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title: "AP Classes by Major"
description: "AP Classes by Major on Fiveable."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-classes/by-major"
type: "seo-landing"
---

# AP Classes by Major

## Page Content

The best AP<sup>®</sup> classes by major depend on the skills your future field uses most. STEM paths usually need calculus, science, and computer science. Health paths usually need biology, chemistry, statistics, and psychology. Business and social science paths usually benefit from economics, statistics, government, history, and strong writing.

Use this hub with Fiveable's [AP<sup>®</sup> classes guide](/ap-classes), [AP<sup>®</sup> classes by grade](/ap-classes-by-grade), and the career guides below.

## AP<sup>®</sup> classes by major and career path

| Major or career path | Start with these AP classes | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | AP Calculus, AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A | [AP classes for engineering](/ap-classes/engineering) |
| Pre-med | AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, AP Psychology | [AP classes for pre-med](/ap-classes/pre-med) |
| Business | AP Calculus, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Statistics | [AP classes for business](/ap-classes/business) |
| Computer science | AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Statistics | [AP classes for computer science](/ap-classes/computer-science) |
| Law or pre-law | AP English Language, AP US Government, AP US History, AP Economics | [AP classes for law](/ap-classes/law) |
| Education | AP Psychology, AP English, AP US History, AP Statistics | [AP classes for education](/ap-classes/education) |
| Psychology | AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP English | [AP classes for psychology](/ap-classes/psychology) |
| Finance | AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Economics, AP Computer Science | [AP classes for finance](/ap-classes/finance) |
| Nursing | AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, AP Statistics | [AP classes for nursing](/ap-classes/nursing) |
| Architecture | AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Art and Design, AP Art History | [AP classes for architecture](/ap-classes/architecture) |
| Data science | AP Statistics, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science A, AP Biology or Physics | [AP classes for data science](/ap-classes/data-science) |
| Veterinary medicine | AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, AP Psychology | [AP classes for veterinary medicine](/ap-classes/veterinary) |
| Dentistry | AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Statistics | [AP classes for dentistry](/ap-classes/dentistry) |
| Pharmacy | AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Statistics | [AP classes for pharmacy](/ap-classes/pharmacy) |
| Economics | AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics | [AP classes for economics](/ap-classes/economics) |
| Accounting | AP Statistics, AP Calculus, AP Economics, AP Business with Personal Finance | [AP classes for accounting](/ap-classes/accounting) |
| Marketing | AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP English Language, AP Microeconomics | [AP classes for marketing](/ap-classes/marketing) |
| Political science | AP US Government, AP Comparative Government, AP US History, AP English | [AP classes for political science](/ap-classes/political-science) |
| International relations | AP Comparative Government, AP World History, AP Human Geography, AP language | [AP classes for international relations](/ap-classes/international-relations) |
| Journalism | AP English Language, AP Government, AP US History, AP Statistics | [AP classes for journalism](/ap-classes/journalism) |
| Communications | AP English Language, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP Government | [AP classes for communications](/ap-classes/communications) |
| Environmental science | AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics | [AP classes for environmental science](/ap-classes/environmental-science) |
| Public health | AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP Psychology, AP Human Geography | [AP classes for public health](/ap-classes/public-health) |
| Social work | AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP Government, AP Human Geography | [AP classes for social work](/ap-classes/social-work) |
| Criminal justice | AP Government, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP US History | [AP classes for criminal justice](/ap-classes/criminal-justice) |
| Graphic design | AP 2-D Art and Design, AP Drawing, AP Art History, AP Computer Science Principles | [AP classes for graphic design](/ap-classes/graphic-design) |
| Game design | AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Art and Design, AP Physics | [AP classes for game design](/ap-classes/game-design) |

## How to choose

Start with prerequisites and readiness. A future engineering major should not skip calculus for a lighter elective if calculus is available. A future journalism or law student should prioritize writing-heavy AP<sup>®</sup> classes. A future health student should make room for lab science and statistics.

Then check college credit rules. AP credit can help with placement or general education, but departments often set their own rules for major requirements.

## Fiveable resources

Use Fiveable to review the AP® subjects in your plan:

- [AP study guides](/ap-classes) for every AP subject.
- [AP practice questions](/practice) for topic-by-topic review.
- [AP FRQ practice](/frqs) for free-response practice.
- [AP score calculators](/ap-score-calculator) for score planning.
- [AP classes by grade](/ap-classes-by-grade) for pacing your schedule.