Top 20 Most Unique College Majors

College is the perfect opportunity to actually choose what you want to study! So, if you are interested in unconventional areas of study then you have come to the right place! There are many quirky or atypical majors that exist that could lead you to take some unique courses and ultimately end up with a unique career. 

Also see: How to choose a major 

It is important to note that in this list, each unique major has a college that offers it listed beneath. However, this may not be the only college or university that offers this area of study, it is simply an example of a school that has that major available for students, Let’s get started!

1. Bakery Science

Major offered by: Kansas State University

K-State is the only school in the United States that offers a four-year degree in Bakery Science. Through this major, students will enhance their knowledge of the baking industry and train for a number of positions involving product development, production management, quality control or research and development. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Cereal Science
• Food Processing
• Internship in Grain Science
• Flour & Dough Testing
• Bakery Layout

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Bakery Technologist
• Food Safety/Sanitation Specialist
• Sales and Marketing Professional
• Product Development Scientist or Manager

Related: Top culinary scholarships

2. Beekeeping

Major offered by: eCornell

eCornell offers a certificate program called master beekeeping catered towards beekeepers with at least 3 years of experience who are seeking to advance their knowledge in order to increase the success of their operation and gain credibility as a resource in the beekeeping community. This program is 15 months long and is a blend of online and in-person classes. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Honey Bee Evolution, Biology and Behavior
• Managing Pests and Diseases
• The Science and Art of Beekeeping
• The Rewards and Contributions of Beekeeping

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Beekeeper

3. Bicycle Design and Fabrication

Major offered by: Minnesota State College Southeast

The Bicycle Design and Fabrication program is a 2-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree which provides hands-on experience in the development, testing and production of bicycles.  

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Welding
• Prototyping 
• Computer Aided Manufacturing
• Computer Aided Drawing/Design

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Test Technician
• Mechanical Design
• Production Specialist
• Engineering Technician 
• Quality Assurance Technician 

Also see: Highest-paying associate degree jobs

4. Cannabis Biology and Chemistry

Major offered by: Colorado State University Pueblo

The Bachelor of Science in Cannabis Biology and Chemistry provides students with an understanding of cannabis physiology and growth, the pharmaceutical implications and the practical applications for the industry. The degree is flexible enough with elective credits that allow students to gain expertise in other fields such as business, ethics and social science making graduates of this program desirable in a post-higher education environment. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Organic Chemistry
• Cannabis Physiology & Growth
• Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology
• Natural Products Extraction & Analysis
• Botany 

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Agricultural and Food Scientists
• Biological Technicians
• Biochemists
• Biophysicists
• Chemical Technicians
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists

Related: Top biology scholarships

5. Casino dealing

Major offered by: Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland

Students can earn an Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) continuing education certificate upon completion of the Casino Dealing program.  Students will learn how to deal a variety of games and master the customer service skills necessary to entertain and interact with casino patrons.

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Carnival Games Dealer
• Act 1 Black Jack Dealer
• Mini Baccarat Dealer
• Introduction to Craps
• Casino Poker Dealer
• Casino Roulette Dealer

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Gaming dealer

6. Citrus

Major offered by: Florida Southern College

The nation’s only bachelor’s degree program in citrus is found at Florida Southern College. This degree will provide students with a foundation in biology, chemistry and crop production with a unique focus on citrus crops. Florida Southern College’s location makes it close to citrus trees, greenhouses and comprehensive gardens which allows for hands-on experience. 

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Landscape Design
• Nursery Worker
• Horticultural Inspector
• Farmer
• Florist

Also see: Top agriculture scholarships

7. Comic Art

Major offered by: Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) 

The Comic Art major combines the traditional and digital craft of comics. As a Comic Art major, students will experiment with conventional and experimental aspects of comic storytelling, gain foundational skills in a variety of creative media and acquire the skills necessary for a professional career in comics. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Comedic Media and Concepts
• Comic Book Publishing: Print and Digital
• Drawing: Figure
• Experimental Comics
• Professional Practice

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Comic Artist
• Cartoonist
• Film Storyboarder
• Colorist, Letterer, Inker

