As your academic interests develop, you may find that the best option is to switch majors.
The steps below will show you how to explore major-change requirements, and request changing or adding a major.
Steps to change or add a major
Step 1: Do your research
If you are thinking of changing or adding a major, it’s important to first do some research on whether or how the change will:
- Impact the time to complete your degree: There are many variables that could impact your graduation timeline, including how far you are into your current major’s curriculum (if switching) or how many additional credits you will need to earn (if adding a major).
- Affect your financial aid package: Certain types of financial aid have time or credit limits. In addition, you may have received a department award based on your current majors.
- Align with your career goals: Our Career and Professional Development team can assist with career exploration, which can be the first step in changing or adding a major.
- Be a good fit for your interests: You can learn about other majors in a number of ways, including taking an intro class, joining a club or talking to faculty/other students.
Step 2: Meet with your advisor
We recommend you meet with your Undergraduate Advisor before requesting to add or change a major. The more research you do before that meeting, the better your advisor can assist you (though if you are stuck on any of the considerations above, your advisor will be happy to help).
- You can look up your advisor by your current major on our Find Your Advisor page.
- Before the meeting, we recommend putting together a list of questions or concerns you have.
- If they cannot assist directly, they can direct you to the right person/office.
Step 3: Submit your request to change/add a major
Find specific requirements for the major you want to add or change to on our Change/Add Major Tool. Follow the instructions listed for the major.
Some majors (such as Dodge majors or School of Communication majors) have a unique process. However, most requests to add/change a major can be made in your StudentCenter. The embed below covers how to change or add a program in your StudentCenter. The instructions cover adding a program first, and then changing.
