This webpage serves as a guide for prospective UCSB applicants whose major of choice is not offered at UCSB.
UC Santa Barbara provides many opportunities that support students in their professional and personal endeavors. Your major is not the only component that determines your career trajectory! Due to the interdisciplinary nature of most professional spaces, employers hire students from a wide range of majors that span the social sciences, humanities, and life and physical sciences. Explore alternative majors at UCSB, where you can still prepare for your professional goals.
UCSB Career Center Self Assessment
Need help figuring out what major to pursue? Take a career assessment! Assessments can give you insights into one part of who you are, but consider those results along with other research and personal reflection. Since decisions about careers involve different factors, it’s best to look at the assessment results as part of the bigger picture.
Aerospace Engineering Major Alternatives
Consider Exploring: Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering. All three majors in the College of Engineering are highly selective. Visit each department’s webpage for details. | Engineering & Technology Career Resource
If engineering is your first choice major, we highly recommend you to select a non-selective alternate major from the College of Letters & Science in your UC application.
Get Involved: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is focused on giving students opportunities to get hands-on with engineering in the automotive and aerospace fields. SAE is able to connect students with these industries, host speakers and attend conferences to prepare UCSB engineers for their future careers.
Business Major Alternatives
Consider exploring: Actuarial Science, Communication, Economics, Economics & Accounting, Financial Math & Statistics, Global Studies, or Sociology, or Statistics & Data Science in the College of Letters & Science. Visit each department’s webpage for details. | Business & Entrepreneurship Career Resource
You can even consider complementing your major by acquiring a minor, such as the Statistics minor, the Professional Writing: Business Communication minor, or the Labor Studies minor. In addition, you can also pursue the Technology Management certificate and/or join the New Venture Competition.
Get Involved: Alpha Kappa Psi is a professional co-ed business fraternity connecting students to extensive resources and alumni in some the most profitable companies. Other organizations include (but are not limited to), the AI & Entrepreneurship Society and the Associated Students Finance and Business Committee.
Criminology Major Alternatives
Consider Exploring: Biochemistry or Chemistry for a forensics background. For a social science background, consider History, History of Public Policy & Law, Philosophy, Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Sociology majors in the College of Letters & Science. Visit each department’s webpage for details. | Criminology Career Resource
Get Involved: UCSB offers Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) courses and certificates in criminal law, behavioral studies, and more.
Fashion Major Alternatives
Consider Exploring: Art (College of Creative Studies) or Art (College of Letters & Science). Visit each department’s webpage for details. | Fashion Career Resource
There are academic course offerings focused on textiles and recreational classes open to any major, like Floor Loom Weaving (Department of Recreation). UCSB also offers courses that include the study of fashion, like Black Studies 165 (African Popular Culture).
Get Involved: The Fashion Club at UCSB provides a community for artistic exploration and professional development. They strive to share first-hand industry knowledge and network for future career success. They recently launched their first fashion magazine, “Era Publications.“
Kinesology Major Alternatives
Consider Exploring: Biology, Biopsychology, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Physiology, or Psychological & Brain Sciences in the College of Letters & Science. Visit each department’s webpage for details. | Pre-Health Career Resource
Get Involved: Take advantage of course offerings from the Department of Exercise & Sport Studies. Connect with a professor to get involved in their research. Volunteer at Student Health in the Physical Therapy (PT) Clinic. Become an Athletic Performance Center Intern or Athletic Training Intern through the Department of Recreation.
Law Major Alternatives
Consider Exploring: History, History of Public Policy & Law, Philosophy, and Political Science in the College of Letters & Science for a general route. If you have a specialization in mind, we recommend that you pursue that field’s major (Ex: Major in Film & Media Studies if interested in entertainment law). Visit each department’s webpage for details. | Pre-Law Career Resource
You can even obtain the Professional Writing: Writing and Civic Engagement minor. In addition, UCSB offers Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) courses and certificates in paralegal studies.
Get Involved: Phi Alpha Delta is a co-ed pre-law fraternity interested in the legal career paths. Other organizations include (but are not limited to), the Mock Trial team and the Pre-Law Society. There are also many local internship opportunities for those looking to gain hands-on experience.
Nursing Major Alternatives
Consider Exploring: Biology, Biopsychology, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Physiology, or Psychological & Brain Sciences in the College of Letters and Science. Visit each department’s webpage for details.| Nursing Career Resource
Get Involved: Connect with peers interested in careers in the health industry by joining the Health Professions Association, professional health fraternities (Mu Delta, Rho Psi Eta), Global Medical Missions, Los Ingenieros, and more!
