Top 10 Degrees of 2019

More than 10,300 San Diego State University graduates are eligible to walk across the stage at Viejas Arena during this year’s commencement weekend, May 17-19. These students will receive diplomas certifying their achievements in a wide range of fields. The university offers bachelor’s degrees in 95 areas, master’s degrees in 78 areas and doctorates in 22 areas.
For a third consecutive year, the top two majors among this year’s graduates are psychology and criminal justice.
The top 10 most popular degrees of 2019 are:

No. 10: B.A., Economics

These 194 graduates can analyze the costs and benefits of decisions made by individuals, businesses and governments. They will go on to a wide array of careers in government, law, business, journalism, education and nonprofits. They will also be able to provide consulting, analysis and counsel in any major job sector they choose.

No. 9: B.A., Liberal Studies Elementary Education

These 195 graduates are prepared to pursue a career that requires an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree or aspire to teach at the elementary or middle school level. They have the tools to teach regular education, special education or bilingual education while at SDSU.

No. 8: B.S., Business Administration - Accounting

The Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy will graduate 232 students into the workforce. Located the Fowler College of Business, the school prides itself on preparing graduates to take the Certified Public Accountant exam, qualifying them for careers in corporate or public accounting, as well as tax preparation, financial planning and auditing.

No. 7: B.S., Mechanical Engineering

The 244 graduates in this discipline have spent their college careers questioning how things work and developing new ideas and solutions to make processes and products more efficient. They are prepared to address a wide variety of problems requiring the integration of design and analytical skills.

No. 6: B.S., Kinesiology Pre-Physical Therapy

These 274 graduates are prepared for jobs in a broad range of medical, commercial and educational environments. They also meet the academic requirements necessary for entry to postgraduate education for physical therapy, chiropractic, and podiatry schools, such as SDSU’s physical therapy doctorate program.

No. 5: B.S., Business Administration - Marketing

The 281 graduates in this major are leaving SDSU with an understanding of buyer and seller behavior. They know how products and services are developed, priced, promoted, distributed and sold, which prepares them for careers as brand, market or sales managers, analysts and account executives.

No. 4: B.S., Business Administration - Finance

Access to resources from the Corky McMillin Center for Real Estate and the Center for the Study of Personal Financial Planning prepared these 307 graduates for career opportunities with business and nonprofit organizations, financial management, protection of assets, financial and estate planning along with wealth management and real estate development.

No. 3: B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies 

These 316 graduates will leave SDSU with a custom degree they designed with guidance from educational advisers. This degree allows students to combine classes from three different departments and is ideal for students whose career goals or academic interests are not fully addressed by an existing major or major/minor pattern at SDSU.

No. 2: B.S., Criminal Justice

Prepared for careers in federal, state and local law enforcement, these 375 graduates may work in probation, parole, corrections and other social service agencies. Through SDSU’s criminal justice program, these students have gained an in-depth knowledge of all facets of crime, delinquency and crime control, as well as a foundation for critical, balanced, responsible and effective administrative responses.

No. 1: B.A., Psychology 

The SDSU Department of Psychology is sending 418 SDSU graduates into the workforce. These students studied human behavior and mental processes and participated in hands-on field experiences, internships and undergraduate research. They can pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including law enforcement, scientific research, government agencies and health care.
For more information on SDSU’s commencement ceremonies, visit the SDSU Commencement website.