The definitions listed below were adapted from the Index of Majors and Graduate Degrees.
Agriculture/Environmental Management - Students in agriculture studies may take courses in the following sub-fields: Agricultural business, Agricultural sciences, Agricultural economics, Agricultural production, etc. All of these sub-fields deal with different aspects in agriculture. Descriptions of these sub-fields vary from plant and animal study to the application of business and economic principles to farming. Environmental management involves the study of the effects of human activities on the environment. Environmental management encompasses a wide variety of possible specializations, which provides instruction on how to manage, utilize and protect valuable natural resources. Environmental policy prepares students to analyze, form and implement policy related to the environment. Students may take courses in either agriculture or environmental management or both.
American Studies - Most universities do not generally offer this as a specific major. Therefore, students take courses in the history, economics, society, politics, literature and culture of the United States and its regions.
Business - Students study subjects which equip them with skills for buying, selling, managing and producing. Typical courses include management, finance, accounting, marketing, and decision sciences. Courses often require a strong mathematical background, with prerequisite courses in quantitative methods and/or calculus.
Computer Science - For first-year students only. Students study the design, development, and operation of electronic data storage and processing systems, including hardware and software, and the procedures for writing computer programs.
Economics - The study of the production, conservation, and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. Courses include instruction in economic theory, micro- and macro-economics, comparative economic systems, money and banking systems, and quantitative analytical methods.
Education (Methodology) - For second- and third- year students only. The study of education involves the practice of learning and teaching, the psychology of learning, and the planning and administration of education. The field of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is not included in this field. TEFL is taught only at the graduate level in the U.S.
Journalism/Communication - The study of journalism and mass communications encompasses all types of modern mass communication media--newspapers, magazines, publications, periodicals, books, radio and television; advertising; photojournalism; public relations; production, direction, and editing for television and film; writing on various topics; radio broadcasting and production; broadcast sales; audience research; and administration and management of the editorial, advertising and business functions of publications, broadcast stations and other mass communications services.
Political Science - Political science involves the study of political institutions and their behavior. Courses include instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, parties and interest groups, public opinion, and political research methods. See sub-category description below.
SUB-CATEGORY TO POLITICAL SCIENCE:
Law - Candidates must understand that they will not be studying in a program that prepares them to be lawyers. Students will take courses from a variety of disciplines, including political science, government, history, sociology, psychology and economics.
Sociology - The systematic study of social institutions and relationships. Courses include instruction in social theory, sociological research methods, social organization and structure, family structure, and behaviors of target groups within the population. See a description of sub-categories below.
SUB-CATEGORIES TO SOCIOLOGY:
Public Health - Note: this is not a field which is equivalent to Medicine: candidates will not take medical courses on this program. This field specialists to monitor and evaluate potential and actual health hazards, and to plan and manage health programs. Public health can be defined as population-based health. Public health professionals assure the conditions necessary for people to live healthy lives through community-wide prevention and protection programs. They prevent epidemics and the spread of disease, protect against environmental hazards, prevent injuries, promote and encourage healthy behavior and mental health, respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery and assure the quality of health services.
Civic Education - Civic education is the study of how government and society are interdependent. This is an interdisciplinary field that may draw from departments of political science, history, sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, and others, depending upon the individual university’s requirements.
Criminal Justice Studies - This field consists of the study of the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public policy contexts. It includes instruction in criminal law and policy, police and correctional systems organization, the administration of justice and the judiciary, and public attitudes regarding criminal justice issues.
