Choosing a Major
Students are encouraged to by the spring semester of their sophomore year. There are many resources and strategies for deciding on a major, double major, or minor. Think about how you have made big decisions in the past 鈥 what kind of information you needed, what kind of experiences you needed to have to make an informed decision.
- A liberal arts curriculum allows you to complete many electives 鈫 take new classes to explore areas unfamiliar to you.
- Consider what courses you enjoy 鈫 take an additional course in this discipline.
- Look through 麻豆视频 majors and minors online or in the . Look at the requirements for each major or minor.
- Read and find classes that sound interesting. See if there is a theme that emerges.
- Visit with Academic Support Center staff and talk through careful course selection and plan out possible majors/minors.
- Visit with your advisor and other faculty, especially on Advising Day, which is held each semester. Go into these conversations with a list of questions about the major and potential career opportunities.
- While you are taking the time to choose your major, check out Career Development鈥檚 , their Still Deciding career interest area, or take a career assessment. An assessment will connect your interests with career areas, occupations, and general college majors.
First-year students can declare a major (other than the application-based majors listed below) anytime after their first semester. You should be keeping major options open, remembering to declare by the spring of your sophomore year. If you haven鈥檛 declared by the fall of your junior year, there will be a hold on your registration until you declare a major.
If you intend to major in Education, Exercise Physiology, or Nursing, you must be admitted into the program. Applications are accepted during sophomore year. Declaring one of these majors and arranging for an advisor will be done for you upon admission to the program.
Transfer students can declare their major as soon as they are ready. Be sure to do this prior to the time you register in November of your junior year.
Complete the for your second major. You need an advisor for each major. For class registration each semester, you need approval from only one, although you should meet and discuss your progress with your faculty advisor from both departments.
Complete the form for . A faculty advisor is not required for your minor. Required courses will appear in on your "Progress" report after you declare your minor.
Meeting with a Faculty Advisor
You need one faculty advisor for approval to register every semester, and for approval of your application for graduation (spring of junior year). Students meet with their faculty advisor each semester and are encouraged to seek advice from your other faculty and campus resources to help you plan your academic path.
Ask faculty for input as you:
- Choose courses for registration;
- Plan when and where to study away;
- Plan when and where to do an internship;
- Explore other academic opportunities and experiences in addition to coursework;
- Reflect on what you are learning in your coursework and about yourself.
Creating Your Four-Year Plan
Available Resources
- Challenge Curriculum Academic Four-Year Planning Sheet.
for Fall 2024 and beyond.
: Your Progress screen tracks progress towards your degree program in terms of fulfilling major/minor requirements, liberal arts and graduation requirements, and the total number of course credits needed to graduate.
Steps for Creating Your Plan
- Use the planning worksheet to lay out courses required for your possible major in sequential order paying attention to classes required to be taken before you are allowed to take other classes.
- Find information on what is required for each major in the The often indicates what semester and how frequently a class is offered. Although this is subject to change based on faculty availability. Some major departments have already created sample four-year plans.
- If you are considering a pre-health interest, refer to information on Health Professions. There are sample four-year plans available for many pre-professional programs.
- Look at how many credits and how much time you have for general education requirements and electives. Think of the 鈥淩ule of Thirds鈥: 1/3 courses for your major, 1/3 general education courses, and 1/3 courses available for electives.
- Are you trying to fit in a study away (study abroad) or internship semester? Can you tell which semester might be a good time to go? Which semester might have the least demand or most flexibility for taking major courses here?
- Do you have the option or interest in taking summer school or an online course? How will this impact your four-year plan? You need to from the Office of the Registrar before taking these classes to ensure the class will transfer into 麻豆视频.
- Have all of your CIS, AP, PSEO, IB or transfer courses been included in your plan? Do they appear on your Progress Report in ? If not, speak with your faculty advisor.
Use the 'View a New Program' button on the Progress tab in My麻豆视频 if you鈥
- Have not declared your major, but have an idea of different majors you wish to explore.
- Have declared your major, but may be changing your mind.
- Are curious about how close you might be to a potential major with the courses you have taken.
- Search for classes with a Subject Search or Advanced Search in Filter by Course Types and Terms to see your choices for fulfilling area requirements for the semester of your choice. Click the Add Course to Plan button to save it on your Course Plan and Timeline for future registration(s).
- Search the Course Catalog by department and read course descriptions, which include pre-requisites that are needed, which semesters they are offered, and what requirement areas they fulfill. The online Course Catalog will also give you a list of the classes that are required for a specific major.
Finding a Tutor
There are tutors available for many departments and programs. Check the list for times or ask your faculty about tutors for a specific class.
A list of tutoring times is compiled each semester and posted here.
Academic Accessibility Resources
Accessibility resources staff in the Academic Support Center are dedicated to providing equal access to the College鈥檚 curriculum, academic programs, academic services, and academic facilities. We partner with students to empower ongoing development, teach strategies for academic success, educate the campus community about disability as diversity, and encourage a welcoming climate.
Scheduling a Planning Appointment
Looking for more help? Schedule an appointment with a Peer Academic Coach or staff member in the Academic Support Center by (507) 933-7227, stop by the ASC Office (Anderson Hall 107), or schedule online.
First-year students and undeclared students wishing to 'try on' different majors can begin to create an academic plan with a Peer Academic Coach (PAC).
Upperclass students can meet with their faculty advisor, a faculty member in their area of interest, or make an appointment with ASC professional staff.
To prepare for a planning appointment, look at your Progress screen in My麻豆视频 and download/print a Academic Four-Year Planning Sheet (copies also available outside the ASC). Additionally, bring any idea or plans you have worked on!