The traditional degrees like biology, psychology, business administration and more are still a popular choice for those looking to pursue higher education. But, many potential students are not enamoured with the prospect of four years of essays, memorization and stale lectures. Those seeking an offbeat career may be looking for a program that can lead to an exciting and in-demand career.
So, what are some of the coolest and wildest creative majors that are in industries that are exploding due to new markets, culture shifts and technology?
1. Ethical Hacking
These specialized programs are offered at the University of Maryland Global Campus, Dakota State University and worldwide. Students learn how to infiltrate systems to identify weaknesses to improve them. This involves studying networks, cryptography, operating systems, and the mindset of hackers.
The practical elements of the program take place in capture-the-flag labs and legal sandboxes. This is creative-problem solving at a fast pace to chain small oversights into an exploit. You will learn how to reverse engineer malware to write patches to keep systems safe.
For those that enjoy puzzles, this may be the ideal career and it’s an in-demand role. Some of the positions advertised regularly are: Penetration Tester, Threat Hunter, Incident Responder, Red-Team Operator, Vulnerability Analyst, Cloud Security Architect, Application Security Engineer, and more.
There is a shortage of cybersecurity talent and a comprehensive course will cover: reverse engineering, threat modeling, malware analysis, digital forensics, web app security, secure coding, cloud and container security, privacy engineering and risk and compliance.
2. Theme Park Engineering and Design
This is offered at the University of Central Florida, California State University, Fullerton and the Savannah College of Art and Design. Students will learn how to combine storytelling, lighting, sounds, mechanical engineering and architecture to make exciting theme park rides. This creates experiences that people travel around the world to enjoy.
There is a lot to learn including: ride layout mockups, safety standards, guest flow plans, queue layouts and more. Plus there is the opportunity to work on more than roller coasters. The same skills can be applied to location-based VR, immersive theater, museums, pop-up installations and more.
Some of the in-demand roles are: Concept Artist, Ride Show Systems Coordinator, Environment and Set Designer, Escape Room and Live-Game Creator, Location-Based VR Producer, Museum Exhibit Lead, Attraction and Experience Designer and more. Potential employers can range from design consultancies to theme parks and creatives are hired if they can blend a narrative with logistics.
A solid course in this field will include animatronics fundamentals, CAD for attractions, IP development, creative pitching, lighting and projection, show control basics, scenic fabrication, and human factors and safety.
3. Adventure Education
Courses in this field are on offer at Prescott College, Green Mountain College and Plymouth State University. Students spend a lot of time outdoors rock climbing, kayaking, leading wilderness trips and more. Learning these skills alongside environmental stewardship, risk management, teaching leadership, and the psychology of challenge are all part of this fascinating program.
This builds skills and confidence that can translate to in-demand roles, such as: Expedition Leader, Park Interpreter, Eco-Tourism Planner, Wilderness Therapy Field Guide, Outdoor Program Director and Corporate Team Development Coach.
The best programs cover land ethics, program design and evolution, backcountry travel, environmental science, natural history, adaptive equipment design and accessibility, and the all important rescue and safety.
4. Puppetry
This is offered at the University of Central Lancashire, the University of Connecticut and select arts programs. Puppetry is one of the oldest forms of entertainment and is paired with one of the earliest form of human technology. A puppet is a moving sculpture and the best ones can impart and instill a wide range of emotions to the viewer.
Students will learn about puppet fabrication using traditional carved wood to fabric and foam, and the latest 3D-printed methods. Giving these materials life is a strange and wonderful experience and you may be surprised to learn that puppetry is in-demand in TV, movies, museums, and therapy.
The potential roles for puppeteers include: Puppeteer, Stop-Motion Animator, Therapeutic Arts Facilitator, Children’s Media Creator, Museum Educator and Creature-Shop Fabricator. There is a growing hunger for authentic live performances and practical effects that don’t rely on AI and a green screen.
The best courses include multi-operator performance, shadow, rod hand styles, dramaturgy, fabrication techniques, movement and voice, touring and production, and digital compositing for practical effects.
5. Astrobiology
This program is offered at Arizona State University, the University of Washington and Penn State. This is the study of life in the universe, from the definition of life to the search for conditions that could play host to it.
This encompasses a variety of disciplines, such as: biology, chemistry, astronomy and geology. The truly big questions are “How did life begin here on Earth?” and “How would microbes and other forms of life form elsewhere in the universe?”. We can only study the most distant planetary bodies using light and discovering which of these planets could be habitable is a huge challenge.
This program can translate in in-demand roles including: Data Analyst (for telescope teams), Museum or Space Center Educator, Policy Advisor (for ethics and exploration), Planetary Science Researcher, Mission Science Communicator and Lab Manager (for extremophile studies).
The best courses will include: origin-of-life chemistry, planetary geology, extremophile microbiology, spectroscopy, robotics and mission design, ethics of exploration, statistics for rare signals and data pipelines for observatories.
