Final answer:
The heads of the major departments in the United States government are called secretaries, except for the Department of Justice which is led by the attorney general. They are part of the president's cabinet, which includes fifteen members, and their duties include advising the president and executing laws within their jurisdictions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heads of Major Departments in the Executive Branch
The leaders of the major departments in the United States government are commonly referred to as secretaries. Each cabinet department is led by a secretary, with the exception of the Department of Justice, which is headed by the attorney general. The cabinet departments, such as the Department of Treasury, Defense, State, and Education, form part of the executive branch and are directly accountable to the president. These departments execute the federal government's various functions, and their heads provide advice to the president on matters within their purview. The secretaries are nominated by the president and must be confirmed by the Senate. While most departments, such as those listed in the content loaded, are headed by a secretary, it's important to note that the Department of Justice is structured differently, with an attorney general at the helm, supported by an associate attorney general and various bureau and division heads.
The cabinet today comprises fifteen members, including the vice president and the secretaries of various departments. The cabinet's role is to advise the president in their respective policy areas and to help implement policy initiatives and execute the law. The size and structure of the cabinet have evolved since George Washington's time, reflecting the changes in the nation's needs and the growth of its bureaucracy.