Pick a minor that adds something your major does not: a business minor for technical students, a data or technology minor for business students, psychology or a language for people-facing careers, or safety and project management for construction and industrial careers.
Popular major and minor combinations
All college minors
- Accounting
- American Sign Language
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Construction Management
- Criminal Justice
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analytics
- Digital Media
- Economics
- Education
- Emergency Management
- Environmental Studies
- Philosophy and Ethics
- Exercise Science
- Finance
- Gerontology
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Graphic Design
- Healthcare Administration
- Hospitality Management
- Human Resources
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Legal Studies
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Nutrition
- Occupational Safety
- Physics
- Political Science
- Professional Writing
- Project Management
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Public Relations
- Renewable Energy
- Professional Sales
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Statistics
- Supply Chain Management
- Sustainability
- Web Development
Frequently asked questions
What is a college minor?
A minor is a smaller group of courses in a subject outside your major. It appears on your transcript and adds knowledge or skills that complement your main field.
How many classes is a minor?
Most minors require about 15 to 24 credit hours, often five to eight courses. Each college sets its own requirements.
Should I get a minor?
A minor is optional. It can be worth it when it adds a skill employers want in your field, supports a career you are considering, or lets you explore a second interest. It can also add courses, so check how it fits your degree plan.
What is the best minor to pair with my major?
Choose a minor that fills a gap. Technical majors often add business or communication; business majors often add data analytics or a technical field; health and education majors often add psychology or Spanish.
What are the most useful minors?
Minors that complement many majors include Business, Psychology, Occupational Safety, Marketing, Spanish, and Data Analytics.
Does a minor matter to employers?
A minor can show employers that you have skills beyond your major, especially when it relates to the job. Experience, projects and practical skills usually matter more.
Can I have more than one minor?
Many colleges allow two minors, or a minor alongside a double major, if you can fit the courses. Check your college’s rules and plan with an advisor.
Can a minor be in the same field as my major?
Usually not in the same subject, and many colleges limit how many courses can count toward both. Choose a minor that adds something new.
When should I declare a minor?
Many students add a minor in the second or third year. Declaring earlier makes it easier to fit the courses into your schedule.
What is the difference between a minor and a certificate?
A minor is part of a degree and appears on your transcript. A certificate can be earned alongside a degree or on its own, and is often more career-focused.