3 New College Majors You Should Know About

At St. Agnes Academy, we ensure our students are well-prepared for their current academic pursuits and future college studies. That means providing ongoing education around the various courses of study available to rising college students at institutions in our area and beyond.

In response to recent technological advancements and societal shifts, many colleges and universities are rolling out new programs and majors to appeal to the strengths of today’s learners.

These new majors offer exciting career paths and have the potential to set students up to make meaningful differences within their immediate and extended communities.

Let’s explore some new college majors available to students in light of recent societal and academic changes. We’ll also cover the importance of carefully selecting the college major that’s right for you.

Some families may bristle at the notion of a student pursuing a “new” college major. However, it’s important to understand that the world of academia is dynamic and constantly changing. As the world continues to change and new problems create the need for new solutions, so must our approach to education.

In the U.S., the most popular college majors have historically included business, nursing, education, biology, and psychology. While this continues to hold true, new majors have been increasingly showing up in Top 10 lists. They are steadily gaining traction in higher education environments.

Here are 3 new college majors that are poised to make big waves in the professional and academic sectors in the years to come.

1. Data Science

Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields today, and for good reason. Data science blends elements of computer science, statistics, and business to provide valuable, analytical insights pertaining to a wide variety of professional industries.

As our world continues to rely heavily on data and analytics to interpret information and solve the world’s most pressing issues, this major can provide a wide range of professional opportunities for savvy students.

Data science might be a great academic fit for students who are analytical thinkers, self-identified problem-solvers, and STEM enthusiasts.

Making meaning out of complex data is an increasingly valuable skill in today’s job market. And the need for skilled data analysis is not likely to decrease any time soon as our local and global communities become more digitally driven.

Social media has become a dominant force in global communication and is playing an increasingly valuable role in modern business practices. The social media industry is worth billions of dollars, and the trend is only expected to continue.

Subsequently, many colleges and universities are folding social media majors into their communications degree programs to help equip students to tap into the seemingly limitless earning potential offered by the social media industry.

Students who major in social media not only learn how to create content, but they learn how to analyze user data and craft impactful marketing campaigns for a variety of different social media platforms.

In a world where nearly every organization has a digital presence, social media management is a full-time job that depends on skilled and well-informed professionals for effective execution. 

Students interested in creating content or those who excel at data analysis or computer science may find that a social media major would be a great fit for their academic futures and equip them to achieve long-term professional satisfaction.  

In light of the far-ranging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry is in the midst of a massive transformation. In response to our newfound understanding of the gaps in our existing healthcare systems, many hospitals and other healthcare facilities are investing in more data-driven, technology-powered practices and approaches.

Health/medical informatics is a new major at the intersection of healthcare, computer science, social sciences, and data science. It is intended to help students hone the skills they need to effectively implement and manage healthcare information systems.  

Healthcare-related college majors have long reigned supreme in U.S academic institutions, and health informatics is effectively opening up a whole new world of healthcare-adjacent courses of study.

Health informatics professionals played a crucial role in tracking data during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing to flesh out this growing industry will only strengthen our healthcare system in light of ongoing societal and environmental changes. 

At St. Agnes Academy, our college counseling team is dedicated to helping students discover the academic paths that best suit their interests and strengths. Whether you feel drawn to a more “traditional” major or are interested in exploring emerging courses of study, our team is here to help you find the right fit for your future.