Double major requirements

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pittsburgh
1

<p>Can anyone who is currently double majoring tell me if there is a certain amount of credits that can overlap between two majors? I know in the College of General Studies the answer is three, but I'm not sure how it works in A+S. </p>

<p>I'm aware that the simple answer is "ask your advisor," so no need to reply with that. I've emailed, and emails sometimes take a while for a reply. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>What are you double majoring in? Usually the closer related the subjects, the easier it is.</p>

3

<p>I don’t think there is such a limit in A&S.</p>

4

<p>I don’t think your question can be answered without knowing the majors. There is also something called a dual major when your majors have very little overlap.</p>

5

<p>Actually, the dual majors offered at Pitt are in disciplines that kind of overlap. Think Political Science-Philosophy, Economics-Statistics, etc. These aren’t really two separate majors, just majors that have classes required from two different departments.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for replying, everyone. I should have given more details.</p>

<p>Two majors= Film studies and English writing. Some courses are cross registered, I just don’t know if there is a limit.</p>

7

<p>I’ll try to answer the question to the extent that I understand the topic, which isn’t great given that my son is only a freshman. But double majors were a topic of interest for him and based on what he and I have read on Pitt’s website I think that:</p>

<p>Double or triple majors

  • can be majors in any discipline, regardless of how much or how little they overlap; obviously, the more they overlap, the easier it is to complete the combined requirements
  • I don’t remember reading about a general limit (i.e. one that applies to the entire A&S) on how many courses may overlap, so I’m assuming that there is none, but you would be well advised to read about the degree requirements for each of your intended majors to verify that there aren’t any department or major-specific restrictions</p>

<p>Joint majors

  • I believe this is what schrizto was referring to when talking about disciplines that overlap to some extent–or that simply make sense together
  • some departments, such as Mathematics, Philosophy, etc. do indeed offer them. They are described as multidisciplinary majors offered by two or more departments and they are designed in such a way as to eliminate or minimize redundancies. Therefore, they are typically considered to be a simpler alternative for students who would otherwise double or triple major in those areas. Some departments, such as Philosophy, even allow you to work with an advisor to design your own joint major.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

8

<p>Just something else to consider: Many Pitt departments offer a certificate program. The certificate is roughly halfway between a major and a minor. In my daughter’s case, she decided that the double major (in two unrelated fields) would be too many credits. (Don’t forget you also have many Gen Ed requirements to fulfill.) So she opted for a certificate in one of the disciplines.</p>