The academic major (see complete list of majors and minors offerred at Colby) is where students focus to gain an understanding of one discipline, its areas of application, and its relationship to other areas of knowledge. Colby currently offers 53 majors. Students may choose from among straightforward departmental majors (chemistry, economics, English, etc.), interdisciplinary majors (international studies, environmental studies: policy, etc.), combined majors (economics-mathematics, classical civilization-anthropology, etc.), and options available within majors (economics: financial markets, psychology: neuroscience, etc.). Colby also offers an independent major option. About one student in four completes a double major. In addition, students may choose from among 33 minors.

Each major teaches the critical-thinking, communication, and research skills necessary to understand one’s field. It also is where students have the most intense interaction with faculty members and where most students will pursue an internship or field experience. The major field of study teaches both the body of knowledge necessary to enter a career or graduate program and the transferable techniques for understanding and mastering other fields as one advances or shifts careers.