With more than 80 different degree programs offered at The University of Memphis, some of the more popular ones may also be the most surprising.
The degree program with the highest student enrollment in the fall of 2004 was nursing, with more than 1,100 declared majors, according to university institutional research.
"The main appeal of our program to students is job security," said Marjorie Luttrell, associate dean of nursing. "Right now there is a major shortage of nurses in the Memphis area, this gives students a certain comfort to know that it will be fairly easy to get a job after graduation."
The University's nursing program has grown from more than 500 students to more than 1,100 since the fall of 2001.
"I am currently getting my second degree in nursing," said junior Reagon Patterson. "My first degree was in business and there is little job security with it. I feel I have so many more opportunities in nursing."
Integrative studies and The University College's individual studies are the second and third most popular majors.
"In our program, students receive a specific degree, but it covers several different disciplines and I think this is what draws students to us," said David Arant, associate dean of The University College program. "They also have the choice to design their own program, which must be approved by a faculty member, but it is their design and we have been really surprised by some of the stuff they come up with."
Some of the other more popular degrees include biology, accounting, art, and psychology.
"I chose psychology because it is a way to help people outside the medical field," said David Earnest, a first-year grad student. "The only downside is that it is hard to get a job in psychology with just an undergraduate degree, you have to go on to get a master's."
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, most degrees handed out nationally in the 2000-2001 academic year were in the field of business.
However, for the fall of 2004, The U of M had only about 400 declared business administration majors, showing a drop of more than 200.
Some of the least popular majors at The U of M include industrial and systems engineering, production operations management, and exercise and sports science.
"We offer a great program but it may not be something that many people have an interest in right now," said Christiana Little, academic service coordinator for health and sports science. "Our professors and staff are available and open to all students and their questions."
Currently, The U of M has more than 2,500 undecided students, which is the largest classification on campus.
