Explore IU Indianapolis degrees and career opportunities
As a University College student, you're preparing for entry into a degree-granting program.
Whether you're a pre-major or Exploratory student, you'll benefit from advising and career guidance from our specialized support teams. The broad range of IU Indy's academic offerings paired with this support ensure that, when you start in University College, you'll succeed everywhere.
Search and filter the majors tool below to discover the available opportunities and to understand your program's admission requirements.
Mix it up
Explore minors and certificates, additional credentials you can add to your degree. Ready to declare, add to, or change your major?
New majors are no longer being accepted.
Geography is the study of spatial patterns and processes in both the natural world and the world of human affairs. The spread of disease, the sprawl of cities, the distribution of plants and animals, and the diffusion of culture and ideas all exhibit a spatial component that is the focus of geography.
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
(AST)
Investigative
Realistic
Conventional
As a geographer, you'll learn methods of natural sciences, social sciences, and even the arts. You'll also learn about tools to understand the fundamentals of place, including maps, satellite images, interviews, and field work. Through this major, you'll gain skills in analytics, communication, critical thinking, writing, and research.
Employment of cartographers and photogrammetrists is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,000 openings for cartographers and photogrammetrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2023, the average starting salary reported for School of Liberal Art graduates was $50,036, and the median salary was $47,840 .
The national median annual salary for cartographers and photogrammetrists was $76,210 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
Geography majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
Business management
Education
Geography
Natural sciences
Regional planning
Urban planning
Quick facts
Sample coursework
Cartography and graphics
Environmental geography
Geography of wine
Human geography
Medical geography
Research methods in geography
Urban geography
Possible careers
Cartographer
Environmental consultant
Geographical information systems officer
Landscape architect*
Surveyor
Urban or regional planner*
*These careers require additional training or education.
We believe in our power and responsibility to help others. Each year, our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. Join us if you want to make a difference.
Choose among programs in over 50 countries and nearly 20 languages, including English. Both shorter and longer immersion programs are also available.
Your specialized support team
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
The AST cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in education, music, art and design, computing, social work, informatics, liberal arts, math, public safety, science, and technology.
Use a foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and math to understand earth systems and processes. Learn how earth sciences are applied and how they relate to modern society. Students pursuing this degree can earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science.
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
(AST)
Realistic
Investigative
Conventional
Geology includes the study of interrelationships in the modern environment, such as important concerns about how our global environment and climate are changing and how these changes will affect human activities. Students pursuing this major can choose to study earth material (rocks, sediment, soil, petroleum), water (oceans, groundwater, water quality), or the atmosphere (climate change, air quality). Many students in this major conduct research with faculty as part of their degree.
Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,200 openings for geoscientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2023, the average starting salary reported for School of Science graduates was $52,368, and the median salary was $50,000.
The national median annual salary for geological and hydrologic technicians was $53,440 in May 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
Geology majors often pursue advanced degrees in geology or a related area, as advancement is greater for those with a graduate degree. Students may choose to pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
The IU Indianapolis Center for Service and Learning has many service-oriented programs that allow you to work with and impact your community in endless ways.
Grow your skills through internships or part-time jobs. Join the School of Science Career and Internship site in Canvas for additional information and resources.
Your specialized support team
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
The AST cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in education, music, art and design, computing, social work, informatics, liberal arts, math, public safety, science, and technology.
New majors are no longer being accepted.
Achieve communicative and cultural competence in German, such as speaking and writing about everyday topics, as well as more complex subjects. A step-by-step progression of language courses enables you to attain these goals.
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
(AST)
Investigative
Social
Enterprising
The IU Indianapolis German program trains students to achieve communicative and cultural competence in German, such as speaking and writing about everyday topics, as well as more complex subjects. A step-by-step progression of language courses enables students to achieve these goals.
Employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 7,200 openings for interpreters and translators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2023, the average starting salary reported for School of Liberal Art graduates was $50,036, and the median salary was $47,840.
The mean starting salary for liberal arts graduates who majored in world languages and cultures was $44,361 for the class of May 2020, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
World languages and cultures graduates often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
Business management
Communications
Education
English as a second language
International affairs
Journalism
Linguistics
Political science
World language literature
Quick facts
Sample coursework
Immersion abroad experience
Islam, gender, and conflicts
Translation studies
World cultures through language
World language courses
World literature
Possible careers
Communications specialist
International student services
Legal analyst
Nonprofit program coordinator
Paralegal*
Translator/interpreter
*This career requires additional training or education.
