Main navigation | Main content
The University of Minnesota is a world-class research university, offering over 130 majors. These majors and areas of study are divided into several colleges. As a freshman, you may be admitted to one of the freshman-admitting colleges listed below. (If you would like advice about which college is best for you, please contact us.)
Acting1 (CLA)
Aerospace Engineering (CSE)
African American & African Studies* (CLA)
American Indian Studies (CLA)
American Studies (CLA)
Animal Science* (CFANS)
Anthropology (CLA)
Apparel Design (CDes)
Applied Plant Science* (CFANS)
Architecture (CDes)
Art* (CLA)
Art History (CLA)
Asian Languages and Literatures* (CLA)
Astrophysics (CSE, CLA)
Biochemistry (CBS)
Biology (CBS)
Biology, Society & Environment (CLA)
Biomedical Engineering (CSE)
Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering*
(CSE & CFANS)
Business:
-Accounting (CSOM)
-Agricultural and Food Business
Management* (joint program CFANS & CSOM)
-Agricultural Industries & Marketing* (CFANS)
-Applied Economics* (CFANS)
-Bioproducts Marketing & Management* (CFANS)
-Business and Marketing Education (CEHD)
-Entrepreneurial Management (CSOM)
-Finance (CSOM)
-Finance and Risk Management Insurance (CSOM)
-Housing Studies* (CDes)
-Human Resource Development (CEHD)
-Human Resources & Industrial
Relations (CSOM)
-International Business (CSOM)
-Management Information Systems (CSOM)
-Marketing (CSOM)
-Public/Nonprofit Management (CSOM)
-Retail Merchandising* (CDes)
-Supply Chain and Operations Management (CSOM)
Chemical Engineering* (CSE)
Chemistry* (CSE, CLA)
Chicano Studies (CLA)
Child Psychology (joint program CLA & CEHD)
Cinema & Media Culture, Studies in (CLA)
Civil Engineering (CSE)
Classical Civilization (CLA)
Clinical Laboratory Sciences2 - formerly Medical Technology (CAHP)
Communication Studies (CLA)
Computer Engineering (CSE)
Computer Science (CSE, CLA)
Construction Management2 (CCE)
Cultural Studies & Comparative Literature* (CLA)
Dance3 (CLA)
Dental Hygiene2 (DENT)
Dental Therapy2 (DENT)
Earth Sciences (CSE)
Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior (CBS)
Economics* (CLA)
Education:
-Agricultural Education* (CFANS)
-Business and Marketing Education (CEHD)
-Early Childhood Education Foundations (CEHD)
-Elementary Education Foundations (CEHD)
Electrical Engineering* (CSE)
English (CLA)
Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management* (CFANS)
Family Social Science (CEHD)
Fisheries & Wildlife* (CFANS)
Food Science (CFANS)
Forest Resources* (CFANS)
French and Italian Studies (CLA)
French Studies (CLA)
Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies (CLA)
Genetics, Cell Biology & Development (CBS)
Geography* (CLA)
Geological Engineering* (CSE)
Geology (CLA)
German Studies* (CLA)
Global Studies (CLA)
Graphic Design (CDes)
Greek (CLA)
Hebrew (CLA)
History (CLA)
Horticulture (CFANS)
Housing Studies* (CDes)
Individualized Studies, Bachelor of (CLA)
Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major (CLA)
Information Technology Infrastructure2 (CCE)
Inter-College Program2 (CCE)
Interior Design (CDes)
Italian Studies (CLA)
Jewish Studies (CLA)
Journalism & Mass Communication* (CLA)
Kinesiology* (CEHD)
Landscape Design and Planning* (CDes)
Latin (CLA)
Linguistics (CLA)
Manufacturing Technology2 (CCE)
Materials Science & Engineering (CSE)
Mathematics* (CSE, CLA)
Mechanical Engineering* (CSE)
Microbiology (CBS)
Mortuary Science2 (MED)
Multidisciplinary Studies2 (CCE)
Music4 (CLA)
Music Education4 (CLA)
Music Performance4 (CLA)
Music Therapy4 (CLA)
Neuroscience (CBS)
Nursing2 (NURS)
Nutrition* (CFANS)
Philosophy (CLA)
Physics* (CSE, CLA)
Physiology (CLA)
Plant Biology (CBS)
Political Science* (CLA)
Psychology* (CLA)
Recreation, Park and Leisure Studies* (CEHD)
Recreation Resource Management* (CFANS)
Religious Studies (CLA)
Retail Merchandising* (CDes)
Russian (CLA)
Scandinavian Languages & Finnish* (CLA)
Scientific & Technical Communication (CLA)
Sociology* (CLA)
Sociology of Law, Criminology and Deviance (CLA)
Spanish and Portuguese Studies (CLA)
Spanish Studies (CLA)
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences (CLA)
Sport Management* (CEHD)
Statistics (CSE, CLA)
Theatre Arts (CLA)
Urban Studies* (CLA)
Youth Studies (CEHD)
* Areas of concentration are offered within the major. For additional information consult the Undergraduate Catalog.