Also see: Top art scholarships

8. Floral Management

Major offered by: Mississippi State University

Floral Management involves sourcing, purchasing, distributing, marketing, designing and selling floricultural products. Mississippi State University has a professional flower shop on campus owned by the Department of Plant and Social Sciences that help students gain real-world experience. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Plant Biology
• Intro Insects
• Plant Propagation 
• Interior Design Fundamentals
• Post-Harvest Care/Cut/Crop
• Wedding Floral Design 

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Freelance Floral Design
• Garden Design and Management
• Horticulture Therapy
• Retail Floristry
• Wedding and Bridal Design Planning

Related: Top horticulture and floriculture scholarships

9. Foresight

Major offered by: University of Houston 

A Master of Science in Foresight which is the study of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future. The Foresight program is focused on the practical application of foresight methods through real projects with real clients. Students will be able to assess client needs, design projects and lead clients through the foresight process which will bring about useful results and informed decisions about the future. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Advanced Strategies for Futures Planning
• Introduction to Foresight
• Futures Research
• Systems Thinking

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Commercial firms
• Consumers Sciences
• Government Agencies
• Non-profit Organizations
• Futures-related research firms

10. Game Science and Design 

Major offered by: Northeastern University

The Master of Science in Game Science and Design trains students in the design, science and skills needed to create games and develop a deep understanding of game analytics. Through this program, students will have an opportunity to learn the design and skills needed to build a game and develop an understanding of playability to make products successful. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Game Design and Analysis
• Business Models in the Game Industry
• Player Experience 
• Game Artificial Intelligence
• Psychology of Play 
• Data-Driven Player Modeling 

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Game designer
• Software Engineer
• Game programmer
• Mobile App Designer 

11. Costume technology

Major offered by: Depaul University

A Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (BFA) in Costume Technology prepares students to work in the costume industry. Students will gain practical experience as stitchers, drapers, craftspeople, wardrobe and shop assistants. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• 20th century tailoring
• Costume management
• Costume hair and makeup
• Costume design 

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Television
• Film
• Theater

Also see: Top summer theatre camps for high school students

12. Diving business and technology

Major offered by: The College of the Florida Keys

An Associate in Applied Science in Diving Business and Technology is available from the College of the Florida Keys. Various diving certifications are available through agencies such as the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), American Underwater Products (AUP), Divers Alert Network (DAN), Emergency First Response (EFR), the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Professional Cylinder/Scuba Inspectors (PCI/PSI). 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• The Business of Diving
• Introduction to Marine Biology 
• Aquatic First Aid
• Scuba Rescue and Emergency Medicine 
• Underwater Photography
• Coral Reef Biology and Management  

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Dive Instructor
• Underwater Photographer
• Divemaster
• Dive Shop Owner
• Rentals and Equipment Repair

13. Egyptology 

Majored offered by: Brown University

Egyptology is the study of ancient Egypt and an undergraduate program of study at Brown University. This degree provides students with a solid foundation of ancient Egypt using tools of archaeology, epigraphy, historical inquiry and a variety of interdisciplinary and theoretical approaches in order to explore the ancient languages, art, religious traditions and architecture. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Egypt in the Time of Cleopatra
• The Pyramids in Context 
• Ancient Egyptian Art
• Monsters
•  Lost Languages
• Mathematics in the Ancient World

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• University professor
• Museum curator
• Historian
• Translator

14. Fermentation sciences

Major offered by: Appalachian State University

The Bachelor of Science in Fermentation Sciences prepares students for a diverse career in fermentation related industries. This program provides students with a strong background in chemistry and biology with a food and beverage-based focus in biotechnology, sustainability and business. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Social Implications of Fermented Beverages
• Fermentations of the World
• Principles of Wine Production
• Brewing Production and Analysis

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Wine Production
• Food and Beverage Processing
• Brewing Production
• Process Engineering

