Chances are, if you have a passion, you can get a degree in the subject. And, if typical majors aren’t your thing, there are plenty of
quirky majors to choose from.
The following list includes some weird-but-cool
college majors, along with an example of a college that offers. Each listing also details what students in the field study and the jobs that they pursue after graduation, as listed on each college's website.
(Please note that many of these aren’t the only schools which offer the academic subjects; just an example of one of the schools.)
Weird College Majors
Check out the following weird college majors list -- as well as
Monster's recent take on Quirky College Majors that Actually Exist – perhaps your future calling is below!
Adventure Education
Where you can get the degree: Plymouth State University
Example courses include Rock Climbing Fundamentals, Canoe Paddling Fundamentals, Wilderness Expedition, and Whitewater Kayaking. Adventure education majors can expect to work in outdoor education at a state or national park or with outdoor/adventure programs.
Astrobiology
Where you can get the degree: University of Washington or
Penn State
Example courses include Planetary Habitability and Astrobiology Field Experience. Astrobiology majors can find careers in astrobiology research or work as a scientist or educator.
Auctioneering*
Where you can get the degree: HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College
Example courses include Audience Communications, Auctioneering Law, Procurement and Appraisal of Merchandise, and Preparations for the Auction. After completion of the program, you would be approved to be an Auctioneer.
*This is a semester-long, accelerated degree program at HACC; however, classes are virtual. Once the degree is complete, students will be able to sit for the Pennsylvania State Auctioneers exam.
Bagpiping
Where you can get the degree: Carnegie Mellon University
Example courses in the bagpiping major include Studio, Theory, and History. Bagpiping majors will go on to become bagpipers or bagpiping instructors.
Bakery Science
Where you can get the degree: Kansas State University
Example courses include Introduction to Grain Science and Industry, Cereal Science, Flour and Dough Testing, and Baking Science. Baking science majors can chart careers within restaurants, catering, hotels, clubs, food manufacturers, testing laboratories, and large and small bakeries.
Citrus
Where you can get the degree: Florida Southern College
Example courses include Introduction to Citrus, Citrus Grove Management, Soil Science, Plants, and Society and Plant Nutrition. After graduation, citrus majors can work at large citrus production companies, grove service companies, agricultural cooperatives, juice processing plants, agrichemical and fertilizer companies, and at citrus research facilities.
Comedy: Writing and Performance
Where you can get the degree: Humber Polytechnic (Canada)
Example courses include Stand-Up Comedy, Improvisation, Sketch, Physical Comedy, Acting & Voice, and History of Comedy. Comedy writing and performance majors can find jobs as a Stand-Up Comedian, Scriptwriter, Performer, Producer, Broadcaster, Advertiser, Voiceovers Actor, and Sketch Comedy Actor.
Comic Art
Where you can get the degree: Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Example courses include History of Comic Art, Comic Media and Concepts, and Comic Book Publishing: Print as well as Web and Comic Storytelling. Comic art majors can find work at comic studios as a cartoonist, illustrator, or author, or in comic book art production.
Costume Technology
Where you can get the degree: DePaul University
Example courses include Drawing for Designers, Costume Construction, and Costume Design. Jobs for Costume Technology include Costume Designer and Wardrobe Assistant.
Diving Business and Technology
Where you can get the degree: The College of the Florida Keys
Example courses include Advanced Diving Theory and Practice, Intro to Marine Biology, Intro to Oceanography, Scuba Rescue and Emergency Medicine, Underwater Photography, and Basic Seamanship. Diving majors can find careers as Divemasters, Scuba Instructors, Commercial Divers, Research Divers, and Underwater Photojournalists.
Ecogastronomy
Where you can get the degree: University of New Hampshire
Example courses include Sustainable & Organic Food Production, Nutrition in Health and Wellbeing, and Food and Beverage Management. Ecogastronomy careers are available in hospitality, nutrition, journalism, and tourism.
Egyptology
Where you can get the degree: Brown University
Example courses include Imagining the Gods: Myths and Myth-making in Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Babylonian Magic and Medicine, Ancient Scientific Texts, and Archaeology and Text. Egyptology majors can find jobs as Egyptologists, historians, and specialized archaeologists.
Entertainment Engineering and Design
Where you can get the degree: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Example courses include Multimedia Design, Design for Live Entertainment, and History of Entertainment and Technology. These graduates can find jobs as engineers in the entertainment industry (live shows, casinos, etc.).
