Some students begin their academic experience
with a very good idea of what major they plan to
pursue. Others are undecided between several
areas. Some students start out with one idea and
change it along the way as they take classes. And
finally others are completely open. These are all
valid places to begin. Most students will have
settled on their direction by the end of sophomore
year, although Albany students can declare their
major after earning as few as 24 credits.
Below you will find information on each of the
majors offered at the University. There is a short
description of the major, as well as a link to
view the four year plan of coursework involved in
completing that major. These plans are called
Major Academic Pathways (MAPs). The MAP details
required courses and also shows how Minor and
General Education requirements can be completed in
conjunction with this major – all in four years.
How do I choose a
major?
Our advice is to think about
the kinds of things you would like to learn,
rather than try to connect your major subject with
a job or a career. If you are able to identify
coursework you enjoy, this will often lead to a
productive and satisfying major. We know that
all liberal arts majors will prepare you for
your future. Your choice of major will not
determine your career field. Rather, the
competencies you develop as a college student and
the experiences you accumulate will lead you to
positions in a wide variety of careers.
If you are unsure of the
field in which you would like to study, think of
choosing a MAP as simply a starting point – where
would you like to start your college career?
To identify the MAP you
would like to follow, read through the department
descriptions, click on the related MAP, and review
the departmental web sites. We hope that this
information will help you to identify your
interests and focus on one or two areas for now.
Although these MAPs are
major specific, following a MAP at this time does
not prevent you from changing directions in the
future. Your advisor will work with you to tailor
your MAP to your needs. You will see that most
MAPs include just one or two classes specifically
oriented toward the major, and then also provide
for general education and minor coursework.