1 Audition required. Call the Dept. of Theatre Arts at 612-625-7461 for details.
2 Upper division major (1-2 years completed college coursework required for admission).
3 Audition required. Call the Dance Program at 612-624-5060 for details.
4 Additional application required. Go to http://music.umn.edu or call 612-624-2847 for deadlines and application information.
Note: Majors and programs may change, merge, or move to different U of M colleges. Consult the Undergraduate Catalog for up-to-date information.
Freshmen accepted to the University of Minnesota are admitted to one of the seven colleges listed below.
The College of Biological Sciences (CBS) offers majors in biochemistry; biology; ecology, evolution, and behavior; genetics, cell biology and development; microbiology; neuroscience; and plant biology. CBS is one of only three colleges in the nation devoted entirely to the study of biology. Through the relationships among biological disciplines, chemistry, and other physical sciences, students learn biology through examples and hands-on experiences that apply the scientific method to real-world problems. Most CBS graduates pursue graduate studies in the biological sciences or enter professional programs, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, veterinary medicine, and K-12 teaching. The remainder pursue employment as researchers at universities, biomedical and biotechnology companies, or in public service at non-profit or government agencies.
The College of Design (CDes), located in a major design metropolis and in one of the top research universities in the U.S., is at the forefront of the socially responsible design movement and a leader in sustainability. The faculty and students in the college seek to advance the quality and value of the natural, designed, and social environments, with a focus on the interaction of people and their world.
The College of Design offers Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in Apparel Design, Architecture, Housing Studies, Interior Design, and Retail Merchandising. In addition, the College offers a Bachelor of Design in Architecture (B.D.A.), a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Environmental Design (B.E.D.) in Landscape Design and Planning.
The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) offers undergraduate and advanced study in a wide range of teaching and human development programs that rank among the very best in the nation. Some programs offer preparation for careers in business, government, and community settings, while others prepare students for preK-12 teaching licensure by the state of Minnesota. Students can choose from a wide range of options, such as kinesiology (the study of human movement), family social science (to prepare for careers in helping people and families), youth studies (to prepare to work with youth in community settings), business and human resource education (applying business and marketing knowledge to human resource issues), foundations of education (preparing for an early childhood or elementary teaching career), recreation, park and leisure studies (to prepare for careers in outdoor education or recreation management), and sport management (to prepare for careers in sports marketing/promotion or community sports programs).
Our teaching licensure programs offer a unique approach to preparing students to teach in preK-12 classrooms. Before entering our master's-level licensure programs, applicants must complete an undergraduate degree in an area that they want to teach (for example, mathematics in CSE or CLA, or history in CLA). While students learn content at the undergraduate level, they learn how to teach at the master's level. Research and experience show that students who complete our programs are better prepared for the challenges of real-world classrooms and are more likely to succeed in their careers. After completing a licensure program in about 15 months, students are licensed to teach in Minnesota public schools and are only a few courses away from a master's degree.
