policies.

If you major in public administration, you’ll learn how they do it. You’ll build the skills it takes to bring together diverse groups -- from neighborhood associations to private businesses -- and change communities for the better.

Students of public health prepare for careers evaluating and managing programs that address widespread health threats.

As medicine continues to advance, so do disease and poverty. In recent years we’ve seen the devastating effects worldwide of infectious diseases like AIDS and tuberculosis. 

If you study public health, you’ll learn how government actions; access (and lack of access) to health care; communication and education; and funding all factor into the spread, treatment, and prevention of disease. Your course work will cover epidemiology (the science concerned with the spread and control of disease), preventive medicine, health economics, and health ethics.

Students of public policy analysis learn various methods for studying proposed solutions to public problems.

Should people be allowed to smoke in bars? This is just one public policy debate taking place across the globe. Legislators and other public officials must decide whether the health benefits of a smoking ban outweigh the money that bars -- and even whole cities -- could lose if smokers take their business elsewhere.

Public policy refers to all of the laws, regulations, and other programs developed by governments to solve problems. And if you major in public policy analysis, you’ll make problem solving your specialty. Along the way, you’ll grapple with some of society’s most urgent issues, such as crime, health care, and the quality of the air we breathe. 

Public relations majors learn how to create and promote the images of individuals as well as businesses and other organizations.

Images don’t happen by themselves. Before celebrities step out on the red carpet at Academy Awards time, every detail -- clothes, accessories, makeup, and hair -- is carefully crafted. But image management isn’t reserved for Hollywood stars. It’s a tool used by every political figure, government agency, or business you can think of.

If you’d like to be the person pulling the strings behind the scenes, a major in public relations (PR) may be just the ticket. 

Social work majors learn to practice social work in various settings such as hospitals, child welfare agencies, and the criminal justice system.

Social worker Whitney M. Young, Jr. was a key civil rights activist of the 1960s. Yet most people have never heard of him. That's because while others were protesting in the streets, Young spent much of his time meeting with top businesspeople. Young was skilled at encouraging wealthy white Americans to give money to the movement.

As a social work major, you’ll learn that there are many ways to go about making the world a better place. Some social workers counsel people and help them get services such as subsidized housing and food stamps. Others, like Young, guide social movements, research social issues, or design and set up policy programs such as Social Security.

Sociology majors learn how to study people and the roles they play in society, both as individuals and in groups. Course work covers such topics as families, TV and other mass media, and criminology.

Picture your high school cafeteria for a moment. It’s not just one giant group of students hanging out together, is it? There are probably more than a few cliques.

Have you ever wondered how these cliques form? Or why some kids are more popular than others? Or why people act one way at home and a completely different way at school? If you want to explore questions like these, consider majoring in sociology. 

Urban studies majors use the tools of sociology, economics, and other social sciences to study city life, government, and services. If you choose this major you’ll learn how city dwellers live and behave. You’ll also study the problems they face.

Cities are loud, crowded, concrete jungles, right? But they’re also places full of energy, where great thinkers, artists, and leaders come together and give birth to new and exciting creative movements and ideas.

Urban studies majors learn what makes city culture unique and how urban areas respond to problems and events. You’ll ask yourself many questions as an urban studies major. For example: How do different neighborhoods develop their own identities? How do the buildings and the layout of a city affect its people? What happens when the need for growth clashes with the need to preserve history? How does living close together affect the way city dwellers interact?