Exercise and Movement Sciences
Where you can get the degree: University of Vermont
Example courses include Prevention & Care of Athletic Injuries, Fundamentals of Nutrition, Exercise & Sport Psychology, and Human Movement. Exercise and Movement Science majors can find jobs in the Health and fitness industry, corporate wellness, research labs, adaptive sports programs, and community organizations.
Family Enterprise
Where you can get the degree: Stetson University
Example courses include Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development, Managerial Issues in Family Enterprise, Family Enterprise Ownership, and Case Studies in Family Business. After graduation, Family Enterprise majors will be able to run a family business, become a family business owner, or work for a family business enterprise as a professional advisor.
Farrier Science
Where you can get the degree: Mesalands Community College
Example courses include Equine Anatomy and Physiology, Horseshoeing Theory, and Blacksmithing. Farrier Science majors can become a farrier or a professional in the equine and/or agricultural industries.
Fermentation Sciences
Where you can get the degree: Appalachian State University
Example courses include Social Implications of Fermented Beverages, Vine Physiology and Vineyard Establishment, Brewing Science and Analysis, and Sensory Analysis of Wine and Beer. Fermentation Science majors will find careers in vineyards, wineries, breweries, distilleries as well as within the biotechnology business field.
Floral Management
Where you can get the degree: Mississippi State University
Example courses include Floral Design, Retail Floristry Operations Management, and Interior Planting Design and Maintenance. Floral Management majors can find jobs in freelance floral design, garden design and management, hotel/casino hospitality floriculture management, horticultural therapy, media design and styling, retail floristry, specialty visual design, traditional and concept floriculture retailing, wedding and bridal design planning, and wholesale floral management.
Jazz Studies
Where you can get the degree: University of North Texas
Example courses include Jazz Performance Fundamentals, Jazz Improvisation, History of Jazz, and Songwriting. Jazz Studies majors can go on to be Performers, Composers, Arrangers, Educators, or Jazz Historians.
Metalsmithing/Blacksmithing
Where you can get the degree: Southern Illinois University
Example courses include Fine Arts, Introduction to Visual Culture, and Studio courses. They will find careers in academia and museum work or as an independent artist.
Mortuary Science
Where you can get the degree: University of the District of Columbia Community College
Example courses include Anatomy & Physiology, Funeral Service Orientation, and History & Sociology of Funeral Service, and Funeral Service Law. Mortuary Service majors can find jobs as funeral service practitioners in funeral homes, hospitals, medical schools, health, and the offices of medical examiners or coroners.
Nautical Archaeology
Where you can get the degree: Texas A&M University
Example courses include Books and Treatises on Shipbuilding, Outfitting and Sailing the Wooden Ship, and Archaeological Photography. Careers can be found in Maritime Archaeology and Conversation as well as Nautical and Underwater Archaeology.
Oceanography and Coastal Sciences
Where you can get the degree: Louisiana State University
Example courses include Introduction to Marine Sciences, Introduction to Waves and Beaches, Global Environmental Cycles, Hurricanes and Typhoons, and Fish Recruitment. Upon graduation, Oceanography and Coastal Sciences majors can find jobs in research, conservation, coastal ecology, coastal fisheries, wetland soils and vegetation, and physical and geological oceanography fields.
Pop Music
Where you can get the degree: University of Southern California
Example courses include Popular Music Performance, Songwriting, Computer Assisted Recording and Editing, and Music History. Pop Music majors can find roles in Performance, Songwriting and Arranging, Recording Studio Efficiency, and Music Production.
Popular Culture
Where you can get the degree: Bowling Green State University
Example courses include Popular Culture and Media, Black Popular Culture, Television as Popular Culture, Folklife and Material Culture, and History of Popular Literature. Popular Culture majors can find jobs in advertising, public relations, journalism, mass media (management, performance, production, and marketing), teaching, and library and museum work.
Poultry Sciences
Where you can get the degree: Texas A&M
Example courses include Avian Science Lab, Breeder & Hatchery Management, Poultry Nutrition, and Poultry Meat Production. There are job opportunities for this major in Corporate Management, Quality Assurance, Sales or Technical Support in Live Production, Processing, or Marketing.