Undergraduates can also get on a fast track to teaching licensure through the College's DirecTrack to Teaching Program, which offers early admission to licensure programs and valuable exposure to the culture of teaching and schools.
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) offers students an extraordinary education with 14 majors and 22 minors based in solution-driven science in the areas of food and nutrition, agriculture, natural resources, and education. Students can study agricultural and food business management; agricultural education; agricultural industries and marketing; animal science; applied economics; applied plant science; bioproducts marketing and management; environmental sciences, policy and management; fisheries and wildlife; food science; forest resources; horticulture; nutrition; recreation resource management; pre-bioproducts and biosystems engineering; pre-veterinary medicine; and related disciplines. CFANS has a long tradition of educating future leaders who understand the delicate balance of production and conservation. Students learn from faculty who use critical and innovative thinking, plus all the tools of the arts and sciences, to solve everyday problems and make our planet a productive, friendly, and sustainable environment. The College's nationally recognized programs and broad array of internship and research opportunities provide students with the education and experience they need for successful careers in private businesses, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations, or for graduate study.
The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) provides an outstanding foundation for successful lives and careers. CLA graduates are leaders across a broad spectrum of human endeavors, in such fields as law, medicine, government, business, education, public relations and marketing, the arts, and international relations. CLA offers extensive choice, with over 70 majors in the social sciences, arts, and humanities, as well as instruction in over 30 languages and innovative interdisciplinary programs that allow students to further specialize their studies. Regardless of the particular major chosen, a CLA education emphasizes adaptability, creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate with a broad range of audiences. Many CLA departments rank among the best in the nation, with faculty who are renowned internationally for both their scholarship and teaching. Building on the long pre-eminence of the liberal arts, CLA students excel in the critical thinking and communication skills that are important preparation for graduate education and also necessary for career success in today's global society.
The Carlson School Undergraduate program enrolls approximately 2,100 undergraduate students and offers 10 majors. The student experience is enhanced through internship and mentorship opportunities; frequent interactions with the business community; and a required international experience. Through its focus on building strong communication, leadership, and teamwork skills, the undergraduate program prepares students to compete and succeed in a quickly-changing global business environment.
Fall of 2008 marked the opening of the Carlson School's new 124,000 square-foot Herbert M. Hanson Hall, which provides a state-of-the-art home to the undergraduate program.
The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) offers 17 bachelor's degree programs, including 10 engineering specialties, astrophysics, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics, physics, and statistics. Its programs are ranked among the best in this country. Admission is selective; to be successful, students should have strong science and mathematics aptitude. More than 150 companies recruit CSE students each year, and long-range career opportunities are good to excellent in most fields.
1-2 years completed college coursework required for admission.
If you are interested in one of the following programs, please contact the Office of Admissions for advice regarding which freshman-admitting college(s) will help you prepare for admission after your freshman or sophomore year.
The College of Continuing Education (CCE) offers individualized, applied, and professional programs for a wide range of student populations. While not a freshman-admitting college, CCE offers bachelor's degrees to upper division students in the following areas:
Additionally, CCE offers evening and online and distance-education courses, as well as certificate programs and numerous non-credit courses. To get started exploring the wide range of options in CCE, click here.
Clinical Laboratory Sciences - formerly medical technology (Center for Allied Health Programs)
The Center for Allied Health Programs offers a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, which includes a liberal arts education and a thorough grounding in the physical sciences, as well as clinical experiences in various laboratories. The Program in CLS admits students to both the junior and senior year, and students are assigned to one of two performance sites upon admission. These performance sites are located in Minneapolis and Rochester, MN. Upon completion of the degree, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination to practice.
