Health & Medicine

Interested in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, biomedical sciences, public health, or other health-related fields?

Build a strong science foundation while developing the communication, research, and analytical skills that matter in healthcare.

Try this instead… Interested in global health? Consider continuing a world language at HL. More interested in healthcare systems and policy? Economics could replace Psychology. Heading toward a highly quantitative (like research) field? Pay close attention to your mathematics choice.

Why This Plan?
Biology and Chemistry provide complementary perspectives on the life and health sciences, while Psychology adds an understanding of human behavior and research.  Mathematics, language study, and English strengthen quantitative, communication, and analytical skills used throughout healthcare.

Planning for College
Requirements for health-related majors and professional programs vary significantly by university.  Students should research the course expectations for specific colleges, majors, and professional programs they may be considering before finalizing their IB Diploma Plan.

Make it YOURS! 

These are sample plans - not required tracks.  

Environmental & Natural Sciences

Interested in environmental science, ecology, conservation, sustainability, natural resources, or related fields?

Explore the connections between natural systems and human choices while developing strong scientific, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Try this instead... More interested in environmental policy, sustainability, or economics? Consider Economics at HL. Interested in environmental chemistry, climate science, or laboratory research? Chemistry could replace Biology. Heading toward environmental engineering or another highly quantitative field? Pay close attention to your mathematics and physics choices.

Why This Plan?
Environmental Systems & Societies examines environmental questions through both scientific and human perspectives, while Biology provides a deeper understanding of living systems, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Economics adds another lens for considering resources, development, incentives, and environmental decision-making.

Planning for College
Environmental fields cover a wide range of university programs. A student interested in environmental policy or sustainability may need a different preparation than one pursuing ecology, environmental chemistry, geoscience, or environmental engineering. Research the course expectations for specific colleges and majors before finalizing your IB Diploma Plan.

Make it YOURS! 

These are sample plans - not required tracks.  

Engineering

Interested in engineering, aerospace, robotics, architecture, applied mathematics, or other highly technical fields?

Build a strong science foundation in mathematics and physical science while developing the analytical, modeling, and problem-solving skills used in engineering.

Try this instead… Interested chemical, biomedical, or environmental engineering?  Consider using your additional science choice for Chemistry, Biology, or ESS.  Interested in computing, robotics, or software?  Computer Science may be especially valuable.  Not sure which branch of engineering interests you yet?  A strong foundation in Physics and Mathematics can help keep several options open.

Why This Plan?
Physics and Mathematics AA develop complementary skills in mathematical reasoning, modeling, and problem solving while helping students understand the physical principles behind engineered systems.  Computer Science adds computational thinking and programming, while Economics provides another perspective on how resources, decisions, and systems operate.

Planning for College
Engineering programs can have particularly specific expectations for high school mathematics and science preparation.  Different engineering specialties may also emphasize different sciences.  Research the course expectations for specific colleges and engineering programs before finalizing your IB Diploma Plan.

Make it YOURS! 

These are sample plans - not required tracks.  

Computer Science & Technology

Interested in computer science, software development, cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, information technology, or other computing fields?

Develop computational and mathematical thinking while strengthening the problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills needed to design and understand technology.

Try this instead... Interested in computer engineering, robotics, or hardware?  Consider Physics at HL.  Interested in AI, human-computer interaction, or how people use technology?  Psychology can provide an interesting complementary perspective.  Interested in entrepreneurship, fintech, or the business side of technology?  Consider Economics.

Why This Plan?
Computer Science develops programming, computational thinking, and the ability to design and evaluate technological solutions, while Mathematics AA strengthens abstract and analytical reasoning.  Physics adds experience with mathematical models and physical systems, and Psychology provides a human perspective on behavior, cognition, and research.

Planning for College
Computer Science and technology programs vary considerably in their mathematics and science expectations.  Programs in computer engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, or other specialized areas may have different recommendations.  Research the course expectations for specific colleges and majors before finalizing your IB Diploma Plan.

Make it YOURS! 

These are sample plans - not required tracks.  

Business & Economics

Interested in business, finance, economics, marketing, entrepreneurship, international business, or related fields?

Explore how people, organizations, and economies make decisions while developing strong quantitative, communication, and analytical skills.

Try this instead… Heading toward finance, economics, or another highly quantitative field?  Your mathematics choice may become especially important - and could even become one of your HLs.  Interested in consumer behavior, management, or marketing?  Psychology offers another useful perspective.  Interested in international business?  Continuing world language at HL can add valuable linguistic and cultural depth.

Why This Plan?
Economics develops students' understanding of markets, decision-making, policy, and the global economy, while Psychology provides insight into human behavior and research.  Continued language study adds an international dimension, and mathematics strengthens the quantitative reasoning used across business and economic fields.

