What Major Does Mythology Fall Under? Your Guide to Studying Legends

Ever wondered which major you should pick if you’re obsessed with Greek gods or Norse legends? You’re not alone. Colleges don’t usually offer a straight-up “mythology” major, which can be a letdown if you’re picturing four years of decoding ancient stories.

But here’s the trick: mythology weaves through a bunch of different majors. You’ll spot it hiding in literature, classics, anthropology, and even in religious studies departments. You just have to know where to look. My daughter Keira once asked if there’s a class about monsters and heroes. Turns out, you can find those stories where you least expect them—sometimes mixed in with Shakespeare, sometimes sandwiched between myths and old ruins in a classics course.

If you’re wondering how to actually get your hands on real myth study, stick around. There’s a way to make your love for ancient tales more than just a hobby—and I’ll show you where to start looking.

• Where You’ll Find Mythology in College
• Popular Majors That Cover Mythology
• Picking Courses and Specializations
• Tips for Aspiring Mythology Buffs

Where You’ll Find Mythology in College

Mythology pops up in all sorts of college departments, but you’ll almost never see a bachelor’s degree just called “Mythology.” That surprises a lot of folks. So, where do schools actually tuck away all those gods, heroes, and epic tales?

One of the main homes for mythology is the literature department. English majors often dive into Greek epics, Norse sagas, and ancient legends in world literature classes. But it doesn’t end there—many universities have a “Classics” department, focusing mostly on Greek and Roman stuff, but also branching out to Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and sometimes even Asian or African myths.

Anthropology is another reliable spot. These courses go beyond stories and look at why people created myths, how legends shaped ancient societies, and what these tales tell us about human behavior. Religion and philosophy departments also touch on mythology, especially when studying how old beliefs shaped modern religions or moral codes.

• Classics Departments: Usually at bigger universities or well-known colleges. Look for courses like “Greek Mythology” or “Women in Ancient Myth.”
• English/Literature: Many English programs feature classes about myth and folklore. Sometimes these classes dig into stories from all over the world, not just Europe.
• Anthropology: You’ll get a more social science take, with titles like “Myth, Magic, and Ritual.”
• Religious Studies: Useful if you’re interested in how myth connects to faith, scripture, and rituals.

A lot of universities even let you make your own combo—mixing literature, classics, and history to build a customized path focused on mythology. Here’s a quick look at some schools and where you’ll spot these topics:

So, if you want to study mythology, pay close attention to course lists, not just major titles. The right classes are there—you just have to dig a little and talk to advisors. A major might not have “mythology” in the name, but the stories are hiding in plain sight.

Popular Majors That Cover Mythology

If you’re trying to find the fastest way to major in stories about gods, monsters, and heroes, you’re probably wondering what to pick on those college forms. The truth: there’s no button that just says “Mythology.” But plenty of popular majors are packed with it.

The first spot you’ll want to check out is literature. Whether it’s English, World, or Comparative Literature, most programs dive deep into myths from different cultures. You could be reading The Odyssey one week and the Ramayana the next. Shakespeare even packed some Roman myths into his plays, and college lit professors love pointing that out.

If you’ve ever heard the word “Classics,” this is even more on the nose. Classics is all about ancient Greece and Rome: their languages, history, and, yep, their myths. If you want to learn about Hercules, Athena, or those weird tales where gods transform into animals (don’t ask), this major is a goldmine. Some universities even have whole courses just on Greek Tragedy or Roman Epic.

Anthropology is sneakier—most people think of bones and old pots, but a lot of anthro classes dig into myth as part of understanding cultures. Myths explain rituals, tell why things are the way they are, and even mess with the way societies see the world. One semester, my friend took an anthropology course on indigenous North American myths and learned legends that never got mentioned in high school textbooks.

Religious studies is another big one. You won’t just talk about Christian, Jewish, or Islamic texts—professors often include myths from Hinduism, indigenous religions, or even ancient Egypt. Sometimes, you end up spotting the same types of stories across totally different cultures.

