1. Adventure Education

2. Astrobiology

3. Auctioneering

4. Bagpiping

5. Bakery Science

6. Beatles, Popular Music and Society

7. Bowling Industry Management and Technology

8. Citrus

9. Canadian Studies

10. Chemical Hygiene & Safety

11. Comic Art

12. Diving Business and Technology

13. Egyptology

14. Entertainment Engineering and Design

15. Exercise and Movement Sciences

16. Family Enterprise

17. Farrier Science

18. Fermentation Sciences

19. Floral Management

20. Metalsmithing/Blacksmithing

21. Mortuary Science

22. Nannying

23. Nautical Archaeology

24. Oceanography and Coastal Sciences

25. Popular Culture

26. Puppet Arts

27. Race Track Industry

28. Recreation and Leisure Studies

29. Sexuality Studies

30. Surf Science and Technology

31. Theme Park Engineering

32. Turfgrass Science

33. Viticulture and Enology

34. Wildlife

Chances are, if you have a passion, you can get a degree in the subject. And, if typical majors aren’t your thing, there are plenty of unusual majors to choose from. The following list includes some weird-but-cool college majors, along with an example of a college that offers it, details of what students in the field study and the jobs that students pursue after graduation, as listed on each example college's website. (Please note that many of these aren’t the only schools which offer the academic subjects, just an example of one of the schools.) Check out the following unusual majors – perhaps your future calling is on the list!Teaches “you how to use the Great Outdoors to expose children, adults and at-risk populations to challenging adventures, personal growth and self-discovery.”Rock Climbing Fundamentals, Canoe Paddling Fundamentals, Wilderness Expedition and Whitewater KayakingWorking in outdoor education at a state or national park, Outdoor/adventure programs“The exploration of life outside of Earth and to the investigation of the origin and early evolution of life on Earth.” University of Washington or Penn State Planetary Habitability, Astrobiology Field ExperienceAstrobiology researcher, scientist or educatorHow to be an auctioneer, from learning the “auctioneer’s chant,” obtaining and appraising items to running an auction from start to finish.Audience Communications, Auctioneering Law, Procurement and Appraisal of Merchandise, Preparations for the AuctionYou guessed it – an auctioneerBagpiping, “a program of study where a person can get a complete grounding in music as well as specific instruction on the instrument.”Studio, Theory, HistoryA bagpiper or teaching the bagpipesThe degree program “trains students for administrative, research, production, and executive positions in the baking industry.”Introduction to Grain Science and Industry, Cereal Science, Flour and Dough Testing, Baking ScienceCareers within restaurants, caterers, hotels, clubs, food manufacturers, testing laboratories, and large and small bakeriesThe degree program lets students “examine the significance of the music of The Beatles in the construction of identities, audiences, ethnicities and industries, and localities.”Understanding Popular Music, Musicology and The Beatles and Topics in History: LiverpoolPopular music studies specialist, Beatles historian“Overall learning and preparation for employment” within the bowling industry.Lane and Pinsetter Maintenance, Bowling Lanes Management, Pro Shop Operations and InstructionEntry-level positions within the bowling industry in center management, sales, marketing, and technical fields.Students learn about “planting, irrigating, weed management, pruning, fertilizers, pest identification and management, and other aspects of tree management working with our on-campus collection of many varieties of citrus trees.”Introduction to Citrus, Citrus Grove Management, Soil Science, Plants and Society and Plant NutritionLarge citrus production companies, grove service companies, agricultural cooperatives, juice processing plants, agrichemical and fertilizer companies and at citrus research facilities.The program “seeks to provide the student with an understanding of Canada.”Canadian History, Canadian Culture, Canadian Literature and U.S.-Canadian RelationsTeaching at a university or college in Canada or the United States, museums or a government councilThe program “emphasizes laboratory and experiential coursework to develop skills needed to be a professional chemical hygiene officer.”Principles of Laboratory Safety, Chemical Hygiene Responsibilities, Personal Apparel and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), General ProtocolsRunning a science lab, working in a lab as a chemical hygiene officer“Comic art students are taught to gain command of line, color, and composition, as well as character development, storyboarding, and plot to create complex works that pull readers in.”History of Comic Art, Comic Media and Concepts, Comic Book Publishing: Print and web and Comic StorytellingWorking at comic studios as a cartoonist, illustrator or author or in comic book art productionManagement of dive business along with “physics and physiology as applied to diving, emergency medicine and first aid for pressure related injuries, recompression chamber operation, mixed gas dive planning, and underwater photography.”Advanced Diving Theory and Practice, Intro to Marine Biology, Intro to Oceanography, Scuba Rescue and Emergency Medicine, Underwater Photography, Basic SeamanshipDivemaster, scuba instructor, commercial diver, research diver, underwater photojournalist, etc.Students “explore the histories, languages, cultures and sciences of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and their neighbors” and “will be exposed to the critical study of the ancient cultures of these regions (ca. 3400 B.C.E.