10 Best Subjects for College Students to Minor In

Students considering a bachelor's degree often spend a lot of time selecting a major. While this is an incredibly important decision, students should also put thought and consideration into choosing the most useful college minor.

A college minor is a further area of study that students can explore in addition to their major. Minors in college typically consist of 16-21 credit hours. A minor can support your academic and career goals by opening doors in different industries. For example, business majors may choose to minor in a foreign language to support their goal of working internationally.

List Of College Minors

Here are some of the best subjects for college students to minor in.

1. Business Administration

Business administration minors will learn how to manage the daily operations and growth of a company or organization. Business administration is a useful minor for almost any career path.

2. Business Management

Business management focuses on the human, financial, and operations aspects of a business. Business managers oversee and direct the resources and activities of their company.

3. Creative Writing

Almost all industries will require some form of writing. Perfecting your writing skills with a creative writing minor can develop your skills and set you apart from other applicants.

4. English Language

English Language is a great choice of minor for any student but is particularly useful for students majoring in:

• Communications
• Public relations
• Journalism

5. Political Science

A political science minor will help students gain critical thinking skills through analyzing arguments and establishing one's views and opinions.

6. Foreign Language

In an increasingly multicultural world, learning a foreign language can help you in any industry. According to Forbes, employees who speak a foreign language earn a 19% higher salary than their colleagues who speak only one language.

7. Healthcare

Due to the aging population, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that healthcare occupations will grow at a rate much faster than the national average. 1.8 million new jobs are expected to open every year in healthcare.

8. Data Science

Data science is a useful skill for any industry that makes decisions based on data, such as in business, technology, or science fields. A minor in data science signals technical proficiency and gives students an advantage in the job market.

9. Graphic Design

A graphic design degree is especially useful for students working in the creative industry, such as:

• Marketing
• Fashion
• Web design

Graphic design pairs well with majors such as computer science or business.

10. Public Administration

Learning more about public administration can be beneficial for students interested in management, organizational policy, and government. A minor in public administration will increase your communication skills and knowledge of public administration theory.

Most Common Major and Minor Combinations

The best minors will complement a student's major and add value to their degree. Here are some common major and minor combinations.

Choosing the Right Minor

When selecting a minor, students should consider career niches they could exploit with additional skills. For example, an engineering major can stand out by adding a minor in operations management.

A student's intended career paths will guide specific skills to target with a minor. For instance, while most computer science professionals will have strong technical skills, a business administration, or political science minor can add skills that are less common but still relevant.

Consulting with an academic advisor is an important part of making sure the degree plan is feasible and that all required classes can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

Many professors and instructors will also be willing to provide guidance and support students' academic development.

Exploring Specialized Minors

Many college majors are designed to cover a wide range of topics. Students with a broad major like business, computer science, or communications may benefit from a specialized minor.

Depending on your specific career goals, minors such as can add significant value:

• Graphic design
• Creative writing
• Data science
• Public administration

Students should also consider the advantages of choosing minors that offer practical skills, such as foreign language proficiency and computer science skills, for a competitive edge in the job market

Easiest Minors to Complement Your Major

The degree of difficulty is another important factor to consider when selecting a minor. Many minors have reasonable requirements and still offer valuable training.

Exploring electives in areas such as English or environmental science may allow you to earn a minor without adding too much additional workload.

While career goals are important, students should also think about their GPA goals and overall college experience when selecting a minor.

Most colleges publish a course catalog that outlines the required courses for each major and minor. Students should inspect the required classes for each minor to assess the level of difficulty.

Is Having a Minor Worth It?

Yes, while a minor may increase coursework and required credit hours, it will enrich the overall value of a college degree.

Another benefit of pursuing a double major or double minor is the diversity it adds to a student's academic portfolio. Many students do not end up in their original career path, so a minor can be a great way to keep your options open.

Earning a minor is a cost-effective way to gain additional qualifications. Students can often complete a minor without adding significant cost to their tuition fees.

Benefits of Having a Minor

• As students survey their future career prospects, the benefits of having a college minor become clear.
• Because a minor is not required by most universities, completing a minor displays initiative and ambition. As students enter the job market, potential employers will recognize the versatility students add to their skill set with a minor.
• A minor can also allow students to explore their intellectual curiosity and expose them to stimulating new theories and ideas. A minor supports holistic learning by enabling students to branch out and find new interests.

FAQs On College Minors

Find answers to common questions about the best college minors.

Which Minors Complement A Business Degree the Most?

A business major will give students a broad education that can be applied in many different settings. Because business is quite general, students may benefit from the specialization a minor adds.

Some of the best minors to complement a business degree are:

• International relations
• Computer science
• Entrepreneurship
• Information systems
• Data science

Why Get A Minor With A Computer Science Degree?

A computer science major positions graduates to work at the forefront of many different fields. Adding a minor to a computer science degree program will allow students to learn how to apply technological problem-solving skills in a new context.

What Minors Complement A Psychology Degree?

Studying psychology can give students valuable insights into human behavior. Students looking to progress within higher education or continue to graduate school will do well to pair a psychology degree with a minor in data science. A business minor is also a good choice for students interested in fields such as human resource management.

Can You Double Minor In College?

A good college degree is customized to meet the needs of the individual student. Most colleges do allow students to earn a double minor and explore multiple interests.

Why Not Double-Major Instead?

While a double major may fit some students' goals, not all students have the time or desire to complete all the required classes for both majors. Choosing the most useful college minor can be a more efficient way to use your college credits.

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