Some majors at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville are competitive because of GPA requirements or limited capacity in the program. This page offers alternatives to selective majors at UTK. ACE Coaches are available to help students identify a major from which they can graduate that also aligns with their career goals. Students may begin this process by reviewing the adjacent majors that follow.
This is not an exhaustive list but rather a starting point. It is important to understand that in most instances a major does not equal a career and there are a variety of paths to most careers. Students are encouraged to visit What Can I Do With This Major? to explore the many career paths associated with common majors.
For more information about requirements for the majors listed below, visit the declaring majors page.
College of Communication & Information
- Advertising
- Public Relations
- Communication Studies
- Information Sciences
Herbert College of Agriculture
- Food & Agricultural Business
- Natural Resource & Environmental Economics
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
- Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Retail & Merchandising Management
- Sport Management
College of Arts & Sciences
- Economics
- Political Science
- Psychology
College of Arts & Sciences
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Geology & Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Geographic Information Systems & Technology
- Statistics
- Sustainability
Herbert College of Agriculture
- Construction Science
- Plant Science
- Soil Science
Haslam College of Business
- Supply Chain Management
- Business Analytics
College of Communication & Information
- Information Sciences
College of Social Work
- Social Work
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
- Child & Family Studies (non-licensure track)
College of Arts & Sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
It can be beneficial to select a major that focuses on the specific area you want to teach. For example, history, math, science, etc.
There are also options to pursue teacher licensure through post baccalaureate paths. This means you earn a bachelor’s degree in a non-licensure program and pursue your license after you graduate.
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
- Kinesiology
- Therapeutic Recreation
- Public Health
- Nutrition
College of Arts & Sciences
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Biology
- Chemistry
Accelerated Nursing Programs
There is an option to complete a bachelor’s degree in another area and the required prerequisites for nursing and then apply to an accelerated program that can be completed in one year.
Herbert College of Agriculture
- Construction Science
Haslam College of Business
- Marketing
College of Communication & Information
- Advertising
- Public Relations
- Journalism and Electronic Media
College of Arts & Sciences
- Studio Art
- Art