Caveat College · College Planning · Free tool

From the job you want
to the major that gets you there.

Pick a career to see the majors and the degree it usually takes, or pick a major to see where it leads. Save a shortlist and see which majors keep the most doors open.

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Careers and majors, both directions

Search or filter, then open any career or major. Everything links to everything else, and your shortlist stays in this browser.

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Five levels of education

Each career shows the level it usually takes to start. Here is what each one means in time.

Certificate or apprenticeship

A few months to two years at a community or technical college, or a paid apprenticeship.

Associate degree

About two years of full-time study, usually around 60 credits.

Bachelor's degree

About four years of full-time study, usually around 120 credits.

Master's degree

One to three more years after a bachelor's degree.

Doctoral or professional degree

Three or more years after a bachelor's: a PhD, or a professional degree such as an MD, JD, PharmD, DPT or DVM.

What this resource is

Most students pick careers before they know which majors lead there, and many majors lead to careers students never consider. This explorer connects the two in both directions and is honest about how much school each path takes.

Part of College · College Planning in the Caveat Suite

Start exploring
Outcome
For any of 60 careers: the majors that usually lead there and the education it typically takes to start; for any of 55 majors: what you study and where it goes. A shortlist ranks the majors that keep the most of your careers open.
Who it is for
High school students choosing a major or a college, and the families and counselors helping them.
Format
A browser tool. Print your shortlist, download a spreadsheet, or save a file to reopen later.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-up. Your shortlist stays in this browser.
Time
About 15 minutes to explore and build a shortlist.
Space
College · College Planning primary space
Support
Questions or a problem with this tool: team@caveatacademic.com

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "How to become one" for each occupation (typical entry-level education): bls.gov/ooh
  • O*NET OnLine, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, for each occupation's tasks, skills, wages and outlook (linked from every career by its O*NET-SOC code): onetonline.org
  • Majors and career descriptions are written by Caveat Academic Services. The majors listed for each career are common routes, not requirements set by any college or employer.

No pay figures are shown here on purpose: wages change every year and vary by place. O*NET OnLine shows current national and state wage data for each occupation. Licensing rules vary by state; check with the licensing board where you plan to work.