Planning for College
Business programs vary widely in their mathematics expectations, and economics, finance, accounting, and data-focused programs may expect stronger quantitative preparation than other business majors.  Research the course expectations for specific colleges and business, economics, or related programs before finalizing your IB Diploma Plan.

Make it YOURS! 

These are sample plans - not required tracks.  

Law & Social Sciences

Interested in law, government, public policy, political science, international relations, sociology, criminal justice, or other social science fields?

Develop strong skills in research, argumentation, evidence, communication, and the analysis of people, institutions, and societies.

Choose your third HL... This pathway leaves room to personalize your Diploma.  Interested in economics, government, or public policy?  Consider Economics HL.  Interested in international relations or cross-cultural work?  A world language at HL may be a strong choice.  Interested in environmental law or policy?  ESS HL could add a science-and-society perspective.

Why This Plan?
History develops skills in evaluating sources, analyzing competing interpretations, constructing evidence-based arguments, and understanding change over time.  Psychology adds the study of human behavior and research, while language, mathematics, and science provide the broader perspectives expected of an IB Diploma student.

Planning for College
Law is typically pursued as a graduate professional degree in the United States, so there is no single required undergraduate major or high school course sequence for future law students.  Students interested in law, policy, or the social sciences can use their IB choices to develop strong preparation in reading, writing, research, analysis, and communication while exploring the subjects that interest them most.

Make it YOURS! 

These are sample plans - not required tracks.  

Languages & International Studies

Interested in languages, international relations, global studies, diplomacy, international development, linguistics, or working across cultures?

Build advanced communication and intercultural skills while exploring how history, economics, language, and culture shapes an interconnected world.

Try this instead... Interested in global markets, development, or international business?  Economics could become a major part of your plan.  Interested in global environmental issues?  Consider ESS at HL.  Students with strong Spanish language backgrounds may also want to explore Spanish A: Literature SSST and the possibility of earning an IB Bilingual Diploma.

Why This Plan?
Advanced language study develops communication and intercultural understanding, while History strengthens students' ability to evaluate evidence, perspectives, and change across societies.  Together with English and the broader Diploma curriculum, these courses prepare students to examine complex global questions from multiple perspectives.

Planning for College
International and language-focused fields can lead to many different areas of study, and university programs may differ in their language expectations.  Students should also consider opportunities such as study abroad, international programs, and continued advanced language study when researching colleges and majors.

Make it YOURS! 

These are sample plans - not required tracks.  

Arts & Creative Fields

Interested in visual arts, theatre, dance, design, communications, media, or other creative fields?

Develop your creative voice while building the research, communication, analytical, and reflective skills that support advanced study in the arts and creative industries.

Choose your third HL… Your creative field doesn't have to determine every part of your Diploma.  Interested in the relationship between art, culture, and global audiences?  Consider a world language HL.  Interested in the business side of the creative industries?  Economics HL could add another perspective.  Or choose an HL science, mathematics, or other subject that reflects another academic strengths or interest.

Why This Plan?
An Arts HL gives students the opportunity to develop greater depth, independence, and sophistication in their creative practice, while English strengthens interpretation and communication.  Psychology can add insight into human behavior and audiences, and the remaining IB subjects provide a broad academic foundation that distinguishes the Diploma Programme.

Planning for College
Admission to many university art programs may involve more than academic coursework, including portfolios, auditions, interviews, or other program-specific requirements.  Research both the academic and artistic admission expectations for specific colleges and programs before finalizing your IB Diploma Plan.

Make it YOURS! 

These are sample plans - not required tracks.  

Keep My Options Open

Not sure what you want to study after high school yet?  That's completely okay.

Choose a broad, balanced Diploma plan that lets you continue exploring different subjects while developing strong skills in communication, research, mathematics, science, and analysis.

Choose your third HL... This is where you can lean into a subject you enjoy, do well in, or simply want to explore more deeply.  Consider a world language, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, ESS, Computer Science, Mathematics, or an Arts subject at HL.  Your third HL doesn't have to declare your future career - it can reflect who you are as a student right now.

Why This Plan?
A broad Diploma plan keeps students engaged across the major academic disciplines without requiring them to specialize too early.  English and History develop advanced reading, writing, research, and argumentation skills, while mathematics, science, language, and the arts provide opportunities to think and solve problems in very different ways.

Planning for College
You do not need to know your future major to begin planning for college.  However, some university programs - particularly engineering, computer science, natural sciences, and other specialized fields - may have specific mathematics or science expectations.  If there are fields you might be considering, research their requirements before finalizing your IB Diploma Plan.

Make it YOURS! 

Your Diploma Plan doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

You don't have to know exactly where you're going.  Your IB Diploma Plan should help you keep discovering what might come next.