Major

Majors are areas of academic study in The Sims 2: University and The Sims 3: University Life.

The Sims 2: University
The Sims 2: University requires young adults to declare a major at college before their Junior year (3rd year). Majors can be declared by using the phone or computer (under the college menu), but Sims will not do this autonomously. Sims who have not declared a major before the end of their Sophomore year will automatically be enrolled in the Philosophy major when they become Juniors. Sims cannot have more than one major, but can change their major at any time before the end of their Junior year.

All majors have one class per semester. While classes normally last two hours, each major has one or two classes that last for three. All majors have a mixture of morning, afternoon, and evening/night classes.

Each major requires different skills that compliment specific career tracks. Each major is associated with certain specific career tracks. If a Sim who graduated with honors enters a career track related to his or her major, he or she will get a bonus of 1, 2, or 3 levels. (+1 for Cum Laude, +2 for Magna Cum Laude, +3 for Summa Cum Laude).

Sims who have not declared a major may roll a want to declare one. This is a 2500 point want, so while players can ignore it, it is a good way to give a Sim's aspiration bar a quick boost. These Sims may also roll fears of declaring certain majors. Which majors, if any, a Sim wants or fears will usually depend on his or her aspiration, personality, and skills. For example, Fortune Sims are likely to want to declare Economics. A Sim who has a secondary aspiration may also roll a want to declare a major related to it.

The Sims 3: University Life
Majors returned in The Sims 3: University Life. The number of majors available is lower than in The Sims 2: University, with a grand total of six. The six majors are Business, Communications, Fine Arts, Physical Education, Science and Medicine, and Technology.

Each major will help a Sim start jobs at a higher level, earn more pay, get career bonuses more frequently, and earn career experience faster. The Business degree is helpful for the Business and Criminal careers. The Technology degree is helpful for the Military and Law Enforcement careers. The Science and Medicine degree is helpful for the Science and Medical careers (That one's a shocker). The Communications degree is helpful in the Political, Journalism, and Fortune Telling careers. The Fine Arts degree is helpful for the Music, Culinary, and Film careers. The Physical Education degree is helpful for the Athletic career. It's important to know that a Sim's final grade is what determines his or her success in the outside world. For example, earning an "A" will automatically allow Sims to enter a career at level 4 with a noticeable pay raise.

Enrollment in University is as simple as using a phone or computer. However, before enrolling Sims should consider taking the Sims University Aptitude Test. This test is available on the University Welcome Kit. The Sims University Aptitude Test will convert all those hard-earned skills, career experience, and even trusts into Universkty benefits like scholarships and free credits. This test is a great benefit to Sims who want to prepare for University before enrolling. After using a computer or phone, an enrollment screen will pop up. In this screen you can choose which Sims will attend University. You can also see the scholarships earned through the Aptitude Test and select the Degree you'd like your Sim to work for. After picking a degree, you can choose the number of credits. More credits means more classes and enables you to earn your degree faster, but that will leave little time for socializing. You will also choose to take one or two terms, each term being a week long.

A Sim may take up to 3 classes per term. All classes last 2 hours, start at either 8 am, noon, or 4 pm, and meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each major will have a 2-hour class activity and a 2-hour lecture; one of these will be scheduled for Tuesday, and the other for Thursday.