Interesting College Majors Part 3: Social Justice Majors

We meet many high school students who are not aware of the full range of options when it comes to a major. But deciding on a field of study helps narrow down your list of colleges, and provides cohesion to your overall app. This article is part of a series on unexpected majors you can pursue at a variety of different colleges. We hope these articles encourage you to explore your options and find a major that helps you achieve your goals.  In this article, we examine options under the umbrella of social justice majors.

This field of study is constantly evolving. Americans, especially young Americans, are becoming more active in social justice movements. You may not know it, but this kind of activism can translate into a major and therefore, a career. Some students may be surprised to hear that they can major in something that supports their activism. However, a number of colleges offer unique social majors that can help you change the world.

This is a sampling of social justice majors. However, if you have a cause that is of particular interest to you, follow your interests! You can browse through some majors to see how that might translate into a field of study, and further, a career!

What is it: Often placed under the umbrella of Criminal Justice Studies, Juvenile Justice or Corrections focuses on the workings of the justice and corrections systems in America. Core classes focus on ethics and research; electives include classes such as Female Offenders, Exploring the Death Penalty, and Delinquency Interventions. Graduates can, of course, pursue careers within the criminal justice system. They can also work in public policy, or within certain departments of the government such as the CIA and the DEA.

Which schools offer it: Eastern Kentucky University and the University of New Haven.

What is it: Sometimes also known as Gender and Sexuality Studies, or even Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality studies, this major allows you to study the history, biology, sociology, health, and politics of sexuality. Graduates of such a major can pursue careers in related non-profit groups, counseling, research, academia, public health, law, and more. Elective classes include The Philosophy of Sex and Love, Medieval Misogyny, and Queer Literature. 

Which schools offer it: Ohio State University, Stanford, NYU, and others.

What is it: This major sounds exactly like what it is. Students who pursue an Adventure Education major learn how to use outdoor activities like hiking, camping, kayaking, and rock climbing to educate and support children, adults, and at-risk communities. Most of these programs include first responder courses, outdoor skills practicums, and other outdoor fundamentals. If you pursue this major, you can look forward to a career working for the parks service, in education, counseling, and similar paths.

Which schools offer it: Green Mountain College, Plymouth State University, Ithaca College, and more.

Finally, for the activist student, campus activities and involvement will also matter to you. Be sure to take time to get to know the social life of the campus; learn what students believe, what they get involved with, and how you can be a part of that.

To discover more about food sciences or other interesting majors, consider working with an experienced mentor. Alternatively, you can also browse the "majors" page of different college websites. Oftentimes when a college offers majors as specific as these, they also have more general versions of the same degree. This can help you explore a field of study if you're not ready to choose such a specific major. Of course, you can also work with a college counselor to assess your interests, explore majors, and discover colleges you love.   

Find all three final installments of this series on the blog below:

• 1: Food Sciences
• 2: Environmental Engineering
• 3: Social Justice Majors (this post)