Academic Tour: Naval Academy Majors

When you think of the United States Naval Academy, you probably picture uniforms, marching formations, or football games on crisp fall Saturdays. But behind all that precision and pageantry lies a rigorous academic program designed to produce some of the brightest leaders in the country. And while the Academy dates back to 1845, the concept of Naval Academy majors is actually a relatively new development in its long history.

A Quick Look Back

For more than a century, midshipmen earned a Bachelor of Science degree without choosing an area of concentration. That changed in 1969, when the Academy required the Class of 1972 to select a major in order to graduate. The pioneering majors - awarded to members of the Class of 1969 - were in engineering: Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Naval, and Systems Engineering.

Since then, the list of USNA majors has expanded dramatically, reflecting the Navy and Marine Corps’ growing need for technically skilled leaders. Today, there are 26 majors and several minors available, all designed to build an officer corps proficient in scientific inquiry, logical reasoning, and problem solving.

What Are the Naval Academy Majors?

While the Academy remains heavily focused on STEM, students can also dive into humanities and social sciences. While major programs may vary somewhat from one class year to the next, the USNA currently offers the following lineup of degrees:

Engineering & Science Majors: Aerospace+, Mechanical+, Electrical+, Nuclear+, Ocean*+, General+, Naval Architecture & Marine*+, Robotics and Control Engineering*+, Chemistry+, Computer Engineering+, Computer Science+, Cyber Operations+, Data Science+, Operations Research+, Mathematics*+, Oceanography*+, General Science+, Physics+
Humanities & Social Sciences: English*, History*, Political Science*, Foreign Area Studies.
Language & Cultural Studies: Arabic#, Chinese#
Economics & Related Fields: Quantitative Economics*+, Mathematics with Economics+#

And for those with a global outlook, minors are available in French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, and Chinese.

Programs with an asterisk (*) offer an honors track, while those with a plus sign (+) are classified as STEM and those with a hashtag (#) aren’t offered to the Class of 2028 [or later].

How Do Midshipmen Pick Their Major at USNA?

Much like students at civilian colleges, midshipmen declare their majors after their plebe (freshman) year. Advisors help them weigh personal interests, academic strengths, and career goals before committing to a path. By second year, they begin coursework tailored to their chosen field.

That said, there’s one big difference between the Academy and other schools: the needs of the Naval Service always come first. Starting with the Class of 2013 and expanding to NROTC college programs, at least 65 percent of graduates commissioning into the Navy are required to hold STEM degrees. This ensures the fleet is ready for the technological challenges of modern warfare.

Do Midshipmen Have Core Courses?

Regardless of their major, all midshipmen complete a demanding core curriculum. This includes coursework in engineering and weapons, mathematics and science, leadership education and development, humanities and social sciences, and seamanship and navigation. The core is intentionally broad, designed to produce well-rounded officers ready to lead in any warfare community, whether they end up piloting jets, serving on submarines, or leading Marines on the ground.

So, while a political science major and a nuclear engineering major may choose different electives, they’ll both graduate with the same rigorous foundation.

Accreditation Status

Every program at the Naval Academy is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Specialized accreditations add even more weight:

ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC): Aerospace, Computer, Electrical, General, Mechanical, Naval Architecture and Marine, Nuclear, Ocean, and Robotics and Control Engineering
ABET Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC): Computer Science, Cyber Operations*, and Information Technology
American Chemical Society: Chemistry

*The Cyber Operations program has been granted National Security Agency (NSA) designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) and Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).

These accreditations highlight not only the rigor of Naval Academy degrees but also their alignment with national standards. Combine that with the fact that the Naval Academy acceptance rate hovers near eight percent and it’s easy to see why USNA consistently ranks as one of the top public schools in the country.

Graduating With a Degree and a Purpose

Graduating from the Naval Academy is about more than earning a degree: it’s about fulfilling a mission. All graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree, whether they commission into the Navy or Marine Corps, and regardless of their chosen major. Those in the top 10 percent of their class graduate “with distinction,” and those completing honors programs add another feather to their cover by graduating “with honors.”

It all culminates in Commissioning Week each May, where graduates toss their hats skyward in celebration before stepping into leadership roles as Navy ensigns or Marine Corps second lieutenants.

See It for Yourself

The story of USNA majors is best appreciated in person. That’s why we encourage visitors to experience a USNA walking tour or an Admissions Tour. These tours bring the journey to life, giving you a firsthand look at what it means to pursue a world-class education at the Naval Academy. Whether you’re a prospective student, a proud parent, or simply a curious visitor to Annapolis, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of the Academy’s unique blend of tradition, challenge, and purpose. We welcome you aboard!

On The Yard