6. Fermentation Sciences
This is offered at Appalachian State University, UC Davis and Colorado State University. These programs study the chemistry and microbiology of beer, wine, cheese, cider, soy sauce, kombucha and other foods and drinks.
Students can expect to spend time in labs with stainless-steel tanks where they will learn about the wonders of yeast and fermentation. There are in-demand roles to consider, such as: Brewmaster, Sensory Analyst, Distillery Production, Quality Assurance Manager, Cellar Lead, Product Developer and Fermentation R&D.
The best programs include recipe development, microbiology, sensory sciences, biochemistry, packaging, process engineering, supply chains, tasting panel design, sanitation and safety, and recipe compliance.
7. Comic Art & Graphic Storytelling
These programs are offered at the California College of the Arts, the Savannah College of Art and Design and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Comics, and by extension graphic novels, are a visual medium that can create a compelling reading experience. This has been declining in popularity in the west in recent years, but the soaring success of Japanese Manga demonstrates that it may be time for a renaissance.
Students will learn how to craft a script, use pencils, inks, lettering and colors to make their stories leap off the pages. The best stories have action clarity, micro-acting for the subjects, and excellent pacing to keep the reader engaged.
Comics can feed into other media, such as: animation, games, advertising and films. This can translate into in-demand work, such as: Storyboard Artist, Concept Artist, Art Director, Layout Editor, Graphic Novelist and Illustrator.
The best programs include narrative design, publication workflows, printmaking, zine culture, digital tools, life drawing, business for freelancers, collaboration, and sequential art.
8. Meme Studies and Digital Culture
This is not typically offered as a standalone degree, but there are courses in place at NYU, Northwestern and UC Berkeley. Certain schools will fold this program into their digital media or communications majors.
The internet is a fascinating space and the culture moves at a rapid pace. In meme studies the student will learn about the mix of inside jokes, irony and commentary that form into an evolving archive. They will learn how memes spread to delight, organize, protest or even confuse. This is a compelling mix of media studies, semiotics and anthropology that works like a language.
This can translate in a variety of careers, such as: Brand Voice and Content Designer, Trend Analyst, Community Lead, Social Strategist and Cultural Insights Researcher. Many organizations are keen to hire professionals that can read and understand the internet. The best courses include data storytelling, visual rhetoric, ethics of moderation and attention, platform ecosystems, digital ethnography, participatory culture, political communication and creator driven economies.
9. Adventure Filmmaking
This is offered at Western Colorado University and select niche programs at other institutions. This program will train the student in how to plan a filmmaking trip to capture stories in a wide variety of challenging conditions, such as: deserts, jungle, snow, surf and more. Shooting on boats, ropes and even underwater can all be used to tell a compelling story set in a unique landscape. The narrative arc will need to be storyboarded around weather windows and other challenges to meet a deadline.
This can translate in a number of in-demand roles, such as: Field Producer, Documentary DP, Conversation Storyteller, Drone Operator, Editor for Outdoor Brands and Branded Content Creator. Many streaming platforms, gear companies and NGOs are searching for people that can deliver authentic, compelling and high-stakes stories for their audience.
The best programs will cover: fundraising and pitching, drone operations, camera and audio kits, narrative structure, field safety, permissions and ethics, distribution, and color and sound design.
10. Esports Management
This program is offered at Staffordshire University, Ohio State University and Shenandoah University. Arenas can now sellout for video game competitions and esports programs blend together, business development, coaching theory, event production, sponsorship negotiation and player wellness support.
The student will learn how esports leagues are run and how events are broadcast to the public. This can translate into in-demand roles such as: Broadcast and Relay Operator, Venue Operations, Team Manager, Tournament Producer, Data Analyst for Performance and Partnership Manager.
The best courses will cover shoutcasting and production, brand partnerships, community moderation, streaming tech, IP and licensing basis, league governance, content strategy, sport psychology and event logistics.
11. Surf Science and Technology
This program is offered at Chaminade University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. It’s a compelling mix of sports science, product design and coastal ecology to study waves and those that ride them.
Students will learn about surfboard materials, coaching techniques, lifesaving, industry economics and hydrodynamics. Successful candidates can find work in a wide variety of in-demand roles, such as: Board Shaper, Materials Specialist, Wave-Pool Operations, Coastal Conservation Educator, Surf Coach, Program Director, Retail and Brand Products and Adventure Tourism Planner.
These best programs include materials science, ocean safety and rescue, coaching pedagogy, biomechanics, water formation and forecasting, community engagement, the business of surf and coastal management.
12. Sustainable Fashion and Materials Innovation
This is offered at Ithaca College and the University of Texas at Austin with programs the merge fashion and the lifecycle of materials. Students will study labor ethics, supply chains, fresh materials, finishes and fibers to create beautiful and environmentally-conscious apparel.
