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Major ChangesIs a major change something you're considering? Perhaps you're declared as a biological sciences major but after taking that English 104 class, you heard celestial music telling you, "Now this is what I'm really supposed to be doing!" But will your parents be disappointed or upset if after graduation you're not headed for wearing a white coat and a stethoscope? Or maybe you're wondering just how long you can go undeclared because you haven't discovered the major that's a perfect fit. If either situation is resonating, listen up! Jo Ann Baca, academic counselor in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences dean's office, and Shivani Vasishta and Joey Y. Almario, peer advisers for Orientation 2008, have insights to share. TimingVasishta says the campus colleges recommend that students declare a major by spring quarter of their second year. "However," she says, "the timing somewhat depends on the student's circumstances. For example, when students are changing from biological sciences to neurobiology, physiology and behavior or exercise biology, they don't necessarily need to be in a rush because the first two-to-three years they'll be taking the same classes." In contrast, Vasishta advises a student changing from biological sciences to psychology or human development, for example, to switch as soon as possible. During Pass 1 of registration, some classes offered by departments such as psychology or human development are open only to students who have declared majors in those programs. Before changing majors, Baca advises students to meet first with their intended major adviser. Students who are undeclared and don't have clear ideas about what to major in can start with the dean's office of their college. "In our college," she says, "we require the undeclared/exploratory students either to declare a major by the time they reach 90 units, or meet with their intended major's adviser and submit a signed quarter-by-quarter study plan." The College of Letters and Science and College of Biological Sciences also require students to declare a major by the time they've completed 90 units. In general, students should make the decision to change majors by fall quarter of the junior year, says Almario. "That way the student will be able to meet with his or her new academic adviser and plan out the last two undergraduate years," he says. The "How To"As to the practicalities, the Office of the Registrar provides a change of major form online. It takes 6-8 weeks before the new major and/or college appears on SISWEB. To change from one major to another within a college, you need the consent of the department or committee in charge of your proposed new major. Admission into a major program may be denied by the program or by the dean if your grade point average (GPA) in courses required for the selected major is less than 2.000. Procedures for declaring a major are the same and the same conditions apply. If you wish to change to a major that has admission restrictions, you must comply with the special procedures and requirements for that major. If your change of major also entails changing colleges, a change petition, available at the dean's office and Office of the Registrar, must be endorsed by a faculty adviser of the new major you are selecting and signed by the dean of the college from which you wish to transfer. In addition, admission to the new college will require that dean's approval. To obtain that approval, you must be in good academic standing, meet all minimum GPA criteria, including those for the major, and satisfy any other admission requirements established by the new college. Baca says the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences requires the student to be in good standing both qualitatively, meaning grade point average, and quantitatively, fulfilling minimum progress requirements. Before declaring a major, consult with a faculty or staff adviser in that department or program. He or she can assist you in developing a program of study and file the petition to declare the major. Parental InvolvementWhat if your parents may not approve of the change? Perhaps they're expecting you to enter law school, and you've discovered anthropology is your passion. Almario says he faced this situation when he switched from civil engineering to art history. "Although the student's academic adviser is the best person to see," says Almario, "I would recommend visiting Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to discuss any possible emotional and psychological consequences when going through the process." Almario says he benefited from talking with a CAPS psychiatrist about his parents' possible reaction to his major switch. "It was very helpful and gave me some beneficial and refreshing insights," he says. Baca seconds Almario's suggestion. "When students are worried about their parents' approval of the new major, I suggest they make an appointment at CAPS as the professionals there are very good about helping students with that issue," she says. "Also, if the student is doing poorly in math and science, for instance, I suggest he or she let the parents know about that. It helps if the student researches some potential careers in the new major, so the parents will feel more comfortable with it. The Internship and Career Center is a good resource for this." Resources |