Choosing a Major and/or Minor

As part of the Colleges’ graduation requirements, students are required to complete the requirements for an academic major, including a capstone course or experience, and a minor (or a second major). Students are expected to declare their primary major before they register for classes during the second semester of their sophomore year, though they can do so at any time after their first semester at the Colleges. Early in their junior year, students should declare a minor or a second major.

To declare a major or minor, students should first identify academic areas that they are interested in and review the requirements of that degree program for fit with the student’s interests and academic trajectory. The chart below provides links to curricular descriptions, requirements, and declaration forms for all majors and minors. Once students have identified a major or minor that they wish to declare, they should print out the appropriate Major/Minor Declaration Form and approach a faculty member within that program to serve as their major/minor advisor. The potential advisor and student should discuss which requirements have already been met by the student’s courses and which ones still need to be addressed. Once the student and major/minor advisor have agreed to declare the major/minor, they should complete and sign the Declaration Form. After getting the signature of the department/program chair, the student should submit the signed document to the Registrar’s Office to formalize the declaration.

ADVISING TOOLS

• Course Catalogue
• The Educational Goals
• Aspirational Goals-Course List
• Guide to Completing Goals
• PeopleSoft Website
• Academic Day Scheduler
• Four-Year Academic Planner
• Online Forms

OFFICES AND PROGRAMS

• Hobart Dean's Office
• William Smith Dean's Office
• Office of the Registrar
• Center for Teaching and Learning
• Health Professions Program
• Joint Degree Programs
• Center for Global Education
• Career Services

ADDITIONAL CONTACT

DeWayne Lucas
Interim Provost and Associate Professor of Political Science
Email: lucas@hws.edu