Proceed With Caution: The Christians Guide to College Majors

By Ellen Pope

Learn common hazards Christians face in undergraduate majors in this simple easy to understand format. Each major is categorized as ideological, technical, or core, followed by a summary of issues concerning to Christians, and recommendations for alternative options where available.  

As a companion to the original "Rethinking College: When Secular University And The Christian Student Are Incompatible," my goal is to fill the gaps between what academics and school counselors are being trained to say, and what students actually need to hear. Let this book help guide the way.

Whether you're a student, parent, guardian, pastor, or friend, this book will help you assess the options available in higher education. With overviews, alternatives, watch words, links and resources where available, "Proceed With Caution" is the indispensable Christian resource for navigating your prospective majors.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ellen Pope
• Release date: Oct 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386796770

Ellen Pope

Ellen Pope is a writer, caregiver, environmental steward, children's illustrator, autoimmune GPA survivor, and thankful for her savior Jesus Christ. Find her art at WatercolorMonikers.wordpress.com or Facebook.com/watercolormonikers. In her spare time she enjoys volunteering for the CASA program to protect the rights and safety of vulnerable children. For book updates, free downloads, and blog posts visit epopebooks.com

Book preview

Proceed With Caution: A Christian’s Guide To College Majors

First Edition

Copyright © 2017 by Ellen Pope

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

ISBN-13: 978-1975846978

ISBN-10: 1975846974

1. Higher Education 2. Christianity

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author.

SCRIPTURE: All Scripture is taken from the King James Version, a public domain work.

TERMS and DISCLAIMER:

This book is not intended as a substitute for professional counseling. While I have taken every precaution to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any mistakes, errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within this book, or through any linked page. Use at your own risk. Some devices may not properly read the formatting of this ebook. Tables, numbering, and fonts may not display properly across all devices.

If you find an error, have a comment, suggestion, contribution, or question please email [e-mail] and I’ll be happy to hear from you!

LINKED MEDIA: In accordance with the Amazon policy, ebook versions contain no affiliate links. All links are for informational purposes only. This author is not responsible for the content within any linked site. Users assume all responsibility for their clicks.

About This Guide 

Answering The Call 

Advice For Christian Schools 

Key Features Of This Book 

Now without further ado...  

A Guide To Popular College Majors 

Agriculture, Horticulture, Aquaculture, Animal Science 

Anthropology, Archeology, and Related Sciences 

Architecture 

Art 

Astronomy 

Atmospheric and Meteorological Science, Climatology 

Biology and Subfields, Micro-Biology, Zoology, Genetics 

Business, Management, Human Resource, Hospitality, Recreation Management 

Chemistry 

Christian Psychology, Counseling 

Classical Studies 

Communications 

Computer Science, Robotics, Technology, Game Development, Cyber Security 

Community Organizing, Advocacy 

Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Military, Security 

Culinary Science, Cooking School 

Cultural Studies 

Demography, Population Studies 

Dentistry, Dental Hygiene 

Drama, Theater, Dance, Film 

Economics 

Education (Primary, Secondary, and Special Teacher Training) 

English and Literature 

Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, etc.) 

Environmental Sciences or Studies (Fishery, Wildlife, Conservation Included)  

Film 

Finance 

Foreign Language 

Geology, Earth Sciences, Geoscience 

Geography 

Gerontology 

Health Sciences 

History 

Hospitality and Tourism 

Human Services 

International Studies, International Relations, Global Studies, Global Affairs, Foreign Service, International Policy, International Affairs 

Journalism 

Kinesiology 

Law Support Services (Assistant Paralegal, Administrative, Secretary, Court Reporter)  

Liberal Arts, Humanities 

Library Arts 

Linguistics and Applied Linguistics 

Logic 

Maritime Studies 

Marine Science, Marine Biology, Oceanography 

Mathematics 

Music Performance, Voice 

Military Systems, Military Science 

Nursing  

Optician, Ophthalmic Lab Technician, Optical appliance Technicians, Aides, etc. 

Nutrition and Dietetics 

Oceanography 

Peace Studies 

Philosophy (Secular and Christian) 

Physics (and subfields Astrophysics, Biophysics...) 

