Academic Focus Areas
This framework allows UNO to provide coherence to our academic offerings and advising so that students can pursue their academic and professional goals while staying on-track for graduation.
UNO's Five Academic Focus Areas
Not Sure Where to Start? Academic Focus Areas Can Help.
You may be like many UNO students who arrive at college and haven’t quite decided on a major. You will be part of a dynamic Exploratory Studies learning community where you will work with specially trained advisors and faculty to help you identify relevant majors and careers related to broad Academic Focus Areas of interest.
This will allow you to explore various major options while still fulfilling academic requirements so you can graduate more quickly and save money.
Academic Focus Areas help students who have already selected their majors.
Academic Focus Areas support students who are confident in their major by identifying supplemental courses, minors, or concentrations related to their interests. Academic Focus Areas provide students with options for an academic program that still aligns with their interests should they need to switch majors for any reason.
Courses students can take in an Academic Focus Area
Each Academic Focus Area includes a three-semester academic plan consisting of:
- A focused selection of relevant general education courses
- Options for required courses in fundamental academic skill areas
- Key milestones and recommendations for staying on their academic path
This will allow students to still receive guidance as they explore their academic options. Students can still take any general education course that they find interesting and relevant.
Academic Focus Areas vs course suggestions from academic advisors
Academic Focus Areas supplement the work already being done by academic advisors by providing a common language that can also help the broader campus community engage with students and support their academic and professional journey through UNO.
Academic Focus Areas are focused on very broad academic and professional interests and therefore are intentionally interdisciplinary and cross-college.
UNO's Five Academic Focus Areas
UNO has five Academic Focus Areas that expose students to introductory coursework, concepts, ideas, and professional skills within broadly related, interdisciplinary fields of study.
Through advising, faculty guidance, and programmatic support, students are encouraged to cultivate their strengths, interests, and professional goals in pursuit of selecting a major program of study.
Select a Focus Area below to see the majors associated with it.
Public Service, Healthcare, and Helping Professions
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Culture, Ethnicity, and Social Justice
Creative Production and Performing Arts