25 Strangest College Majors

College is the perfect time for exploring your interests and discovering what you are truly passionate about. But what if after looking through your options, traditional majors like business, engineering or nursing don’t seem like a good fit for you? Not to worry; if you want to study something a little out of the ordinary, here are 25 of the strangest college majors you can find at schools across the United States.

Puppet Arts

If your love of putting on puppet shows for your family and friends never went away after your childhood, then a degree in puppet arts may be the perfect choice for you! The University of Connecticut offers a Puppet Arts program where you can learn about the history of puppetry, design and build your own puppets, and create original puppet shows you can perform at the college’s state-of-the-art theatre. Alumni from this program have gone on to perform in Broadway or off-Broadway productions, or work on popular TV shows like “Sesame Street.”

Viticulture and Enology

For the wine connoisseurs who like to spend their time sniffing and swishing glasses of wine in order to figure out its best pairing, there is a college major where you can do just that – and more. Cornell University viticulture and enology major offers students a comprehensive education in the art and science of wine production. Here, students in this program  learn the fundamentals of grape growing, vineyard management, winemaking techniques, and the business aspects of the wine industry. Additionally, students have excess to numerous vineyards, along with the university’s Vinification and Brewing Technology Lab, that gives them hands-on experience in every aspect of the winemaking process.

Adventure Education

Are you a thrill-seeker who is always on the hunt for a new trail to hike or a new mountain to climb? If you consider yourself an outdoor enthusiast, a degree in adventure education could help you turn your passion into a thriving career. Programs in adventure education, such as the bachelor’s degree offered at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, help you to develop technical skills in activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, and backpacking, as well as how to lead and teach outdoor-related lessons to people of all ages and skill-level. Careers associated with an adventure education degree include wilderness education, adventure therapy and recreation management.

Bakery Science

If you have ever spent a weekend kneading your own sourdough loaf or perfecting your recipe of chocolate chip cookies, then you know that baking is a science. Even the tiniest change in a measurement or an ingredient can change the texture and taste of your pastry. Fortunately, there is a college major where you can learn all about this, and more. At Kansas State University, students in the bakery science and management major learn the scientific principles behind baking, including the chemistry and physics of ingredients and the relationship between ingredient ratios and product quality. In addition to the technical aspects of baking, students also study business management, marketing, and food safety regulations as they relate to the baking industry. 

Turfgrass Science

Odds are that if you have ever been to a golf course, football field or a fancy country club, you’ve likely seen or walked on turfgrass. But did you know there is a whole science behind the application, cultivation and maintenance of these impeccable grasses? If you enjoy working outdoors and are passionate about sports, turfgrass science is the ideal major you. One of the top programs for this major is offered at Penn State University, which not only provides a comprehensive education in plant biology, soil science, pest management, and turfgrass maintenance techniques, but also allows students to gain hands-on experience through the university’s research facilities and equipment.

Comedy Writing

Are you considered the “jokester” of your friend group, or were you voted as the class clown in your high school’s superlatives? Don’t worry, there’s a major to put your comedic skills to use. Colleges like Columbia College Chicago or Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, offer comedy writing and performance programs that help students hone their skills in writing and performing comedy by learning how to rite comedy scripts, develop comedic characters, and perform stand-up routines in front of live audiences. These programs also provides students opportunities to showcase their work through open mic nights, student-run shows, and collaborations with local comedy clubs and theaters.

Poultry Science

Poultry plays an incredible part of our way of life, from the eggs we eat in the morning to the chicken cutlets we eat at dinnertime. Growth of this industry has created a need for people with scientific, technical and business knowledge that are crucial to keep it thriving, so if you are considering building research, development and business skills in a unique field, consider taking a crack at the poultry science program at Texas A&M University. In this major, you can learn about the biology, genetics, nutrition, health, and behavior of poultry, as well as best practices in breeding, housing, and processing. There also two different tracks you can choose from that can prepare for either a career in the poultry industry or a background in advanced studies like veterinary medicine.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is seemingly everywhere you look; from its presence in voice recognition tools like Alexa and Siri to self-driving Teslas, it has become incredibly important to understand exactly what it is and how to utilize it effectively and ethically. If exploring this type of growing technology peaks your interest, Dakota State University in South Dakota has the perfect degree for you. In the Artificial Intelligence program, you can gain an understanding of a wide array of different AI algorithms along with the ability to analyze them and determine how to properly apply them to different problems and fields. The degree also gives you a strong background in programming, software development, and data science that can be applied throughout various careers in the computer science field.

