What Major Is UCLA Known For? 5 Programs and Why They Stand Out

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is the #1 public school in the US thanks to its stellar academics, research and innovation, and prestigious faculty members. But you might be wondering: out of everything that boosts its reputation, what major is UCLA known for?

In this article, we’ll list five majors that UCLA is known for and discuss what makes them so notable. We’ll talk a bit about choosing majors at the school.

• Economics at UCLA
• Psychology at UCLA
• Sociology at UCLA
• Political Science at UCLA
• Biology at UCLA
• Choosing a Major at UCLA
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Economics at UCLA

UCLA’s economics department is widely regarded as one of the strongest in the nation, ranking 12th among other economics schools.

UCLA supports hands-on experience for economics students. Through the Economics Department’s Alumni Career Engagement programs, you can intern at top companies and agencies—such as Bain & Company, BCG, Facebook, Google, Goldman Sachs, and PIMCO.

UCLA is known for this major since it actually offers three distinct undergraduate programs related to Economics, each designed to cater to different academic interests and career aspirations:

• B.A. Economics. This is the most traditional and broad economics major, providing a comprehensive understanding of economic theories, principles, and models, and their application to real-world issues. The program is ideal if you’re interested in a broad understanding of economic principles. Your career paths include economic analysis, policy development, government, research, or further graduate studies in related social sciences.
• B.A. Business Economics. This major offers a strong foundation in economics with a distinct business orientation, combining economic theory with an understanding of business operations and principles, including accounting and management. The program prepares you for careers in business, finance, and related fields, or for graduate studies in business or law. The major provides a more applied perspective than the pure B.A. Economics.
• B.S. Mathematics/Economics. This more mathematically intensive program housed within the Mathematics Department emphasizes the quantitative tools and theoretical frameworks that support modern economic analysis. The major prepares you for graduate studies in economics, financial engineering, data science, actuarial science, and other research-oriented roles in related industries.

Each program requires specific prerequisite courses and GPA requirements for admission. While there’s some overlap, each major mostly leads to different career paths.

You should also know that all three majors are “impacted,” meaning there are specific prerequisite courses and GPA requirements to be admitted to the major. You’ll typically start as a “pre-major” before declaring your major.

Psychology at UCLA

The Psychology Department at UCLA is consistently among the nation’s best, currently ranking 3rd in the US.

UCLA is known for this major since a huge part of it is research, and there are many ways undergraduates can get involved:

• Enroll in research-oriented courses. You’ll already have plenty of chances to be involved in research in the curriculum with subjects like Psychology 196A/B: Research Assistantship in Psychology/Cognitive Science and Psych 99: Student Research Program.
• Join a research lab. There are more research opportunities outside of classes, mainly by contacting faculty members or lab managers involved in work you’re interested in.
• Participate in structured research programs. You can work on your own research as well! The Undergraduate Research Center offers various programs and resources for undergraduate researchers across all disciplines, including psychology.

Each spring, UCLA holds a Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference (PURC) where you can present your projects in poster sessions or “data blitz” (short oral presentations), making it a great opportunity to share your work and gain presentation experience.

The Department of Psychology houses many centers and programs that contribute to research, training, and community engagement. Some prominent examples are:

• Fernald Child Study Center. This center houses the Infant Development Program (IDP) laboratory school that combines childcare with research on early childhood development. This unique setting lets faculty and graduate students conduct observational and experimental research on cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in a naturalistic setting.
• Minority Mental Health Training Program. This program is dedicated to training mental health professionals, particularly those from underrepresented minority groups, to address the unique mental health needs of diverse populations.
• BRITE Center for Science, Research and Policy. The BRITE (Building Research to Improve Teaching and Education) Center aims to translate psychological science into effective policy and practice, particularly concerning mental health disparities and health equity.

Sociology at UCLA

UCLA’s Sociology program is another standout, ranking 6th in the country. The department is known for its engagement with pressing social issues, especially those manifested and amplified within the context of a global city like Los Angeles.

In fact, faculty members actually use LA as a “living laboratory,” examining themes such as:

• Social inequality and stratification
• Race, ethnicity, and migration
• Urbanization and global processes
• Culture and media
• Health and environment
• Social movements and political sociology

As a sociology undergrad, you’ll also have opportunities for meaningful research experiences both in and out of the classroom. 

For instance, SRP 99 lets you work one-on-one with a faculty member on their research projects, making it a great way to get an initial introduction to research methods and the research process. You can even decide to take the departmental honors program, which offers an opportunity to conduct an in-depth, year-long research project culminating in a senior honors thesis.

You can also try for research assistant positions by contacting faculty members whose research interests align with your own.

UCLA is known for sociology since it offers these research experiences that can help you develop critical thinking and analytical skills and prepare you for graduate school or various professional careers in different sectors like:

• Human services and the non-profit sector
• Government and public sector
• Business and corporate world
• Research and academia
• Education

Political Science at UCLA

UCLA’s Political Science department ranks 12th in the US, offering a blend of scholarship and real-world engagement.

One of the biggest reasons UCLA is known for this major is because of the Center for American Politics and Public Policy’s Quarter in Washington, D.C. program.