We believe in our power and responsibility to help others. Each year, our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. Join us if you want to make a difference.
Choose among programs in over 50 countries and nearly 20 languages, including English. Both shorter and longer immersion programs are also available.
Your specialized support team
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
The AST cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in education, music, art and design, computing, social work, informatics, liberal arts, math, public safety, science, and technology.
New majors are no longer being accepted.
With the world becoming more globalized, why not get a degree in a field that helps you understand global and international affairs? This program is designed with a multidisciplinary approach, so you’ll take classes in economics, history, culture, business, and more.
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
(AST)
Enterprising
Investigative
Social
The global and international studies major helps you understand the international system. You'll learn another language; specialize in a given region of the world; study abroad; and focus on cultural, historical, political, and economic aspects of the international system. The most innovative feature of the major is that you can tailor a combination of regional and thematic concentrations to meet your own academic interests and career goals. International studies will bring awareness of the major global forces at work in our twenty-first century world.
Employment of business or management analysts is projected to grow 10% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 92,900 openings for business or management analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Employment of disaster relief directors is projected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 900 openings for disaster relief directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2023, the average starting salary reported for the School of Liberal Art graduates was $50,036, and the median salary was $47,840.
The national median annual salary for business or management analysts was $99,410 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook). The national median annual salary for disaster relief directors was $83,960 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
Global and international studies majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
Business management
Education
English as a second language certification
International affairs
Journalism
Law
Linguistics
Political science
Quick facts
Sample coursework
Cultural anthropology
Language courses
Human geography
Introduction to international relations
Introduction to international studies
Perspectives on the world
Study abroad experience
Possible careers
Business analyst
Disaster and disease relief
Journalist
Public relations specialist
Trade specialist
United Nations officer*
Volunteer coordinator
*This career requires additional training or education.
We believe in our power and responsibility to help others. Each year, our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. Join us if you want to make a difference.
Choose among programs in over 50 countries and nearly 20 languages, including English. Both shorter and longer immersion programs are also available.
Your specialized support team
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
The AST cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in education, music, art and design, computing, social work, informatics, liberal arts, math, public safety, science, and technology.
Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
Health Information Management
Make an impact on the health care industry without becoming a nurse or physician. Learn to manage electronic health records, analyze health information, ensure patient privacy, and educate medical teams on best practices and new developments to assist them with patient care. Program graduates will be able to sit for a national Registered Health Information Administrator credentialing exam.
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
(AST)
Conventional
Investigative
Enterprising
In the age of technology, health information management (HIM) professionals are an essential part of the health care world. Professional experience is built into the curriculum at IU Indianapolis, and you will be able to sit for a national Registered Health Information Administrator credentialing exam upon graduation. If you're interested in the dozens of fields within the HIM world, you can check out the [https://my.ahima.org/careermap](career map) from the American Health Information Management Association.
Employment of health information technologists and medical registrars is projected to grow 16% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings for health information technologists and medical registrars are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2021, the average starting salary reported for health information management graduates was $49,683, and the median salary was $53,750.
The national median annual salary for health information technologists and medical registrars was $62,990 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
Health information management majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
Business administration
Health administration
Health informatics
Law
Management
Medicine
Quick facts
Sample coursework
Database design for health information management
Health care quality improvement
Medicine and the law
Pathophysiology and pharmacology for HIM
Quantitative analysis of health information
Release of health care information
Social foundations of biomedical informatics
Possible careers
Claims or financial analyst
Data and systems analyst
Electronic health record implementation or support
Luddy Indianapolis has many student organizations, which are a great way to build your skills, network, and grow as a professional.
Your specialized support team
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
The AST cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in education, music, art and design, computing, social work, informatics, liberal arts, math, public safety, science, and technology.
Discover what there is to know about rehabilitation, the effects of aging on the body, the positive effects of proper nutrition and health care promotion initiatives, research’s impact on patient outcomes, and more. This program offers three certificate options: gerontology, global health rehabilitation studies, and rehabilitation and disability.
Health and Life Sciences
(HLS)
Social
Conventional
Investigative
This program is great for students seeking employment directly out of the undergraduate program and those intending to pursue graduate or professional study. Students pursuing the health sciences major will gain skills in communication, active listening, attention to detail; knowledge of business and legal considerations in health care; and a foundation in social sciences.
Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 54,700 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2021, the average starting salary reported for health sciences B.S. graduates was $37,897, and the median salary was $40,000.