–100 C.E.) using the tools of archaeology, epigraphy, and historical inquiry.”Imagining the Gods: Myths and Myth-making in Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Babylonian Magic and Medicine, Ancient Scientific Texts: Akkadian, Archaeology and TextEgyptologist, historian, specialized archaeologistStudents study “engineering principles, new materials, new and emerging technologies, and traditional theatrical practices while still being able to recognize the artistic demands of the entertainment industry.”Multimedia Design, Design for Live Entertainment, History of Entertainment and TechnologyAn engineer in the entertainment industry (shows, casinos, etc.)“Involves the theory and application of movement science in health, fitness and disease prevention in diverse populations.”Prevention & Care Athletic Injuries, Fundamentals of Nutrition, Exercise & Sport Psychology, Biomechanics of Human Movement, Fitness for Specific PopulationsHealth and fitness industry, corporate wellness, research labs, adaptive sports programs and community organizationsThe major emphasizes “self-awareness, family systems, utilizing family involvement as a strategic advantage and how to consult with family enterprises.”Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development, Managerial Issues in Family Enterprise, Family Enterprise Ownership: Emphasis on Legal, Estate, and Asset Protection Issues, Case Studies in Family BusinessRunning a family business, a family business owner or working for a family business enterprise as a professional advisorThe art of horseshoeing.Equine Anatomy and Physiology, Horseshoeing Theory, BlacksmithingSelf-employer farrier, equine industries, agricultural industriesWine and brewing from systems design and engineering to “understanding the social and cultural implications of food and beverage production.”Social Implications of Fermented Beverages, Viticulture: Vine Physiology and Vineyard Establishment, Brewing Science and Analysis, Sensory Analysis of Wine and BeerVineyards, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and biotechnology businesses“Involves sourcing, purchasing, distributing, marketing, designing with, and selling floricultural products. Students enrolled in this concentration are provided with courses in design and horticulture, balanced with business and sciences.”Floral Design, Retail Floristry Operations Management, Interior Planting Design and MaintenanceFreelance floral design, garden design and management, hotel/casino hospitality floriculture management, horticultural therapy, media design and styling, retail floristry, specialty visual design, traditional and concept floriculture retailing, wedding and bridal design planning, wholesale floral managementThe program is designed to “emphasize development of hand skills, and work to enhance the student’s aesthetic values, critical thinking and dialogue abilities, as well as their technical skills.”Fine Arts, Introduction to Visual Culture, Studio coursesCareers in academia and museum work, independent artist“All phases of funeral service and to assist them in the development of skills necessary to meet and exceed the standards of care in dealing with health, safety, and welfare associated to the preparation and care of the deceased.”Anatomy & Physiology, Funeral Service Orientation, Descriptive Pathology, History & Sociology of Funeral Service, Theories of Embalming & Disposition, Funeral Service LawFuneral service practitioner in funeral homes, hospitals, medical schools, health, and the offices of medical examiners or coroners.Child development training, infant care techniques, etiquette and manners, how to prepare nutritious meals and snacks, communicate effectively with parents and children, create learning opportunities focusing on the eight multiple intelligences, safety with CPR and First Aid certifications and Water Safety training, planning learning opportunities for children from infancy through adolescence, etc.Infant Care, Creative Enrichment, The Growing Child, Safety and NutritionA private nanny, childcare provider, daycares, schools“The remains of boats and ships and the cultures that created and used them.”Books and Treatises on Shipbuilding, Outfitting and Sailing the Wooden Ship 1400-1900, Archaeological PhotographyMaritime Archaeology and Conversation, Nautical and Underwater ArchaeologyPrograms “focus