If you’re not sure what major to choose, Undeclared & Exploring is the right place for you.
UMD is committed to helping you explore, discover, and choose a major field of study that fits your interests, strengths and life goals.
During this time of exploration, you will take classes that
- expose you to a variety of subjects
- fulfill general and major graduation requirements
- help you gather information about your strengths and interests
- guide you to find the course of study right for you
It is recommended that you declare your major by the fall semester of your sophomore year. This will support timely progress toward graduation.
First, consider what you already know about yourself and let that guide where you begin.
Do you...
love learning about humanities, cultural diversity, social justice, and sustainability? Are you excited about the business and ideas of politics and the complex challenges of global citizenship?
Students who want to learn about people, communication and cultures usually study things like philosophy, languages, environment and sustainability, criminology, political science, and journalism.
These areas of study typically lead to careers
- that help provide global and cultural perspectives
- in communication, news organizations & media
- that use language, diversity, and writing to further ideas
- that problem-solve using critical thinking
- leadership and support of government or business organizations
- that merge humanities and technology
- in areas of social justice and activism
Are you...
looking to make a difference in the lives of others? Do you want to be part of finding solutions for underserved populations? Are you curious about what makes people think and behave the way they do? Do you love the business and physical aspect of sports and movement? Can you be that teacher who makes a difference in a child’s life? Consider studying things like elementary and secondary education, exercise science, psychology, and environmental & outdoor education.
These areas of study typically lead to careers in
- social services
- K-12 and higher education
- mental health research, awareness, and treatment
- sports medicine and physical therapy
- environmental education and preservation
- allied health professions
- leadership and support in education, non-profits, business and healthcare organizations.
Have you...
always done well in math and science? Are you the best of your friends at solving puzzles and problems? Do you have a knack for technology? Do you want to learn how to apply those skills in the world? Then you will want to consider studying things like biology, chemical, mechanical, or civil engineering, computer science, math, and physics.
These areas of study typically lead to careers in
- medicine and the biological sciences
- research and development in applied materials
- chemical engineering
- civil engineering and the healthy development of communities and infrastructure
- computer science
- environmental and water research and preservation
- mathematics and statistics
- and physics and astronomy
...in government, healthcare or business organizations.
Are you...
a natural leader and planner? Do you love the process and thinking about how things get done? Do you see gaps as opportunities? Do you like the art of sales and promotion and how to account for them? Then you might consider studying subjects like accounting, economics, management, finance, marketing, and sales.
These areas of study typically lead to careers in
- management
- marketing and advertising
- finance and financial planning
- accounting
- management information systems
- economics
...in business organizations as well as government and non-profit organizations.
Do you...
love the creative process? Do you enjoy creative problem-solving? Are you interested in new ways to solve human problems through design? Is music your source of inspiration? Does the theater bring you joy? Then you may want to think about options where programs of study include studio art, graphic design, music, music education, and theater.
These areas of study typically lead to careers in
- traditional arts and performance settings
- the expression of ideas and information in public and private organizations
- graphic design, and multi-media disciplines
- music education
- customer and user experience applications.
Next, check out your exploration resources...