Office of First Year and Transitional Advising

Meta Majors

Established 2021 by Dr. Efrosini Hortis, Assoc. Director of Academic Advising

Meta-Majors are combinations of academic majors from different academic areas with related courses that fit within a career area. With a Meta-Major, students can explore major choices by initially following a standard first-year curriculum, and then, when they decide on their major, a four-year educational plan is followed to complete a degree without losing time and money. 

Benefits of Meta Majors to students

• Students do not have to decide on a major instantly, and by following the meta major curriculum, they eliminate the risk of registering and paying for unneeded courses.
• Students experience less ambiguity about general education requirements and major requirements.
• Students participate in an intentional exploration of careers and opportunities within a general field of study.
• Meta Majors also offer a safety net since students do not get off track if they change among similar disciplines within the meta major.
• Provides an opportunity for timely degree completion.

SIUE Meta Major assignment

SIUE introduces and assigns a Meta-Major to students during the New Student Orientation. Advisors review choices with students and discuss possible degree programs and math pathways. Students register for their first semester in the appropriate meta-major courses that align with their future educational paths.

To make the most of the meta major, students should follow the following three steps during their first year:

1. Decide upon a meta major that interests you in collaboration with your academic advisor.
2. Follow the meta major common first year curriculum.
3. Meet with a career counselor to discuss future career options

SIUE's Meta Major options

• Arts and Humanities

  • Applied Communication Studies, Art/Art and Design, English, Foreign Languages and Literature, Geography, History, International Studies, Liberal Studies, Mass Communications, Music, Philosophy/Law, Theater and Dance

• Business and Technology

  • Accountancy, Computer Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General Business Administration, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management

• Teaching and Learning

  • Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Special Education
    *Secondary Education majors follow the curriculum for the subject they wish to teach and work towards a secondary education certification. Be sure to inform your advisor if you wish to seek a secondary education certificate.

• Engineering, Math, and Physics

  • Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Construction Management, Cybersecurity Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics, Surveying and Geomatics
  • Mathematical Studies
  • Physics

• Social Sciences

  • Anthropology, Criminal Justice Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, Social Work, Sociology

• Nursing and Health Professions

  • Exercise Science, Nursing, Nutrition, Speech Pathology and Audiology

• Natural Sciences and Medical Professions

  • Biological Sciences Specializations, Chemistry Specializations, Environmental Sciences Specializations, Pre-Medical fields

• Exploratory

  • Students who are still exploring on their major will work with an academic advisor and the career development center to explore various majors and career opportunities to assist in making a decision before declaring a major.