Folklore and Mythology

Do you find yourself drawn to epic stories like The Iliad or The Odyssey, or are you eager to learn anything and everything about Greek, Roman and Egyptian gods and goddesses? If so, then Harvard University’s concentration in folklore and mythology may be the right degree choice for you. The folklore and mythology major – which also happens to be one of the oldest programs of its kind in the country – allows students to explore ancient myths, legends and folklore from around the world and examine how these stories shaped the culture of these societies throughout history. Classes associated with this program include tattoo histories and practices, Appalachian folklore, and quilt-making.

Astrobiology

Have you ever wondered if there is a possibility of life beyond Earth? Fortunately, you can turn that wonder into a career with a degree in astrobiology from Florida Tech. Astrobiology combines knowledge from various scientific fields, like astronomy, biology, geology, physics and chemistry, to help understand the origins of life and how it may exist on other planets and moons in our solar system and beyond. This major also provides students with hands-on learning and research, including access to the Ortega telescope, one of the country’s largest research telescopes that allows people to observe extrasolar planets and other cosmic phenomena.

Packaging Science

The packaging used in our everyday products, like groceries and cosmetics, may seem irrelevant at first glance. However, product packaging plays an important role in not only communicating basic product information, but also maintaining its freshness and safety and potentially reducing companies’ ecological footprint. If you’re interested in a career in a unique and well-respected industry, look no further than Rochester Institute of Technology’s packaging science major. This program offers a comprehensive and hands-on education in the design, development, and production of packaging materials and processes. Alumni in this program go on to work for companies like Hasbro, Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, and more.

Pop Culture

Are you the kind of person that likes to spend their day catching up on the latest celebrity gossip or scrolling through TikTok to find the perfect funny video? Luckily for you, there’s a college major for that. Bowling Green State University in Ohio is known for being one of the only universities in the nation to offer an entire department dedicated to the study of pop culture. Students in this major have the opportunity to explore how TV, movies, music – and yes, even memes – have impacted society and how they influence our identities, beliefs, and behaviors. Classes offered in this department include  new action heroines in popular culture, video game preservation and black popular culture.

Organ Performance

Musicians can come in all different forms, whether it is through vocal performance or through an instrument. At the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, there is one uncommon instrument that music majors can specialize in – the organ! Since this college is considered a Catholic liberal arts college, potential organists have a unique opportunity to not only hone their craft, but also learn about its history and its role in the Catholic church. If you’re lucky, you could even earn a four-year, full tuition scholarship for your organ-playing skills.

Floral Mangement

If spending your day picking flowers and arranging them in colorful and cute designs sounds like paradise, then Mississippi State University has the perfect major for you. Students in the floral management major learn the art of floral design, study flower species and gain a background in business and marketing skills that they can apply to their future careers. The university also has a professional flower shop – The University Florist – on campus that provide students with hands-on experience in the field.

Peace Studies

When you hear about this major, you may think of the laid-back hippie vibes of the 1960’s that all of us desperately want to relive. But at its core, peace studies is so much more than that. At DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, the Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies major allows students to critically mine the origins and root causes of violence and conflict, and learn strategies for resolving interpersonal, communal and international conflicts peacefully. Alumni from this program go on to work in career areas like law, education, social service and public policy.

Cannabis Entrepreneurship

Despite what opinions people have on this substance, it is impossible to deny that the legal cannabis industry is booming, with no signs of its growth slowing down any time soon. If you’re interested in exploring the rapidly expanding and evolving landscape of this industry, there is no better way to get a head start than with a degree in cannabis entrepreneurship at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. This degree not only gives you a background on all things cannabis, but also provides you with the foundations of entrepreneurship to learn how to create and launch your own business or work with an established company. Classes associated with this major include plant cultivation, cannabis law and small business management.

