Academic Programs and Majors (2024)

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Berkeley is renowned for the rigorous academic standards of its undergraduate programs. Our more than 130 academic departments and 80 interdisciplinary research units divided into six colleges and one school.

For more information on majors, minors, and other special programs go to our interactive Berkeley Academic Guide.

View information on the Direct Admit to Major Pilot program for transfer applicants or the policy on high-demand majors for first-year applicants.

  • College of Letters and Science

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    The College of Letters and Science sets undergraduate students on the intellectual adventure of their lives with a vibrant, broad-based liberal arts education. You participate in projects at the forefront of science, solve pressing social problems, create art, explore diverse cultures, and seek answers to the biggest questions of our times.

    Majors

    Arts and Humanities

    • Ancient Greek and Roman Studies
    • Art, History of
    • Art, Practice of
    • Celtic Studies
    • Comparative Literature
    • Dutch Studies
    • East Asian Languages and Cultures
      • Chinese
      • Japanese
    • East Asian Religion, Thought, and Culture
    • English
    • Film and Media
    • French
    • German
    • Greek
    • Greek and Latin
    • Italian Studies
    • Latin
    • Middle Eastern Languages and Culture
    • Music
    • Near Eastern Civilizations
    • Philosophy
    • Rhetoric
    • Scandinavian
      • Danish
      • Finnish
      • Norwegian
      • Old Norse
      • Swedish
    • Slavic
      • Armenian
      • Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian
      • Czech
      • Hungarian
      • Polish
      • Russian
    • South and Southeast Asian Studies
    • Spanish and Portuguese
      • Languages, Literature, and Cultures in the Spanish-Speaking World
      • Languages, Literature, and Cultures in the Portuguese-Speaking World
      • Latin American Languages, Literature, and Cultures
      • Hispanic, Languages, Literature, and Bilingualism
    • Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies
      • Dance and Performance Studies
      • Theater and Performance Studies
    • Undeclared - Arts and Humanities*

    Biological Sciences

    • Integrative Biology
    • Molecular and Cell Biology
      • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
      • Cell and Developmental Biology
      • Genetics, Genomics, and Development
      • Immunology and Pathogenesis
      • Neurobiology
    • Public Health
    • Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship Program
    • Undeclared - Biological Sciences*

    Interdisciplinary Studies

    • American Studies
    • Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Legal Studies
    • Media Studies
    • Undeclared - Interdisciplinary Studies*

    Mathematical and Physical Sciences

    • Astrophysics (including Astronomy)
    • Chemistry also offered in the College of Chemistry
    • Earth and Planetary Science
      • Atmospheric Science
      • Environmental Earth Science
      • Geology
      • Geophysics
      • Marine Science
      • Planetary Science
    • Mathematics
      • Applied Mathematics
      • Mathematics
        • Mathematics with Teaching Concentration
    • Operations Research and Management Sciences
    • Physics
    • Undeclared - Mathematical and Physical Sciences*

    Social Sciences

    • African American Studies
    • Anthropology
    • Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies
    • Chicano/Latino Studies
    • Cognitive Science
    • Economics
    • Educational Sciences
    • Ethnic Studies
    • Gender and Women's Studies
    • Geography
    • Global Studies
      • Asian Area Studies I - China
      • Asian Area Studies II - Japan
      • Developmental Studies
      • Latin American Studies
      • Middle Eastern Studies
      • Peace and Conflict Studies
    • History
    • Linguistics
    • Native American Studies
    • Political Economy
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Social Welfare
    • Sociology
    • Undeclared - Social Sciences*

    *Majors marked with an asterisk are only available to first-year applicants.

    Students can also consider a dual degree program by attending their first two years at France's leading university in the social sciences, Sciences Po, or at the University of Hong Kong for students interested in humanities or social sciences, before returning to Berkeley for their final two years. Students will receive two degrees from two renowned institutions.

  • College of Computing, Data Science, and Society

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    The College of Computing, Data Science and Society (CDSS) is Berkeley's newest college.

    Majors
    • Computer Science
    • Data Science
    • Statistics
  • College of Chemistry

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    The College of Chemistry offers fundamental knowledge of all fields of chemistry. There are lecture courses in the general areas of inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, plus many more specialized courses including analytical, nuclear, and biophysical chemistry and chemical biology.

    Majors
    • Chemical Biology
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Chemistry also offered in the College of Letters and Science
  • College of Engineering

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    Berkeley Engineering is a national leader in engineering education, with students and researchers from around the world drawn to our department by its outstanding reputation, internationally recognized faculty, and tradition of impact in research and teaching. The College includes departments of Bioengineering; Civil & Environmental Engineering; Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences; Industrial Engineering & Operations Research; Materials Science & Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; and Nuclear Engineering.

    The is a new program for students interested in a major from both the College of Engineering and the Haas School of Business.

    Majors
    • Aerospace Engineering
    • Bioengineering
    • Civil Engineering
    • Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences
    • Engineering Science Programs
      • Energy Engineering
      • Engineering Mathematics and Statistics
      • Engineering Physics
      • Environmental Engineering Science
    • Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
    • Materials Science and Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Nuclear Engineering
    • Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (M.E.T.)*
      • Aerospace Engineering & Business Administration
      • Bioengineering & Business Administration
      • Civil Engineering& Business Administration
      • Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences & Business Administration
      • Industrial Engineering and Operations Research& Business Administration
      • Materials Science and Engineering& Business Administration
      • Mechanical Engineering& Business Administration
      • Undeclared Engineering& Business Administration
    • Undeclared Engineering*

    *Majors marked with an asterisk are only available to first-year applicants.