• Literature majors read and analyze myths as part of classic and world texts.
• Classics programs focus on ancient Greek and Roman myths, languages, and authors.
• Anthropology uses myth to explain and explore culture.
• Religious studies might cover myth as a way of understanding beliefs, rituals, and origins.

If you want, you can even mix things up. Lots of schools offer build-your-own majors, so you can toss mythology, history, and even art history together. Not every catalog spells it out, so ask the admissions folks what’s possible. Keira once joked she’d make a "Monsters and Heroes" degree—and honestly, with the right adviser, that’s not too far off.

Picking Courses and Specializations

If you want to pack your schedule with classes about myths, monsters, and heroes, you’ve got to know how colleges organize things. Schools hardly ever list “mythology” by itself in the course guide, but you’ve got options hidden across departments if you know where to check.

Here’s the deal: in most universities, you can find mythology within these degree tracks:

• Classics: This major digs into Greek, Roman, and sometimes Near Eastern myths. You'll read original ancient texts, discuss what these stories meant to the people who believed in them, and see how they’ve shaped Western culture.
• Literature: English and World Literature programs often run classes focused on myth-heavy works. Look for course names like “Arthurian Legends,” “Greek Myth in Modern Fiction,” or “Epic Poetry.”
• Anthropology: Interested in how different cultures explain the world with stories? Anthro offers courses on comparative mythology, folklore, and belief systems from around the globe.
• Religious Studies: Myths about gods, creation, or the afterlife are fair game here. If you're curious about how myths and religion overlap, you’ll find entire courses devoted to that angle.

If you want to really specialize, some colleges let you create a custom track. You combine classes from the departments above—sometimes even throwing in art history or theater—to match your interests. Columbia University and University of Chicago let you do this, so you’re not stuck in a strict lane.

Certain schools go even further. The University of Edinburgh in the UK runs a joint degree in “Classics and English Literature” where you can spend nearly half your time on myth-based stories. In the US, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley all have electives like “Myth, Memory, and History” or “The Heroic Tradition.” You don’t have to be a giant school to find these, though; smaller liberal arts colleges are famous for creating quirky classes on “Vampires in Myth” or “Women in Norse Sagas.”

If you’re wondering how your choices stack up, here’s what some top programs offer:

If you’re serious about a future with myths, don’t just stick to popular majors—mix and match electives, talk to your advisor, or even pitch your own independent study. You’ll stand out, which is exactly what you want if you’re aiming to do something different with your love for ancient stories.

Tips for Aspiring Mythology Buffs

If you’re itching to dive into mythology at college, there’s more than one way to do it right—and have fun while you’re at it. Here are some down-to-earth tips I wish someone had given me sooner.

• Mythology classes are usually hiding inside other majors. Look for course titles like “Greek and Roman Myth,” “Ancient Civilizations,” or even “World Literature: Myths and Legends.” The course descriptions usually spill the beans.
• Don’t just stick to English. Some of the coolest myths are covered in classics departments, especially at colleges known for their strong ancient language programs (like Latin or Greek). If you’re not out to learn a whole new language, many programs offer translated texts.
• Anthropology isn’t just about bones and stones. Many anthropology degrees include classes on folklore, ritual, and oral traditions, where you’ll find myths from all over the world—including lesser-known ones from Africa, Australia, or the Americas.
• Try your hand at creative writing. Some schools let you mix myth into your own stories in fiction workshops. You get to study the old tales and then make up your own epic twists.
• Don’t be shy about emailing professors. They actually like when students are curious and, in my experience, love to talk shop about myth. A quick message asking about myth-heavy classes can get you tips nobody else knows.

One more thing—clubs and online groups can be goldmines. Look up campus myth and folklore clubs, or join online communities where fans swap recommendations and debate which gods would win in a fight. You might even score a spot in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign all about legends.

Mythology is everywhere on campus if you know how to spot it. Keep an eye out, read those course catalogs carefully, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. That’s how you turn a passion for legends into something you can actually study.