The national median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $110,680 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
Health sciences majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
Health administration
Medicine
Nursing
Occupational therapy
Physician assistant
Public health
Social work
Quick facts
Sample coursework
Aging and the older person
Diversity issues in health and rehab
Ethical issues in rehab services
Health promotion and disease prevention
Legal and regulatory aspects in rehab
Program evaluation methods in rehab
Possible careers
Disability advocate
Nonprofit program coordinator
Physical therapist*
Physician assistant*
Rehabilitation counselor*
Wellness program director
*These career options require additional training or education.
The School of Health and Human Sciences hosts a number of initiatives for students to get involved, add to their resume, and give back to the community.
LHSI is a paid internship program that places second- and third-year IU Indianapolis students in a variety of health and science workplaces to gain practical experience and skills.
Working on campus for offices such as Campus Recreation or the Office of Health and Wellness can provide great preparation for a variety of health-related careers.
Your specialized support team
Health and Life Sciences
The Health and Life Sciences (HLS) cluster prepares students to pursue majors and careers in the diverse and exciting world of health care. HLS majors can explore careers in patient care, laboratory work, health care administration, and health education.
Combine health care and business expertise with this major where you'll learn to balance priorities and budgets, meet legal mandates, and solve fiscal and managerial issues. With the combination of health care and business knowledge, you'll be prepared to pursue a position in health care or pivot your career if you choose.
Health and Life Sciences
(HLS)
Enterprising
Social
Conventional
When you pursue a major in health services management, you'll be trained to balance priorities and budgets, solve fiscal and managerial problems, and meet legal mandates, all while upholding the highest standards of public health and health care. You'll also be immersed and challenged in courses on health care finance and budgeting, management, managed care, health care law, marketing and communications, human resources, organizational leadership, strategic planning, and U.S. health policy.
Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 54,700 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2022, the average starting salary for Fairbanks School of Public Health graduates was $47,975, and the median salary was $45,506.
The national median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $110,680 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
Health services management majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
Business administration
Education
Health administration
Law
Management
Medicine
Quick facts
Sample coursework
Health care delivery in the United States
Health care marketing
Health care organizational behavior
Health finance and budgeting
Health systems administration
Strategic planning for health care organizations
Possible careers
Continuous improvement specialist
Human resources specialist
Long-term care administrator
Medical staffing coordinator
Patient access specialist
Physician recruiter
Where could I work?
Health departments
Health-related nonprofits
Home health companies
Hospitals and health systems
Insurance companies
Medical practices or outpatient clinics
Nursing homes
Rehabilitation centers
Admission requirements
Admission by application
Be declared a Health Services Management major
2.5 previous term GPA
2.5 cumulative GPA
12 hours completed at IU Indianapolis or IU Fort Wayne
Completion of ENG-W 131 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better
Ever wanted to travel to Sweden? China? Colombia? There are many opportunities available through IU to study abroad and to gain insight into global health systems.
Your specialized support team
Health and Life Sciences
The Health and Life Sciences (HLS) cluster prepares students to pursue majors and careers in the diverse and exciting world of health care. HLS majors can explore careers in patient care, laboratory work, health care administration, and health education.
To understand where we’re going, you have to look back. Those who major in history do just that, helping lead the way as we look toward the future. In this program, you’ll learn from nationally and internationally recognized experts and gain experience in conducting research, curating exhibitions, authoring publications, and more.
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
(AST)
Conventional
Social
Investigative
The Department of History is committed to quality teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department offers a variety of options for undergraduate majors and minors in history for students who need history classes for their own majors and for those who are looking for interesting electives. The department is proud of its close working relationships with other programs on campus, including the Museum Studies Program; the National Council on Public History; the Center for American Studies; the Africana Studies Program; and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program. Those working toward a history major may choose one of three concentrations to pursue: U.S. history, European history, and African/Asian/Latin American history.
Employment of historians is projected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032, as fast as the average for all occupations. About 300 openings for historians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2023, the average starting salary reported for School of Liberal Arts graduates was $50,036, and the median salary was $47,840.
The national median annual salary for historians was $72,890 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
History majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
Education
Government
Historical administration
Historical preservation
International relations
Journalism
Library science
Museum studies
Law
Political science
Theology
Quick facts
Sample coursework
American history
Ancient Rome
Colonial America
History capstone
Nature of history
The Renaissance
Soviet culture
Possible careers
Marketing research
Museum educator
Nonprofit program coordinator
Paralegal*
Politician campaign worker
Project manager
Research analyst
*This career requires additional training or education.