Political Science, Government 

Pre-Physical Therapy 

Pre-Optometry Concentration Programs (Non-major) 

Pre-Law, Law 

Pre-Medicine, Physician Assistant 

Pre-Pharmacy, Pharmacy 

Pre-Physical Therapy 

Pre-Veterinarian 

Psychology 

Psychiatry 

Publishing  

Religion, Theology 

Rhetoric 

Sociology 

Social Work 

Sports Sciences, Kinesiology, Recreation, Physical Education, Pre-Physical Therapy 

Trades and Technical Majors  

Urban Planning or Studies 

Women’s Studies 

Visual and Performing Arts 

Writing, Technical Writing, Editing 

BONUS: Choosing Your Major 

Q. & A.  

Reader Contribution 

Connect With Ellen 

Further Reading 

About This Guide

Dear Reader,

This guide is designed to help you as a student, parent, grandparent, guardian, friend or relative assess the options available in higher education. It’s a labor of love thats been many years in the making, assembled in my spare time. Like the full-length book which inspired it, Rethinking College, my goal has been to fill the gaps between what academics and school counselors are being trained to say, and the spiritual insight students actually need to hear. As I learned the hard way as a Christian there’s a lot to hear!

I’ve assigned each major a symbol to represent the risk level. Underneath that is a list of agendas to watch out for, followed by some recommendations and options for alternatives, if any. The lists I’ve made are NOT exhaustive and some of the opinions are just that—opinions!

If you don’t find your major here or are unsatisfied, most retailers accept returns (yes even on the ebooks!).

Technical majors usually don’t require much discussion. Others (usually the ideological majors) have several pages of discussion, watchwords, and recommendations. Be sure to cross check related majors (for example, future Nurses should also check under Pre-medical, Nutrition, Gerontology, Human Services, Psychiatry, Psychology etc.). In addition to that, read about the required general education or core curriculum classes like English, History, Biology, and Art which most schools will tag on to your schedule.

Think of this guide not as an encyclopedia or rule book but a tool to help you prepare for your future. It’s not a GPS telling you where to go. It’s a map telling you what’s out there—be it a mountain or a mole hill. Use it to pray, to prepare, or even to find an alternate route around the hazard. So many students, including myself, don’t know WHAT their major is truly about until they get into it and it’s too late. Yet it really is up to the student to make these judgments. Consider it your heads up.

Here in America we are blessed to be able to chose our vocations, but with freedom comes responsibility. Parents and students MUST investigate each major, and each school’s program on their own to determine whether the major is appropriate, whether any controversies or threats are even present at the location, and if so, how they may be handled.

For students who need a more detailed list of specific careers, check the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Answering The Call

Some readers may find the breakdown a bit pessimistic. That’s not the point. My goal is not to discourage but to encourage readers to follow Jesus where they are called, and do so with all their heart mind and soul.

We need Christians who are aware of their options, aware of the problems, and prepared to face them. If you are a parent reading this and you’re not sure whether your child believes or not—please take heed. Indoctrination is a real thing, and it’s absolutely imperative that you take measures to guide and direct your child in the way they should go. Students who go to college unprepared or on the fence about their faith are the most likely to fall away in college—and some of them never come back.

For those students who are born again the options are obviously different. My purpose for pointing to follies in higher education is not to imply that nobody should go into difficult areas. We serve a big God who calls us to live as ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:10) in the ministry of reconciliation. Don’t let the worst-case scenarios scare and hinder you from pursuing your calling. These observations are just that. Observations. After all investigating your college or niche, your experience may be totally different. I just encourage you now to stay alert, make good choices, and follow Jesus. Even when your faith is challenged (and it likely will be), bad experiences can make you a better stronger person if you keep your eyes on the Lord. Even the hardest places can be massively fruitful.

Where would we be if great leaders and scientists hadn’t endured the hostile secular programs to become the only representatives, defenders, and truth-tellers in their fields. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Biology’s Ken Ham, or Geology’s Terry Mortenson to give just a few of many great examples. What a loss it would be! Clearly there is a place for Christians in secular academia. Some of you have been called to a field where there isn’t a Christian option or a green check-mark. That doesn’t mean it’s hopeless.

If God has specifically led you to a certain arena, pursue Him through it with all your heart.

Someday I hope that many of these unhealthy educational systems will be shaken, overturned, reformed, retaken, or simply replaced. Until they are we have to do our best to stay true to the One who matters most. Before you know it college  or trade school will be over and you’ll look back on those years. Let them be memorable for all the right reasons.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: (Proverbs 2:11)

So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. (Proverbs 3:22)

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what