What's a college concentration?

I'm researching college programs and saw the term 'concentration' used a lot. Can someone explain what a concentration in college means? Is it like a major, or something different? How does it impact your course choices?

A college concentration is a focused area of study within a specific major. It's somewhat comparable to a specialization in a specific topic. Suppose you're majoring in Business. In that case, you might have the option to choose a concentration in areas like Marketing, Finance, or Supply Chain Management. This allows you to take more specialized courses in that area, as part of your major curriculum.

To put it in simple terms, if a major is a broad field of study, a concentration is a specific focus within that field. It's a way to fine-tune your education to better align with your career goals and interests.

The impacts on your course choices will vary depending on the specific program and school. In many cases, choosing a concentration will mean taking a specific set of coursework related to that concentration, in addition to the general requirements of your major. This offers increased depth and allows you to develop specific expertise in your chosen concentration.

Please note that not all majors or schools offer concentrations, and the availability could depend on the size of the school, the resources they have available, and the structure of their academic programs. Some schools might use different terms to describe a similar concept, like "track" or "emphasis."

For instance, if you're studying Biology, you might choose a concentration in Molecular Biology or Ecology. Your major would still be Biology, but your concentration shows that you've attained a higher level of knowledge in that specific subfield. You'd still take the important core Biology classes, but your elective choices might lean more toward your concentration's subject matter.

Remember, while a concentration can provide valuable specialization, it's also crucial to maintain a balance with a well-rounded education, particularly in fields that are interdisciplinary or rapidly evolving.