The focus on circular systems will prepare graduates for a range of in-demand roles, such as: Rental and Resale Platform Designer, Sustainability Analyst, Zero-Waste Pattern Maker, Materials R&D, Brand Analyst and Apparel Designer.
The best programs include life-cycle assessment (LCA), digital patterning, dyeing and finishing impacts, textile science, zero-waste drape, repair and manufacturing workflows, extended producer responsibility and supply-chain transparency.
13. Toy Design
This is on offer at the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Columbus College of Art and Design and the Otis College of Art and Design. A well designed toy is a fun blend of child development, clever industrial design and material science. An object that is designed for play can present a challenge even for adults that are still a kid-at-heart.
Students will learn how to prototype toy ideas, make the toys “sticky” to encourage play and the importance of safety and durability.
Graduates can fill a variety of in-demand roles, such as: Toy and Game Designer, STEM Kit Designer, Play Researcher, Children’s Media Art Director, Packaging and Retail Experience Designer and Product Developer.
The best programs will include child psychology, play testing, brand and packaging, licensing, sustainability, soft goods, mechanisms, and sketching and CAD.
14. Sound Design and Sonic Branding
This is offered at the Brooklyn College, Academy of Art University, the Fashion Institute of Technology and the University of Montana. Students will learn about sound design for games, apps, movies and other forms of entertainment.
Effective sound design can provide subtle cues on where to place our attention. Frequencies and rhythm can prompt us to click, toggle and perform other actions and like all great designs it’s hard to quantify unless it’s missing.
This program can lead to a wide variety of rewarding roles, such as: UX Sound Designer, Game Audio Designer, Post-Production Sound Editor, Podcast Producers, Mix Engineer, Field Recordist and Sonic Brand Strategist. With the ever expanding audio economy this is an in-demand field with games, vocal interfaces, streaming and more to explore.
The best programs should include: synthesis and sampling, mixing and mastering, interactive audio middleware, dialog editing, foley, acoustics for spaces, branding and identity, psychoacoustics and field recording.
15. Immersive Media and XR Design
This is offered at Sacred Heart University, the University of Maryland, the University of Oregon and Arizona State University. An XR designer creates audio spaces using spatial audio, embodied UX, interaction design and real-time engines. This creates the 3D surround-sound effect for software, theater, movies and other forms of media.
Graduates will find that these programs can translate into a variety of in-demand roles, such as: XR Product Designer, Volumetric Capture Producer, Training Simulation Designer, Technical Artist, Real-Time 3D Generalist and Virtual Production Crew.
The ideal course will cover: spatial mapping, Unity/Unreal for XR, gesture and controller input, shaders and optimization, narrative design, UX research for head-mounted displays, accessibility in 3D spaces and performance capture.
Signs You’re Built for a Creative Major
| If You’re the Type Who… | What That Says About You | Career Energy It Unlocks | Real-Life Creative Flex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turns doodles into full sketchbooks during class | You thrive on visual storytelling | Roles where aesthetics matter | Designing branding for indie brands |
| Can’t stop remixing playlists, memes, or edits | You think in rhythms and patterns | Work tied to media, sound, or culture | Producing short-form content that blows up |
| Writes fanfic or world-builds for fun | You’re wired for narrative + imagination | Careers in storytelling or concept creation | Building campaigns that feel like mini-movies |
| Obsesses over color palettes and vibes | You’re detail-obsessed with mood and tone | Creative industries that shape emotions | Crafting the “look” of a whole brand or project |
| Hacks everyday problems into clever DIYs | You’re naturally innovative | Paths that reward idea generation | Turning random ideas into prototypes that work |
| Can binge a topic for hours without noticing time | You’re driven by passion and curiosity | Projects needing deep focus + obsession | Becoming the go-to creative for niche expertise |
How to Choose a “Creative Brain” Major
To make one of these programs work for you and your future career, there are three useful tips to follow.
Triangulate
If you’re intrigued by two or three of these programs, perhaps you look at the areas where they overlap. Certain elements of the sustainable fashion program intersect with fermentation for those that want to work with dyes. Maybe you want to create interactive comic-art installations that use XR sound? The sky’s the limit if you have the time and resources to commit to the program(s).
Evaluate
For an outsider, the pursuit of creative work can be hard to fathom and the key to success often lies in the attention that you can bring to your efforts. If you can demonstrate value, sell tickets, avoid harmful emissions or some other valuable metric people will seek you out.
Interact
Volunteer, enter design jams, join some clubs, publish a zine, open source your code, create micro-projects that showcase your talents. This will help you to build a network of people to collaborate with and you will gain a reputation as someone that can deliver.
What’s Your Next Move?
The evolution of higher education continues and we now have access to a wider variety of programs that suit the needs of creatives. If you can imagine it, there’s probably a degree out there for you to find. An unusual degree may seem like a risk, but there are plenty of in-demand roles to fill for those that have the talent and dedication to succeed.
