For students applying to colleges that review applications based on fit for academic major, like The University of Texas at Austin, the question of which major to choose can be a daunting one. UT Austin offers 170 fields of study across 13 undergraduate colleges and schools.

While many students produce compelling applications for those majors, many others could benefit from a bit more exploration to identify a major that is a better fit for their demonstrated interests and aptitudes.

Here are our top 10 favorite “hidden gem” majors at UT Austin for students to research.

• Sustainability Studies - Students majoring in Sustainability Studies are problem-solvers who aim to protect our natural environment while navigating economic, technological and environmental challenges.

• Youth and Community Studies - This is a great major for students interested in working with kids, teens and young adults outside a traditional classroom setting, and allows students to specialize in Early Childhood, Special Populations, Coaching, or Youth and Social Services.

• Jackson School of Geosciences - This highly ranked school offers the unparalleled undergraduate experience featuring the benefits of a small college within a major university, with programs in Environmental Science, Geological Sciences and Geosystems Engineering & Hydrogeology.

• Informatics - The the first undergraduate major in the School of Information, students learn how to solve complex challenges by leveraging data insights and information technology from a user-centered perspective.

• Health and Society - With courses taught by faculty in the Colleges of Natural Sciences, Education, Communications and the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Health and Society lends itself to careers in healthcare and public health education.

• Black Studies - With a history rooted in activism, the group draws its strength from four distinct yet aligned campus units – the African and African Diaspora Studies Department, the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies, the Institute for Urban Policy Research & Analysis, and the Art Galleries at Black Studies.

• Arts and Entertainment Technologies - A relatively new major that blends creative expression with technological innovation, AET offers emphases in Music and Sound, Game and Mobile Media Applications, and New Performance Technologies.

• Communication and Leadership - A good fit for strong communicators and big-picture thinkers, this major aims to produce effective and ethical future leaders in public service, non-profits, and business.

• American Studies - This is a great interdisciplinary for students who are interested in many topics. You get to take classes in just about any topic.
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  Sport Management - Students learn about the business side of sports and entertainment industries ins the Sport Management major. Undergraduates enter the College of Education as a Physical Culture and Sports major. After completing the prerequisite courses, students apply to the Sport Management program.

All of these majors have something in common: they’re interdisciplinary! Interdisciplinary degrees allow students to frame their interests through multiple academic perspectives, producing versatile graduates ready for a range of career fields, graduate programs and professional schools. We encourage you to uncover more “hidden gem” majors by exploring with Wayfinder, a tool offered by UT Austin’s School of Undergraduate Studies.

Note: Our services and programs are in no way related to the University of Texas,  the University does not endorse the program or College MatchPoint’s services.