If you’re selected, you’ll spend time in D.C., undertaking internships in congressional offices, federal agencies, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and advocacy groups. This lets you gain firsthand experience in policymaking, legislative processes, and political advocacy. The program also includes relevant coursework and networking opportunities with alumni and professionals.

If you prefer to stay on campus, the departmental honors program involves conducting an independent, in-depth research project under the close supervision of a faculty member. Topics often involve current political events, policy challenges, or comparative political systems.

Another option is UCLA Luskin’s Global Public Affairs program, which offers certificate tracks in international policy, which you can take to prepare for careers in diplomacy or global NGOs. 

You can also fulfill capstone requirements through the Community Engagement and Social Change (CESC) minor, which has a two-quarter capstone sequence focused on community-engaged research. This minor explicitly focuses on strategies for social change through sustained engagement.

UCLA is also known for this major thanks to the Political Science faculty, which is also active in civic-oriented projects. For example, the UCLA Voting Rights Project uses social science and legal research to protect voting access. As an undergraduate, you can learn about election law and even help in community outreach through such initiatives.

Biology at UCLA

The biology program at UCLA ranks 17th in the country. UCLA is known for this major because of its depth and breadth. In fact, biology education spans several departments:

• Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Physiological Science
• Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics

There are also special majors like neuroscience and human biology.

UCLA is known for its biology major also because of the cutting-edge research infrastructure it conducts research in: Some examples are:

• Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences. This institute aims to support research, training, and education that harnesses “Big Data” in the biosciences. It emphasizes quantitative reasoning, algorithmic development, and computational methods to address challenges and opportunities presented by increasingly data-rich biological and biomedical research.
• UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center. This center is dedicated to fostering innovation, excellence, and ethical standards in stem cell research, aiming to translate groundbreaking stem cell discoveries from the laboratory into clinical therapies and regenerative medicine.
• UCLA Brain Research Institute. This institute is one of the oldest and largest neuroscience research collectives in the United States, acting as a hub for education, outreach, and research collaborations among scientists, engineers, and clinicians aiming to understand the healthy and diseased brain.

The biology major at UCLA is known for its ability to give a broad and modern biology education, which includes opportunities to experience hands-on lab work in state-of-the-art facilities.

Choosing a Major at UCLA

UCLA is known for many majors, but if you’re still not completely sure what path you want to take, choosing a program can be both exciting and confusing with its at least 130 undergraduate majors. In general, choosing a major is a mix of planning, exploration, and reflection.

When applying to UCLA, you can already declare a major or apply as undeclared—neither of which will affect your chances of being accepted. However, you’ll need to prepare supplemental applications if you choose a program in these professional schools:

• Herb Alpert School of Music
• School of the Arts and Architecture
• School of Nursing
• School of Theater, Film and Television

If you’re admitted as an undeclared, you can explore a variety of subjects through GE courses. You might even change your mind about declaring a particular program. For example, you might enter UCLA thinking of majoring in Political Science, then decide to switch to Sociology after taking a social inequality course.

However, your career goals should also matter. So, if you’re set on medicine, a Biology or Neuroscience major would be good. Or, if you’re thinking of getting into public service or law, UCLA is known for its Political Science or Sociology majors.

UCLA also supports interdisciplinary study, so you can add minors in related or unrelated fields or a double major, letting you tailor your education to your interests.

Keep in mind that UCLA has what’s called “impacted majors”—which are programs where student demand significantly exceeds the department’s capacity. Examples often include Computer Science, Business Economics, Communication, and Nursing.

Applying to an impacted major might not affect initial admission, but getting into the major once you’re at UCLA usually requires meeting specific pre-major coursework and GPA requirements, which can be highly competitive. If you’re interested in an impacted major, you should plan your courses carefully and maintain a high GPA from your first quarter.

Before declaring a major, turn to UCLA’s advising services, College Academic Counselors, departmental advisors, and peer mentors to help you weigh your options. You can also talk to faculty, attend department info sessions, or join student groups tied to specific majors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is UCLA a good school?

Yes, UCLA is a good school, consistently ranking first among the top public universities nationally. The institution is known for its rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, diverse student body, and lively campus life.

2. What majors does UCLA offer?

UCLA offers over 130 undergraduate majors across its College of Letters and Science (including humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences) and professional schools like Engineering, Arts and Architecture, Music, Nursing, and Theater, Film, and Television.

3. What majors is UCLA best known for?

Five majors that UCLA is known for are Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, and Biology.

4. What’s the easiest major to get into UCLA?

If we only look at the admit rate of undergraduate programs, the easiest major to get into UCLA would be Ethnomusicology with 72%.

Takeaways

• Some of the majors that UCLA is known for are economics, psychology, sociology, political science, and biology, which reflect the strong faculty, curriculum, and research in each program.
• When applying to UCLA, you can already declare a major or enter undeclared. However, if you plan to declare an impacted major, you should plan your courses well and maintain a high GPA to be able to get into the program you want.
• Do you want to be part of the UCLA community? A private consultant can help improve your college application for better chances of getting admitted into the school.