Puppet Arts
Where you can get the degree: University of Connecticut
Example courses include Puppet Production Techniques, Voice and Diction, Scene Design and Painting, Trends in Contemporary American Puppetry, Marionette Performance, and Marionette Construction. Puppet Arts majors can find jobs in theatre performance and design, television and film puppetry, and school and museum programs.
Race Track Industry
Where you can get the degree: University of Arizona
Example courses include Race Track Marketing and Media Relations, Racing Laws and Enforcement, Race Track Organization, and Structure and Financial Management. Graduates in this field will find track-related careers such as track secretary or announcer, journalist, or photographer.
Recreation and Leisure Studies
Where you can get the degree: University of North Texas
Example courses include Programming in Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services, and Commercial Recreation. Upon graduation, Recreation and Leisure Studies majors can find jobs in community organizations; government or privately owned leisure, parks and recreation programs; or health and fitness industry.
Sexuality Studies
Where you can get the degree: Ohio State University
Example courses include Sexuality and Religion, History of Modern Sexualities, and Sexuality and Sport. Sexuality Studies majors can find jobs in social services, counseling, health care, victim and human rights advocacy, social justice and activism, LGBTQ+ rights organizing, and reproductive rights advocacy and education.
Surf Science and Technology
Where you can get the degree: Cornwall College (UK)
Example courses include Culture of Surf & Sport, Physical & Geographical Influences on Surfing, and Surf Business. Jobs can be found in surf-related fields, surf business, and surf instruction.
Turfgrass Science
Where you can get the degree: Penn State
Example courses include Turfgrass and Ornamental Weed Control, Turfgrass Nutrition, Case Studies in Turfgrass, and Turfgrass Pesticides. Turfgrass Science majors can find jobs in golf course maintenance, professional lawn care, grounds maintenance, sod production, sales and service, athletic field maintenance, and research.
Viticulture and Enology
Where you can get the degree: Cornell University
Example courses include Wine and Grapes: Composition and Analysis, Winemaking Theory and Practice, Sensory Evaluation of Food, Wine and Grape Flavor Chemistry. Viticulture and Enology majors can find jobs in winemaking, vineyard management, teaching and research, and wine businesses.
Wildlife
Where you can get the degree: Cal Poly Humboldt
Example courses include General Zoology, Wildlife Policy, Mammalogy, Principles of Wildlife Diseases, and Conservation Biology. After graduating, these majors can find jobs in the field for state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, private ecological consulting firms, private timber companies, zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers as wildlife managers, wildlife biologists, refuge managers, park rangers, park naturalists, game wardens, recreations planners, and consulting.
More Weird College Majors
Farrier Science
Where you can get the degree: Hocking College
Farrier science is the trained study of trimming and shoeing horses of all breeds. Students in this field of study will learn how to remove an old shoe, clean out dead material, and remove extra hoof growth. They also learn about the care and handling of horses, gait analysis, and nutrition.
Most farriers are self-employed. That’s why schools like Hocking College encourage students to study business as well. With this dual-study, graduates are equipped to not only do their job but also run a business.
Brewing Science
Where you can get the degree: Auburn University
Craft beers are on the rise, and so is the need for brewing masters who understand the science behind the process. Brewing science introduces students to the production process, finishing and packaging techniques, product analysis, and brewing facility operations.
Degree programs in this field range from Associate’s to Master’s degree. Careers in this field range from assistant brewer to cellar manager to master brewer.
Arctic Studies
Where you can get the degree: University of Alaska -- Fairbanks
Arctic studies examines the regions of the Arctic and Circumpolar North. It covers a wide range of topics, including indigenous culture, international relations, and environmental concerns. This weird major pulls from a variety of disciplines, like anthropology, biology, history, literature, art, geography, and political science.
Students can earn a Bachelor’s degree in Arctic Studies; however, Master’s degrees are available in this field for more advanced study.
Human-Centered Technology Design
Where you can get the degree: University of Washington
This weird major is on the rise as our society continues to depend on technology in virtually every area of our lives. Students will learn how to design technology so that it is relatable, useful, and supportive of human activity.
This field of study is open to college students as a Bachelor’s degree and grad students as a Master’s.
Computer Game Programming
Where you can get the degree: Lamar University
Computer game programmers are also on the rise as
computer gaming spreads across a variety of platforms, like mobile, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. These majors solve problems with logic, create code for programs, and improve existing functions.
Computer programmers can start their career after completing an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree.
