In U.S. higher education, a degree is an academic credential, while a major is usually the student's main field. A minor is a smaller, secondary field and usually not a separate degree.
"I have a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in statistics."
Here, the bachelor's degree is the credential, economics is the major, and statistics is the minor.
What is a degree?
A degree is a credential awarded after a student meets program requirements. Common U.S. degree levels include:
- associate degree
- bachelor's degree
- master's degree
- doctoral degree
Conferral is the school's official award of the degree, while requirements and names vary by school and field.
At work, name the credential accurately:
"Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering"
A certificate, one course, or unfinished program is not an earned degree.
What is a major?
A major is usually an undergraduate student's main field. Some schools also use the term in graduate study. Major courses often form a large part of a bachelor's program, but not all of it.
"My major was chemistry."
"I majored in chemistry."
Both are natural. Major can be a noun or, in this context, a verb.
Students may also take general education, electives, and supporting courses. A double major usually means two main fields within one degree structure. School rules differ, and a double major does not always mean two separate degrees.
What is a minor?
A minor is a secondary field that usually takes fewer courses than a major. It adds planned study in another subject. It usually does not create a separate degree.
"She majored in marketing and minored in French."
Not every school or program offers minors, and course rules and transcript treatment also vary.
Academic minor has other meanings. It can mean a person below the legal adult age. As an adjective, it can mean small or less serious. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
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Start a session →Major versus concentration, track, and specialization
Schools may use concentration, emphasis, option, track, or specialization for a narrower focus. Each school defines these labels.
For example:
"Bachelor of Business Administration, major in finance, concentration in risk management"
Another school might call the same focus a track. On a résumé, use the wording from your transcript or program.
What might you hear at work?
"What was your major?"
This common question asks for your main college field, not the degree level.
"Her degree is in history, but she works in product management."
The speaker contrasts a field of study with a current career. It does not prove a mismatch.
"We are open to any major with strong quantitative coursework."
This job wording values useful preparation without requiring one major.
"I picked up a computer-science minor."
Picked up is informal. It means the person completed the school's minor requirements.
"Does the role require a specific degree?"
This may ask about the credential level or field. The job description should be more precise.
What can you say naturally?
For small talk:
"I majored in communications and minored in economics. What about you?"
For an interview:
"My degree is in biology, and my coursework in statistics led me toward data analysis."
For clarification:
"When you say a finance degree, do you mean finance must be the major?"
For an international credential:
"My program did not use the U.S. major-minor structure. My bachelor's degree focused on industrial design."
Do not invent a minor that your program did not formally offer.
What belongs on a résumé?
A common structure is:
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Minor in Data Science
You may include a minor when it supports your application. You can omit it when space is limited or it is not relevant.
Do not present an unfinished degree as earned. When useful, list the school, field, dates, or credits accurately. Follow local résumé norms.
Avoid status assumptions
People sometimes rank majors by difficulty, income, or status. Such claims can hide class, gender, or cultural bias. Ask how a person's education connects to their path instead.
More open:
"How did your major lead you into this work?"
Less constructive:
"What can anyone do with that major?"
For degree levels, see college versus university versus graduate school. For academic offerings, see class versus course in American English.