  • College of Environmental Design

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    The College of Environmental Design undergraduate programs in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban studies combine general education with a broad introduction to the environmental design professions and emphasize the value that what we build must be ethically, socially, and ecologically appropriate. These programs equip students for work in these and related fields, or graduate study, or both.

    Majors
    • Architecture
    • Landscape Architecture
    • Sustainable Environmental Design
    • Urban Studies
  • Rausser College of Natural Resources

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    The Rausser College of Natural Resources addresses biological, social, and economic challenges associated with protecting natural resources and the environment. Rausser College's undergraduate academic programs teach students how to ensure economic and ecological sustainability for future generations.

    Majors
    • Conservation and Resource Studies
    • Ecosystem Management and Forestry
      • Forestry
      • Natural Resource Management
    • Environmental Economics and Policy
    • Environmental Sciences (biological, physical, social)
    • Genetics and Plant Biology
    • Microbial Biology
    • Molecular Environmental Biology
    • Nutritional Sciences
      • Physiology and Metabolism
    • Society and Environment
    • Undeclared*

    *Majors marked with an asterisk are only available to first-year applicants.

  • Haas School of Business

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    Students who earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the Haas School of Business Undergraduate Program possess the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand the modern business world, to achieve the highest levels of success in their professional careers, and to prepare for subsequent graduate work.

    Majors
    • Spieker Undergraduate Business Program
    Special Programs
    • Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship Program*
    • Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (M.E.T.)*
    • Global Management Program*

    *Majors marked with an asterisk are only available to first-year applicants.

Academic Programs and Majors (2024)

FAQs

Academic Programs and Majors? ›

Major: A major is a field of study within an approved degree program, having its own curriculum. A degree program may have more than one major. Area of Emphasis: An area of emphasis is a specific subject area within an approved degree program and major.

Are academic programs the same as majors? ›

Major: A major is a field of study within an approved degree program, having its own curriculum. A degree program may have more than one major. Area of Emphasis: An area of emphasis is a specific subject area within an approved degree program and major.

What are considered academic programs? ›

An academic program is a combination of courses and related activities organized for the achievement of specific learning outcomes as defined by the University.

What is your major or program of study? ›

A Major is that part of a Degree Program of Study which consists of a specified group of courses in a particular discipline(s) or field(s). The name of the Major is consistent with the Degree Subject Area on the institutions Course Reference (and Degree) Inventory (or CRIN).

What is the difference between a major and a graduate program? ›

Undergraduate studies often provide general knowledge and may also provide an overview of a future profession, depending on your major. Graduate studies are specializations in certain areas that could provide opportunities to strengthen your professional profile potentially.

What is the most common academic major? ›

Business is the most common major, with nearly one-fifth of all bachelor's degree recipients choosing this path. Business majors include several areas of study, such as business administration, management, and marketing.

What is the difference between program and degree? ›

Your program is the qualification you will attain when you have successfully completed your studies. A program may also be referred to as a Degree, a bachelor's degree, an undergraduate degree, or a postgraduate degree. An example of an undergraduate degree is the Bachelor of Business.

What is an example of an academic program? ›

Business, education and law are among the most common types of graduate academic programs.

What are the 4 types of academics? ›

The four main types of academic writing are descriptive, analytical, persuasive and critical. Each of these types of writing has specific language features and purposes. In many academic texts you will need to use more than one type.

What makes a good academic program? ›

Successful academic programs are accessible, user-friendly, and provide a positive learning experience for students and teaching experience for faculty and educators.

What does major program mean? ›

A major is a specific area of study in which a student chooses to specialize. Popular disciplines for college majors include business, health, engineering, and biology. College students often declare a major after completing prerequisite courses. The importance of your major depends on the industry you want to work in.

What is considered a program of study? ›

Program of study means an academic and career plan based on post-secondary goals and comprised of academic, career, and technical content that prepares students to make successful transitions to post- secondary education and the workplace.

What are your major examples? ›

A major is the field of study you choose to pursue when completing your general education requirements in college. Examples of common majors include business administration, computer science, and psychology.

Are degree programs and majors the same thing? ›

A degree program is not the same as a major. Your major refers to the academic field you will study, such as majoring in accounting, music, engineering, or mathematics. By comparison, your degree indicates the level of education that you have completed or are pursuing.

What are the four types of degrees? ›

The four types of college degrees are associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees. Colleges classify associate and bachelor's degrees as undergraduate degrees and master's and doctoral degrees as graduate degrees. Within those categories, you can earn many types of degrees.

What is an example of a major and degree? ›

The full degree title in a diploma shows what does major mean as well as the type of degree. For instance, one can earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (a field in the branch of applied science) with a Major in Civil Engineering (an area within the field of engineering).

Is your academic path in college referred to as your major? ›

A major in college or university is the specific field of study that you choose as your specialization. Every student who enrolls in college needs to choose a major. Your major determines which types of courses you'll take, in addition to your core requirements, which may vary depending on your college.

What is the difference between academic degree? ›

Professional degrees are required to enter certain professions. Academic degrees are not oriented to specialized professional careers or roles and can be used in different fields and career settings. Professional degrees usually take longer to complete than academic degrees.

Are courses the same as majors? ›

The term "course of study" is often used with the same meaning as "major" in the US.

What is the difference between academic department and program? ›

A department is an administrative organizational unit, a program is a curriculum of study. Many departments that have majors have multiple programs of study, and almost all programs of study have required courses taught by other departments outside the major.

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