15. Jazz studies

Major offered by: New York University

A Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies focuses on a wide range of liberal arts core classes including humanities, social sciences, quantitative reasoning as well as classes in music history, music theory, keyboard harmony and improvisation. At NYU, students are encouraged to perform in various bands at various iconic jazz venues throughout New York City. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Jazz History
• Songwriting History and Criticism 
• Music in World Cultures 
• Instrumental Jazz
• Jazz Theory and Ear Training
• Jazz Arranging and Composition

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Professional musician
• Music Teacher
• Songwriter
• Performer

Related: Top music scholarships 

16. Mortuary science

Major offered by: University of District of Columbia Community College

The Mortuary Science associate degree program provides students with comprehensive knowledge in mortuary science and prepares students to enter the funeral service profession. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Theories of Embalming
• Funeral Service Law
• Psychology of Grief
• Funeral Service Management and Principles
• History and Sociology of Funeral Service

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Funeral Home Managers
• Mortician
• Funeral Arranger
• Embalmer

17. Poultry sciences

Major offered by: NC State University

The Poultry Science major teaches students how to raise and manage healthy chickens, turkey and ducks to cultivate eggs or meat. Students will study animal nutrition and food science in order to gain an understanding of the significant contributions that poultry has made to advancing our knowledge on basic principles of biology. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Evaluation of Live Poultry
• Production and Management of Game Birds in Confinement
• Turkey Production
• Commercial Egg Production
• Incubation and Hatchery Management
• Feed Mill Management
• Feed Formulation
• Poultry Breeding

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Research Assistant
• Veterinarian 
• Farm Manager
• Poultry Production Manager
• Quality Control Inspector
• Animal Product Sales Representative

18. Puppet arts

Major offered by: University of Connecticut 

A major in Puppet Arts helps students develop skills in storytelling, design, sculpting, engineering, problem solving, fabrication, dramatic acting, video production, writing and other areas. The Puppet Arts program is designed to teach students the history of Puppetry, grant opportunities to perform and work with a variety of tools and materials. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Introduction to World Puppetry
• Movement Based Performance for Puppet Theatre
• Plays for Puppet Theatre
• Paper Sculpture
• Rod Puppetry
• Hand Puppetry
• Toy Theatre
• Scene Construction
• Costume Design 

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Design
• Acting/Voice Work
• Directing
• Puppeteer
• Writing

19. Race track industry

Major offered by: University of Arizona 

The Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences with a Race Track Industry emphasis is centered around the horse racing industry. Students will focus on either race track management or racing and breeding. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Race Track Marketing and Media Relations
• Racing Laws and Enforcement
• Racing Business Strategies & Global Perspective

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Bloodstock Evaluation and Sales
• Race Horse Trainer
• Marketing and Public Relations
• Racing Regulation
• Race Track Management 

20. Turfgrass science

Major offered by: Penn State University

A major in Turfgrass Science trains current and future turfgrass facility managers in communicative and mathematical skills to make students qualified to support various turfgrass locations such as golf courses, athletic fields and landscapes. The Turfgrass Science major includes studying plant sciences, business management as well as an internship to prepare students for their future careers. 

Example courses offered for this major: 

• Race Track Marketing and Media Relations
• Racing Laws and Enforcement
• Racing Business Strategies & Global Perspective

Example careers obtained with this degree: 

• Golf Course Superintendent
• Athletic Field Manager
• Business Owner
• Lawn Care Industry
• Plant Biotechnology

How do I know if a unique major is for me? 

Ultimately, if any field of study piques your interest throughout this list of unique majors you should research that major more thoroughly! Visit the college or university’s website that offers this major and learn about the programs. Research enrollment numbers, the required courses, the faculty, and potential career paths with a degree in this field. Ultimately, whether or not a major, uniqueness aside, is right for you depends on factors such as your personal interests, what you are looking for in a campus and in a program, what type of job you want after graduation, and much more. So, we recommend that you create a pros and cons list for the unique major you are contemplating to help you make your decision. 

It is important if you are unsure what you want to do or major in, it may be more beneficial to select a broad major or enter college undecided. Doing so allows the time to figure out what you want to study and not be locked into a niche and unique field. 

Related: How to choose a major

Frequently asked questions about unique college majors