on ecological and oceanographic processes extending from the coastal zone to the deep ocean.”Introduction to Marine Sciences: Geological & Physical, Introduction to Waves and Beaches, Global Environmental Cycles, Hurricanes and Typhoons, Biology of Marine Invertebrates, Fisheries Acoustics, Fish RecruitmentResearch scientist, conservation, coastal ecology, coastal fisheries, wetland soils and vegetation, and physical and geological oceanography fields“Everyday life, including but not limited to everything that is mass produced by us and for us. Its subject matter is the world in which we live, relax and have fun.” Students take courses which “focus on the impact various aspects of popular culture (such as television, movies, rock music, popular books and magazines, sports, holidays, festivals, and folklore) have on our culture and how they reflect the values of our society.”Introduction to Popular Culture or Popular Culture and Media, Black Popular Culture, Television as Popular Culture, Folklife and Material Culture, History of Popular LiteratureAdvertising, public relations, journalism, mass media (management, performance, production and marketing), teaching, library and museum workPuppetry or the art of the puppet; creating, building and managing puppets and puppet showsPuppet Production Techniques, Voice and Diction, Scene Design and Painting, Trends in Contemporary American Puppetry, Marionette Performance, Marionette ConstructionTheatre performance and design, television and film puppetry, school and museum programsAll aspects of the hose race track. Students choose either a business track to learn race track management, regulation and pari-mutuel racing organizations or an equine management track to study racing and breeding animals.Race Track Marketing and Media Relations, Racing Laws and Enforcement, Race Track Organization, Structure and Financial ManagementTrack-related careers such as track secretary or announcer, journalist, photographer or other horse-related careersStudents explore “the historical, political, biological, cultural, sociological, educational, legal, health, aesthetic, and psychological contexts of human sexuality.”Programming in Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services, Leisure: Human Diversity and Environment, Principles of Leadership, Planning, Designing and Maintaining Recreation, Park, Leisure and Sport Facilities and Areas, Commercial RecreationCommunity organizations, government or privately owned leisure, parks and recreation programs, health and fitness industryStudents explore “the historical, political, biological, cultural, sociological, educational, legal, health, aesthetic, and psychological contexts of human sexuality.”Primate Sexuality, Visual Representations of LGBT Subjects, Sex and Gender in the Ancient World, Gender, Sexuality, and Religion, Love, Sex, and Relationships, History of Modern Sexualities, Sexuality and SportSocial services, counseling, health care, victim and human rights advocacy, social justice and activism, LGBTQ rights organizing, reproductive rights advocacy and educationIn a nutshell, how to be an awesome surfer.Culture of Surf & Sport, Physical & Geographical Influences on Surfing, Surf BusinessSurf-related fields, surf business, surf instructor“Electrical Engineering, with additional training from the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Departments, and covers topics in electrical power, and electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic control.”Engineering Problem Solving and Design, Computer Methods in Engineering, Engineering Problems and Analysis, Manufacturing ProcessesEngineer in theme parks, amusement facilities and related industries“Turfgrass species, establishment, maintenance, and pest control of turfgrass species used for sports, lawn/utility turf, and golf courses.”Turfgrass and Ornamental Weed Control, Turfgrass Nutrition, Case Studies in Turfgrass, Turfgrass PesticidesGolf course maintenance, professional lawn care, grounds maintenance, sod production, sales and service, athletic field maintenance, and research technician“The science and practices of growing grapes and making wines.”Wine and Grapes: Composition and Analysis, Winemaking Theory and Practice, Sensory Evaluation of Food, Wine and Grape Flavor ChemistryWinemaking, vineyard management, teaching and research, wine businesses“The preservation of all species, the enhancement of wildlife habitat, the control of wildlife problems, and the consumptive use of wildlife.”General Zoology, Introduction to Wildlife Conservation & Administration, Wildlife Policy, Mammalogy, Animal Energetics, Principles of Wildlife Diseases, Conservation BiologyWildlife biologist in the field for state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, private ecological consulting firms, private timber companies, zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers as wildlife managers, wildlife biologists, refuge managers, park rangers, park naturalists, game wardens, recreations planners, consulting wildlife biologists