We believe in our power and responsibility to help others. Each year, our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. Join us if you want to make a difference.
Choose among programs in over 50 countries and nearly 20 languages, including English. Both shorter and longer immersion programs are also available.
Your specialized support team
Arts, Sciences, and Technology
The AST cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in education, music, art and design, computing, social work, informatics, liberal arts, math, public safety, science, and technology.
Picture yourself crafting extraordinary guest experiences, creating inviting spaces, and elevating service to an art form. With a hospitality major, you'll master the skills needed to create unforgettable stays, oversee hotels and resorts, and manage food and beverage operations.
Business and Leadership
(BL)
Enterprising
Social
Conventional
At IU Indianapolis, you’ll be at the heart of an industry recognized nationwide for excellence. Indianapolis is a leader in hospitality, with 12 hotels within walking distance from campus, offering 4,700 rooms connected to the city’s award-winning convention facilities. Visitor spending in the state supports nearly 83,000 full-time jobs, making hospitality a cornerstone of our state's economy. Here, you'll have the chance to volunteer or work in the vibrant city, gaining hands-on experience and applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings. In addition to studying the hospitality and travel industry, you'll also complete a general business certificate as part of the degree. Internships are required, and opportunities include both local and out-of-state sites.
Employment of meeting, convention, and event planners is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 16,500 openings for meeting, convention, and event planners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook , 2024).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2023, the average starting salary reported for School of Health and Human Science graduates was $45,350, and the median salary was $43,7500.
The median annual salary for meeting, convention, and event planners was $56,920 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
Graduates in tourism, conventions, and event management often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
To join the mailing list for TCEM’s weekly newsletter, featuring “just-in-time” opportunities for involvement and work experiences, contact Amy Vaughan.
To prepare you for whatever comes next, our career experts are here to support your career development.
Your specialized support team
Business and Leadership
The BL cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in business, leadership, event management, hospitality, philanthropy, public and environmental policy, sports management, and tourism.
If you are a “people” person, this would be a good major for you. As a human resource manager, you will understand how to help people be the best they can be and to turn their performance into success for the organization. Your work will give you a say in organizational structure, change management, work design, and more.
Business and Leadership
(BL)
Social
Conventional
Enterprising
Think of HR managers as casting directors who help put the right people in the right job—and then develop the culture and compensation packages to keep them motivated. When you enter the human resource management field, you may travel the traditional route of human resources and labor relations—such as compliance with employment and labor laws, management development, wage and salary administration, organizational planning, and contract negotiation—or you may choose to jump into the newer areas in the behavioral sciences, tracking their implications for human resource management programs.
Employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 15,500 openings for human resources managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).
According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2023, the average starting salary reported for the human resource management B.S.B. graduates was $50,170, and the median salary was $50,000.
The national median annual salary for human resources managers was $136,350 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).
(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)
Human resources management majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:
Business administration (M.B.A.)
Human resources management
Labor relations
Quick facts
Sample coursework
Effective negotiations
Employee benefits
Ethics and leadership
Managing behavior in organizations
Occupational safety and health
Training, development, and salary administration
Possible careers
Consultant*
Generalist
Human resources manager
Labor relations specialist
Mediator*
Organizational developer*
Recruiter
*These careers require additional training or education.
Where could I work?
Chamber of commerce
Financial institutions
Hospitals
Health care facilities
Higher education
Indiana State Personnel Department
Admission requirements
Admission by certification Current IU Indianapolis students no longer have to submit an application to be admitted from University College to the Kelley School of Business Undergraduate Program. You'll be notified when the admission requirements are met. To certify into the Kelley School of Business from University College, you'll need to meet one of the sets of admission criteria. You'll be certified as soon as you meet either set of criteria.
Certification process
Be sure to list your major as pre-business, pre-accounting, pre-finance, pre-management, pre-HR management, pre-marketing, or pre-supply chain management with your University College advisor (international dimension and real estate co-majors may be chosen after certification).
You'll automatically be reviewed for certification each semester after the final grades post.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, the Kelley School of Business admissions team will reach out to you via your IU email account regarding your certification.
Certification must be accepted by the student for certification to be finalized.
Degree planning information Current program offerings may be found in your pre-business student Canvas site.
Your specialized support team
Business and Leadership
The BL cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in business, leadership, event management, hospitality, philanthropy, public and environmental policy, sports management, and tourism.
