AP Courses for Majors and Careers

Thinking about which AP^® courses to take next school year? Consider what major you want to pursue in college and what potential career you’d like to have. Not sure about what potential majors or careers are right for you? Connect AP to majors and careers on our website, or start here.

Based on potential majors and careers, here are great AP courses to consider.

Think about the environment you’re in right now. Unless you’re outdoors, an architect has likely designed this building or structure. Architects create designs and prepare plans that show a structure’s appearance and provide instructions on how it should be built. Courses like AP Precalculus, AP Calculus AB and BC, AP 2-D Art and Design, and AP 3-D Art and Design can help you explore topics that architects may need in their line of work. 

Your experiences in the classroom now may be influencing your future career path. Maybe you’re inspired by your great teachers or simply love the art of teaching and learning. With a career in teaching, you'll not only become an expert in certain content areas but also get to share that knowledge and have an enormous impact by passing on those skills. In courses such as AP Seminar, AP Psychology, AP English Language and Composition, and AP Research, you’ll explore topics and develop skills that are essential in the teaching profession.

Imagine a world without art—no paintings, no sketches, no statues in the parks. A world without art would be pretty empty, dull, and cold. As an artist, you can express yourself through your work across various mediums, including digital graphic design, photography, and advertising. Continue your passion for art by exploring relevant topics in courses such as AP Computer Science Principles, AP Art and Design, AP Art History, and AP Psychology.

The field of engineering has many facets, but all engineers use science and math to solve problems. Engineers are involved in planning, designing, and building solutions to solve specific needs. In AP courses like AP Precalculus, AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Physics C: Mechanics, and AP Environmental Science, you’ll be exposed to subject matter that’s used in engineering-related careers.

If you’re considering becoming a lawyer, there are a number of different areas of law that you could practice. Some common law practices include banking and finance, corporate, criminal, employment, family, media, and real estate. Explore concepts related to this career in courses like AP Seminar, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Comparative Government and Politics, and AP U.S. History.

Web designers combine art skills with business savvy to create the structure and “look and feel” of websites that are both eye pleasing and user friendly. Courses such as AP Computer Science Principles, AP Psychology, AP 2-D Art and Design, and AP Computer Science A will help you explore concepts related to this field.

Real estate brokers are certified professionals who oversee brokerage firms or work independently. Often brokers are involved in many of the same activities as real estate agents, such as working with clients to search for, or list, properties and negotiating transactions. Courses like AP Seminar, AP Microeconomics, AP Psychology, and AP Human Geography present topics that may be helpful to those who are interested in this career.

Financial analysts help businesses and other organizations come up with investment strategies to meet their financial goals. As an analyst, your main responsibility will be spotting market trends and keeping tabs on up-and-coming companies. You’ll also make predictions about the economic health of various industries. Why? So you can help businesses make good investment decisions. Explore related concepts in courses such as AP Statistics, AP Precalculus, AP Macroeconomics, and AP U.S. Government and Politics.

What to do next:

• Dive deeper into potential career paths. Check out Career Search. It’s an ideal way to explore options and discover how AP courses can lead to majors and careers that align with your interests. 
• Check out your PSAT/NMSQT® or SAT® score report to receive a Career Insights Snapshot.  It’s a list of growing careers in your state that need skills like yours.
• Talk to your counselor about how you can enroll in courses for the upcoming school year. This conversation starter will help you discuss AP courses with your counselor.