The most popular majors at UNA include nursing, biology, management, communications, and elementary and secondary education, with the least popular majors including physics, math, economics and industrial hygiene, according to officials.

UNA students and faculty have several theories on why certain majors are ranked the way they are.

“I don’t think people understand what (industrial hygiene) is at first glance,” said UNA student Casey Bedingfield, an industrial hygiene major. “It is a very specialized field of study. Many people ask me to explain my major. That doesn’t happen with biology, chemistry and physics majors.

“Industrial hygiene takes elements from biology, chemistry and physics, and you use that understanding to benefit the well-being of individuals in the workplace. I enjoy it because it is people-focused. You can make a difference in the lives of people by making sure the work environment is as safe as possible.”

UNA student Michael Losey, an entertainment industry management major, has some ideas to explain why management is one of UNA’s higher-ranked majors.

“I think that even though the music industry has been hit pretty hard economically, there is still a huge market for the product, and time will tell what the new business model will be,” Losey said.

“It is exciting to be a part of something that everyone knows will develop but a little scary due to the uncertainty of when and how it will develop. Still, it is easy to be interested in the business of music if one is a music lover but knows that being a musician or artist is not for them.”

Greg Pitts, professor and chair of the department of communications, discussed the ranking of the communications major.

“I think there are several reasons for it,” Pitts said. “One is that people either understand it or believe they do because we’re engaged in communication in some way every single day. Maybe it’s speaking to somebody, maybe it’s consuming media, maybe it’s social media related.

“I think also that students take a look at the basic focus or structure of our degree, and we emphasize writing skills, but we also emphasize digital technology skills, and we have a creative thinking side that goes along with the major, as well.”