Declaring Majors and Minors
How do I declare a major?
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- Visit the Registrar's website here.
- Click on "Major/Minor Declaration/Change".
- Sign in and follow the prompts to select your major(s)/minor(s).
- Once you have completed all of the required documentation, hit submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the earliest I can declare a major?
Students in the College of Arts & Science can declare a major as soon as their third semester in residence. For most students, this is the start of their sophomore year.
When is the deadline to declare a major?
Students in the College of Arts and Science must declare a major by midway through their fourth semester in residence. For most students, this deadline is the Friday before Spring Break of their sophomore year.
What happens if I don't declare a major by the deadline?
Students who have not declared a major by the deadline may not be able to enroll in classes for the following semester until they have submitted the proper forms.
Are there advantages to declaring a major as soon as possible?
Yes. Most departments reserve seats in their classes for majors. Once your declaration has been processed, you become eligible for seats reserved for majors. YES will be able to enroll you in those seats during your registration window even if there are non-majors on the waitlist. You will also receive your major adviser, who will be a faculty member of your major's department and will be able to best advise you on requirements for the major and your intended sequence of classes.
Does my CASPAR adviser sign my major declaration form?
No. While you are welcome to discuss your ideas about majors and minors with us, CASPAR advisers do not sign these forms. Your new major or minor adviser needs to sign the form.
How do I find a major adviser?
This process differs from department to department. Go to your department's website to find out how your major assigns advisers and follow the instructions there.
Do I need an adviser for each major or minor?
Yes. If you have more than one major and/or a minor, you need to get an adviser for each. You'll need to go to each department's website and follow the process for being assigned an adviser for that major/minor. As you'll see below in the how to section, the copy of the major declaration form that you submit to the Office of Academic Services needs to have signatures from all of your major/minor advisers.
Can I change my major(s) or minor(s) later on?
Yes. You need to have one major declared by the deadline. However, you can add or drop majors and minors after that by submitting a new copy of the major/minor declaration form. See the Undergraduate Catalog for specific deadlines for making changes to majors and minors.
Where can I see all the A&S majors and minors?
You can see a list of all the majors and minors offered by the College of Arts and Science here.
Where can I see the full policy on A&S majors and minors?
You can read about the full policy, including when during the semester major declarations are processed, and special cases such as double, triple, and the individually-created interdisciplinary major, here.