Liberal Education and Undergraduate Majors

While the most important thing a student needs to do to prepare for success is acquire a broad set of skills and capacities—including critical thinking and analytic reasoning, communication skills, and a strong sense of ethics and responsibility—most schools also require students to declare a major or area of concentration. Whatever major a student pursues, however, a strong and engaged liberal education will serve one well in navigating the volatile global economy and preparing for life's challenges.

Schools involved with AAC&U’s LEAP initiative have created a variety of resources to help students explore different majors and professional options.  

Most importantly, undergraduate students should talk to their advisors about their interests and about the core skills and areas of knowledge important to acquire no matter what major one chooses.

U.S. News and World Report
A Liberal Arts Degree Can Lead to Enhanced Career Skills

Huffington Post
College Should Be About Learning; 'Earning Power' Comes With Success in Any Major

Chronicle of Higher Education
Stop Asking Me My Major

Inside Higher Education
When to Specialize?

Western Oregon University
The Career Exploration Guide (pdf)

Baylor University
Meet the Majors Podcast series at Baylor University

The Chronicle of Higher Education
Economics Is the 'Just Right' Liberal-Arts Major

Filene Center for Work and Learning (Wheaton College)
"What Can I Do with a Major In...?

University of Maryland Career Center
Exploring Majors and Careers

University of California, Berkeley Career Center
Top 10 Career Myths

University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point
Career Exploration portal

University of North Carolina-Wilmington
The Career Center

American Historical Association
Careers for Students of History