Dental Hygiene (School of Dentistry)
The Program in Dental Hygiene was established at the University of Minnesota in 1919 and is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. It is the only dental hygiene program in Minnesota that grants a bachelor of science degree and is affiliated with a school of dentistry. The program offers students a rigorous didactic and clinical education alongside dental and dental therapy students with whom they will work after graduation. In addition, the program blends a solid dental hygiene clinical education with the biological, behavioral, and social sciences as well as the liberal arts. Students enter the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Program after completing one year of prerequisite college coursework.
Dental Therapy (School of Dentistry)
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry offers a Bachelor of Science for dental therapists. The program offers students a rigorous didactic and clinical education alongside the dental and dental hygiene students with whom they will work after graduation. This collegial approach to education ensures a solid educational and clinical preparation, collaboration between professions, a single standard of care for patients, and a smooth transition from education into professional employment after graduation. Students enter the University of Minnesota Bachelor of Science in Dental Therapy Program after completing one year of prerequisite college coursework.
Mortuary Science (Medical School)
Established in 1908, the Program of Mortuary Science is the only program of its kind to offer a bachelor of science degree in affiliation with a medical college. Coursework includes basic and behavioral sciences, and is enhanced by extensive, clinically based field placement activities. Graduates are academically credentialed to seek employment as funeral service practitioners in all 50 states as well as abroad. Additionally, students also pursue this degree as a starting point for graduate work in fields including medicine, psychology, sociology, theology, education, and forensic science.
Nursing (School of Nursing)
Established in 1909 as the first nursing school on a university campus in the United States, the School is recognized as one of the best in the field.
Continuing its tradition of preparing leaders in the profession of nursing, the school offers a bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) as a foundation for professional practice, along with a professional Master's program. Both programs are prelicensure programs leading to a Registered Nurse.
The four-year B.S.N. program consists of one year of prerequisite courses and a three-year nursing sequence. Students are admitted to the nursing program after completing the prerequisites and applying to the program in a two-part process. Admission is once a year for the upcoming fall semester. The program has a full-time, day school curriculum and is offered in two locations, the Twin Cities and Rochester, MN. Admission is competitive.
(Bachelor's degree generally required for admission)
To qualify for admission to these programs, you generally may choose any undergraduate major. In many cases, you will be required to complete designated prerequisite coursework. Advisers in these colleges and other student service centers, such as the University's Health Careers Center, will assist you in your preparation for application to these programs. If you have questions about any of these programs or would like advice regarding which freshman-admitting college(s) will best help you prepare for future admission to these programs, please contact us.
Architecture (professional architecture program is master's level)
Continuing Education (Master of Liberal Studies (MLS), Master of Biological Sciences (MBS), and Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Arts and Cultural Leadership and Horticulture).
Continuing Education master's programs are interdisciplinary in nature and most require an applied learning approach.
Dental Hygiene (the School of Dentistry offers a bachelor's and master's program in dental hygiene)
Dentistry
Education and Human Development-M.Ed./initial licensure programs:
Agricultural Education, Art Ed., Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Ed., Elementary Ed., English Ed., Family Ed., Mathematics Ed., Physical Ed., Science Ed., Second Languages and Cultures Ed., Social Studies Ed., and Special Ed.
Most teaching licensure programs require a bachelor's degree for entry. Approximately 15 months of post-bachelor's study (including student teaching) are required to prepare for teacher licensure. Undergraduates can also get on a fast track to teaching licensure through the CEHD's DirecTrack to Teaching program, which offers early admission to licensure programs and valuable exposure to the culture of teaching and schools.)
Graduate School (master's or doctoral level)
Landscape Architecture (professional landscape architecture program is master's level)
Law School
Medical School
Nursing
The School of Nursing offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level programs. Students may apply to the School of Nursing at the end of their freshman year. Freshman applicants interested in nursing should select the pre-nursing major in the College of Liberal Arts.
Occupational Therapy (master's level; an early admission option is available)
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Public Health
Veterinary Medicine (an early admission option is available)