Casino Dealing
Where you can get the degree: Anne Arundel Community College
Becoming a casino dealer is all about learning casino games, but it also includes customer entertainment and interaction training. Students can receive a certification for this weird major but may also need to prepare and complete a state licensure, depending on where they will live and work.
Online Educator
Where you can get the degree: University of Missouri
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to put together that the last two years has seen an increase in the need for
online educators. Many in-person programs have made the switch to virtual instruction permanently because of the ease and flexibility that it provides to students. Online educators can find a variety of jobs, like a part-time language instructor to full-time professor.
Online educator degree programs will look very much like a standard Education major. There may, however, be classes that are geared toward the logistics and planning that go into online instruction.
Motorsports Engineering Technology
Where you can get the degree: Purdue University
IUPUI is the only university to offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Motorsports Engineering, and they are perfectly located to offer this weird major in the heart of Indianapolis, which hosts the Indy 500. They also provide a Master’s degree for those seeking further instruction.
During their study, students will learn engineering skills along with vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, and data acquisition.
Wind Energy Technology
Where you can get the degree: Moraine Park Technical College
Each year, we are relying more and more on wind technology to power electrical grids of various sizes. With that, there is an increasing need for technicians who can build, maintain, and service wind turbines.
Most wind energy technology programs can be completed with an Associate’s Degree.
Infectious Disease and Global Health
Where you can get the degree: Stanford University
While this weird major isn’t exactly new, it’s definitely newsworthy. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light just how important infectious disease and global health experts are to every facet of our lives, whether we realized it in 2019 or not.
This field of study ranges in degrees from a Bachelor’s to a Doctorate, and you’ll find this major at some of the top universities in the country.
Thanatology
Where you can get the degree: University of Maryland
Thanatology is the study of death, which makes it worthy of being called a weird major. However, in practice, it can actually be applied to a variety of careers. From health care to psychology, the study of death will help students in this field care for those in the end stages of life or help those left behind to process their grief.
Thanatology majors can be found at community colleges, four-year universities, and graduate programs across the country.
Accent Reduction and Modification
Where you can get the degree: University of San Diego
Accent Reduction and Modification courses are meant for those whose second language is English. These programs allow students to develop effective communication skills to thrive in their careers.
This isn’t necessarily a two- or four-year degree. It’s oftentimes a certification or optional programming provided to those already enrolled at an institution with an academic focus elsewhere.
Personal Emergency Preparedness
Where you can get the degree: University of Arizona (Global Campus)
Global pandemics, wildfires, and wars can oftentimes prompt us to reflect on our own emergency preparedness, but there is a major out there that teaches students how to put this preparedness into practice.
Courses for this major or certification cover how to plan for and respond to man-made or natural disasters. Students will learn how to help people, animals, and communities in emergency situations.
Beekeeping
Where you can get the degree: Cornell University (eCornell)
Beekeeping is more than just a hobby; it’s now a college major. Throughout courses for beekeeping, students will study the hive, interpret what they’re seeing, and respond to the colony’s needs to support them.
Students may also take coursework on maintaining a business if they opt to sell their beekeeping products. Beekeeping programs range in form, from certification to Master’s degrees.
Transpersonal/Spiritual Psychology
Where you can get the degree: Sofia University
Transcendence can be found with this weird college major. Transpersonal, or spiritual, psychology is the study of the spiritual aspects of life and how they affect well-being. Coursework in this field of study covers transpersonal theories, creative practices, and personal development and goals.
Students can complete their Transpersonal study through certifications or Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
Wooden Boat Building Technology
Where you can get the degree: Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building
Believe it or not, wooden boat building is still a thing, so much so that an entire school is dedicated to teaching students how to build and maintain all aspects of wooden boats. Located in Washington, this program attracts students from all around the world.
The Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building offers two different focuses, Wooden Boat Building and Marine Systems programs. The first takes 12 months to complete, while the latter takes just nine. Students can also take intensive courses on subjects like, electrical systems, hydraulics, and corrosion.
Artificial Intelligence
Where you can get the degree: Carnegie Mellon University
Since the emergence of ChatGPT, conversations about artificial intelligence and the impact to our working world have been endless. While artificial intelligence isn’t a new major, it’s certainly a field of interest that will experience rapid growth over the next few years.
Carnegie Mellon offers a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence. Through their academic offerings, students will explore how complex inputs can be used to make decisions and enhance the human experience as well as the ethical and social responsibility of AI use.
