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The Center for Academic Advisement and Student Success and First College Year are committed to guiding you toward your educational and career goals. As a first-year student, you may feel sure about your future career, or you may be undecided or are debating between two or three majors. To help you explore your options while fulfilling graduation requirements, we have grouped similar programs together into “areas of interest,” providing an early path toward a variety of related careers.
The information below is intended to be used as an advisement tool to help you prepare for your upcoming academic advisement appointment. By reviewing the information carefully, you are taking the right step toward building an academic plan that’s right for you as well as the best possible schedule for upcoming semester.
Take 15 credits per term to graduate in four years. For example, all majors follow this basic path: Pathways (42 credits) + Major (X credits) + Electives / Minor (Y credits) ≥ 120 credits. If we look at the Sociology B.A.: Pathways (42 credits) + Sociology Major (38 credits) + Electives / Minor (40 credits) = 120 credits.
Choose this area if you are thinking about becoming a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or nurse, among other healthcare professions. Like most colleges and universities, Brooklyn College does not offer a “pre-health” major for medicine or similar careers. Instead, students pursue the major of their choice and supplement that with a selection of courses designed to prepare them for postgraduate studies in a professional school. As such, you are encouraged to explore all your options before selecting a major, as any major can complement a pre-health professional track.
*Individual schedules may vary depending on what courses you are currently enrolled in, course availability, and schedule constraints.
Choose this area if you are thinking about becoming an anthropologist, computer programmer, mathematician, or psychologist, or are interested in a career in laboratory and field sciences spanning the range of biology, chemistry, and environmental science—for example, botanist, chemist, marine biologist, microbiologist, zoologist, etc. The connected nature of science means that courses often have multiple prerequisites. To adequately prepare for advanced courses, it is important to get off to a good start. Your priority in your first year should be to begin introductory courses in the sciences.
Choose this area if you’re thinking about a career in accounting, economics, financial management, business law and real estate, consumer and organizational behavior, e-business, international business, human resource management, management, marketing, etc. Brooklyn College has several business degrees that prepare students for a wide range of professional careers. Students can learn how to successfully start and develop a for-profit company or a not-for-profit organization as well as position themselves to pursue further study at the graduate level, with a strong foundation in business.
Choose this area if you’re interested in studying human life through its literature, conflicts, and philosophy. An education in humanities and social sciences (HSS) is important preparation for a changing world and a shifting economy. Majors in this area include Africana studies, American studies, classics, communication, English, history, modern languages, political science, sociology, and women’s and gender studies, among many others. HSS empowers interdisciplinary team-based problem solving, rooted in rigorous disciplinary training. Students build skills in critical thinking, creative expression, data analysis, and the capacity to articulate evidence-based decisions.
Choose this area if you’re thinking about becoming an actor, art historian, cinematographer, composer, curator, designer, director, editor, educator, filmmaker, musician, playwright, photographer, songwriter, TV/radio writer, etc. Brooklyn College boasts a rich history of extraordinary faculty (past and current) and alumni. Classes are taught by some of the finest artists and performers in the country. Each department is equipped with top-notch equipment—which students have access to—as well as studio and performance spaces.
Choose this area if you’re thinking about becoming a pre-K teacher, elementary school teacher, high school teacher, etc. Students learn how children and youth develop in the worlds of family, community, and schools, while embracing the excitement of teaching and learning. Our education faculty are experienced, talented, and deeply caring professionals who can help guide you into the ranks of classroom professionals.
If you’re undecided or unsure what major or career you’d like to pursue at this time, that’s OK! Your adviser can help guide you and start you on a path that will keep your options open while simultaneously preparing you for advanced courses when you are ready to choose. Starting out undecided can introduce you to classes, professors, and fields that might spark an interest you didn’t know you had. After all, college presents you with opportunities most high schools just can’t: internships, research opportunities, etc.
