Choosing a Major

 

How do I choose a major connected to my interests?

  • Read the summaries of majors in the Principia catalog, section 2 – Academic Programs to see where there might be a fit. 

  • For those that interest you…check out the course descriptions in section 3: Courses of Instruction. 

  • Know which major helps develop and strengthen the skills that connect your educational choices with types of work you may enter.

 

What can i do with a major in ... 

ART 

Art Directors

Fashion Designers

Graphic Designers

Industrial Designers

Interior Designers

Multimedia Artists and Animators

Set and Exhibit Designers

Designer, Painter, Sculpter, Copywriter, Interior Decorator, Photojournalist,

        Computer Animator, ...and more!

        Designer, Painter, SculpterBIOLOGY AND Natural resources 

Agricultural Workers

Biological Technicians

Conservation Scientists and Foresters

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

Microbiologists

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 

Business Administration

Accountants and Auditors

Administrative Services Managers

Budget Analysts

Database Administrators

Financial Analysts

Human Resources Managers

Market Research Analysts

     Chemistry

Chemical Technicians

Chemists and Materials Scientists

Argronomist,Biochemist,Nuclear Scientist,Patent Examiner,...and more!

Computer Science

Computer Programmers

Computer System Analyst

Database Administrators

Information Security Analysts, Web Developers, and Computer Network Architects

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Software Developers

Dual Languages

Flight Attendants

Interpreters and Translators

News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

Teachers—Postsecondary

Diplomat, Actor, Customs Inspector, FBI/CIA Agent, Journalist, Foreign News
Correspondent, Hotel Manager, Peace Corps,...and more!

Economics

Actuaries

Budget Analysts

Economists

Financial Analysts

Market Research Analysts

Operations Research Analysts

Education

Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals

High School Teachers   

Middle School Teachers

Special Education Teachers

Engineering Science 

Aerospace Engineers

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Chemical Engineers

Civil Engineers

Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Environmental Engineers

Industrial Engineers

Acoustical Engineer, Communications, Field Services,

 Mechanical,,...and more!

English

Adult Literacy and GED Teachers

High School Teachers

Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Technical Writers

Writers and Authors

French

Instructional Coordinators

Interpreters and Translators

Teacher Assistants 

Global Perspectives  

Actuaries

Management Analysts

Political Scientists

Urban and Regional Planners 

history 

Archivists

Curators, Museum Technicians, and Conservators

Historians

Lawyers 

Languages

Flight Attendants

Interpreters and Translators

High School Teachers

Speech-Language Pathologists

Diplomat, Actor, Customs Inspector, FBI/CIA Agent, Journalist, Foreign News 

Correspondent, Hotel Manager, Peace Core,...and more!

Mass Communication

Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians and Radio Operators

Photographers

Public Relations Managers and Specialists

Technical Writers

Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors

Mathematics

Actuaries

Mathematicians

Statisticians

Cartographer, Surveyor, Appraiser, Financial Planner, Systems 
Analyst, ...and more!

Music

Musicians and Singers

Self-enrichment Teachers

Teachers—Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary

Teachers—Postsecondary

Philosophy

Counselors

Teachers- High School

Lawyers

Teachers- Postsecondary

Social and Community Service Managers

Physics

Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians

Atmospheric Scientists, Including Meteorologists

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Chemists and Materials Scientists

Environmental Engineer, Civil Engineer, Nuclear Technician, Seismologist,
...and more!

Political Science

Lawyers

News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

Operations Research Analysts

Sociologists and Political Scientists

Religion

Christian Science Practitioner

Religious Professor- Postsecondary

Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts

Self-enrichment Teachers

Chaplain, Director of Religious Education, Church Camp Director, ...and more!

Sociology and Anthropology

Anthropologists and Archeologists

Curators, Museum Technicians, and Conservators

Market and Survey Researchers

Police and Detectives

Postsecondary Teachers

Recreation Workers

Social and Human Service Assistants

Sociologists

Social Workers

Survey Researchers

Spanish

Flight Attendants

Interpreters and Translators

News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

Teachers—Postsecondary

Theatre and Dance

Actors, Producers, and Directors

Dancers and Choreographers

Musicians, Singers, and related workers

Producers and Directors

Self-enrichment Teachers

Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators and Editors

 

     

When do I declare a major?

As a first-year student you may declare a major any time after your first term begins.

As a second-year student, if you have not already declared a major, you will be sent a “Change of Major/Minor/Advisor/ Degree” form.  At this time you can declare a major and a new advisor of your choice within the department, or instead you might choose to declare an exploratory focus ("undeclared") and be advised by an Academic and Career Advising staff member.  If you wish to retain your original new student advisor while remaining “undeclared” this can usually be arranged.

By the end of your second year, you are expected to declare a major.  Declaring a minor is optional.  The catalog for the academic year in which you declare your major contains the requirements related to your major.  If you take courses toward a major but wait to declare your major, you may find the courses you have taken will no longer meet the current requirements.

For more information see the Principia Catalog, section 2: Academic Programs

 

How do I find an advisor in my proposed major department?

  • Take introductory courses in the major from a variety of faculty members. 

  • Introduce yourself, if you haven’t had the opportunity to get to know all of the members of a department yet. 

  • Make an appointment to talk further with faculty about your interests and ask them about their areas of expertise…you might want to ask about potential related internships, Abroads, or other experiential opportunities.

  • Students with more than one major will have an advisor for each major. 

 

How to declare, change, or drop a major and/or a minor?

You can pick up the “Change of Major/Minor/Advisor/Degree” form at the Registrar's office or at ACA.  You must have your current academic advisor sign it, as well as the new advisor in your major area of study.  Turn in completed form to the Registrar’s office.

You can declare a minor any time (some minors require an advisor).  If an advisor is required, you must take the responsibility for finding one (check the Principia College Catalog for more information).

 

Declaring more than one major?

You may declare more than one major.  However, this means you will have an academic advisor in each major area and will need to be advised by both advisors.  You are also responsible to meet all writing requirements for both majors (ask your advisors in each major and the Writing Center for details).

 

What about a special major?

Yes, if you'd like the Principia experience while completing a one-of-a-kind major tailored to your interests, it requires more independent initiative.  It may be worth that extra effort!  A special major:

  • Has at least 50% of its courses taught on the Principia campus.
  • Allows speciality courses to be applied to your major from other colleges or universities.
  • Is designed in conjunction with the ACA special major coordinator and a faculty sponsor.
  • Must be approved by a Special Major Advisory Committee

Examples of recent special majors include aviation education and management, family studies, and range management.

 

Questions?  Ask ACA

Each student must declare and complete a major in order to graduate. When you declare a major you meet the requirements for that major under that year’s catalog. This is important because if a department makes changes in the major requirements, you will then have the option of choosing the old or new requirements. If you take courses toward a major and wait to declare, you may find the courses you have taken will no longer meet the current requirements.