Entomology

These little creatures may be considered by us as nature’s pests, but in reality, insects play an integral role in our ecosystem. For example, pollination by honey bees and other insects ensures the success of fruit and vegetable crops, which in turn establishes the availability of these crops in our diet. If you’re the kind of person who would rather run towards insects than run away from them, The Ohio State University offers an entomology major that is perfect for insect lovers. This program couples a strong background in the biological sciences with in-depth study of the fascinating world of bugs. Not only will you learn about insect anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology in classes, you will also have opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships and outreach education, like the university’s mobile insect zoo, the BUGmobile.

Podcasting

Podcasts have seemingly taken over our everyday lives in recent years. From conversations about news and sports to stories about true crime cases, this growing medium has allowed people to expand their knowledge on a variety of topics and connect with people who have similar interests. If you’re looking to learn more about this field – or maybe start your own podcast – consider studying podcasting and audio storytelling at Hofstra University on Long Island, NY. hrough hands-on courses and internships, students learn how to craft compelling narratives, interview subjects, and edit audio content. The program also covers the technical aspects of recording and producing podcasts, as well as marketing and distribution strategies. Alumni in this program go on to work for companies like NBC, CBS and Disney.

Blacksmithing

Have you ever dreamed of forging your own sword similar those in your favorite fantasy TV shows like Game of Thrones? At Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, that dream can become a reality. Through their fine arts program, you can specialize in blacksmithing and learn traditional metalworking techniques from professional blacksmiths and metal artists. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art equipent, like power hammers and hydraulic presses, as you forge and weld your own jewelry and tools and, eventually, discover your own artistic style.

Equine Science

If you consider horses your favorite animal, why not turn that passion into a career? Several colleges, such as the University of Arizona, offer programs in equine science, a field of study that focuses on horses and their care. Through classes and experience working with horses at the university’s equine center, not only will you learn about horse physiology and anatomy, nutrition and reproduction, but also the ins-and-outs of the equine and racetrack industries and how to ride them!

Mortuary Science

The idea of death and working with deceased bodies may make some people queasy. But if you’re willing to take on the challenge, you might find a career as a mortician or a funeral director to be extremely rewarding. This field requires a strong background in both science and human interaction, and there is no better way to gain these skills than through Wayne State University’s mortuary science program. In this major, you’ll complete coursework in biology, anatomy, and chemistry, and also learn how to interact with families who have lost loved ones through courses in counseling, psychology and sociology. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain professional experience at local funeral homes, where you can gain clinical experience in funeral and arrangement services and embalming.

Comic Art

If you’re passionate about storytelling and imagery, or you’re interested in creating the next great comic series similar to those at Marvel and DC Comics, a degree in comic art sounds right up your alley. Numerous art schools, like the School of Visual Arts in New York City and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minneapolis, Minnesota, offer comic art majors that allow students to learn how to create and illustrate their own comic books. Classes associated with this major include those such as comic storytelling, comic production and figure drawing.

Hydrology

Water is the key to success for all life on Earth, and nobody would know that better than hydrologists. Hydrologists study water in all of its forms, and seek to solve problems that affect sustainability of water quantity and quality. UC Davis is one of the only universities in the country that offers a program entirely dedicated in hydrologic science. Not only will you gain a foundation in math, natural sciences and engineering, but also choose an area of concentration that allows you to focus more intensively on different aspects of hydrology, like water contamination and restoration or the use of computers and other technological systems in hydrology.

Equestrian Studies

Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, may be regarded as one of the country’s most prestigious art schools, but there is one program available that you probably wouldn’t expect to be offered at an art school, or any school in general. Why, it’s equestrian studies, of course! In this program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of horsemanship, such as horse care, grooming, riding, and training, along with the business and artistic aspects of the equestrian world. SCAD also has a 180-acre equestrian center located 15 minutes north of its main campus that allows students to get hands-on experience in riding and caring for the college’s horses.

Hip Hop and R&B

For a truly unique college experience, look no further than Loyola Univeristy New Orleans – the only university in the country with a major solely dedicated to the hip hop and R&B music genres. In the hip hop and R&B major, you’ll work with industry-recognized musicians, music producers and managers, and more, to not only learn about the history, culture, and impact of these genres, but also develop your skills as a producer or musician through classes in songwriting, production and performance. How cool is that?