I want to double major when I go to college. Some schools make this easier to do, but others make it more difficult. Additionally, the ability to graduate in 4 years with a double
major is sometimes dependent on the school. I know that once you’re actually IN college, you can talk to a class advisor (I don’t know what their title is?) to answer questions about schedules, double majors, and what is/isn’t possible. But is there a way to meet with/talk to somebody about classes, double majors, things like that - either before applying to the school, or after being accepted? When I say after being accepted, I mean I’ve been admitted but before I’ve decided which school I want to enroll in. I’m worried that these questions I have will be unable to be answered until after I’m a student at the school. That would be bad because what if I enroll at a school intending to double major, and then realize this isn’t possible? So how can I get these questions answered before I actually choose to attend?
Most schools do not let you declare a double major until you are admitted and attend orientation where you can then talk to an advisor. Most colleges do post 4 year class plans for each each major so you can see if a double major is possible by comparing the courses and see how many of the major and prep courses overlap. Also most colleges post their requirements on how to double major and when you can declare. What majors are you interested in and which schools?
@Gumbymom I want to major in English and Psychology. Schools: UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, UCI, UCSC, UCR. Cal States: SLO, SDSU, Northridge, Long Beach. Also interested in: USC and Redlands.
My next question is about prereqs. I know that once you’ve completed prereqs for the second major, that is when you declare it. Do I need to announce that I’m taking prereqs for a second major too? Or do I just sign up for classes that meet the prereqs of the second major, then declare it when they’re all completed? I hope that made sense.
Lastly, you mentioned that most colleges post 4 year plans. If those are posted online, which part of the school’s website would they be found?
Each school has a different policy on declaring a double major.
UCSD’s procedure: https://students.ucsd.edu/academics/advising/majors-minors/declare-double-major.html
UCSB’s policy:
http://www.duels.ucsb.edu/advising/planning/major
It is always helpful if both majors are in the same college ie. Letters and Sciences.
Each university will again have their own policy on how and when to declare a double major so I gave posted 2 examples. Google each school for specifics
4 year plans can be found by googling each schools website
Some examples below
@Gumbymom Thanks for the links! They’re all very helpful. Also, I have one additional question for you that’s based more on opinion than anything else. I’m not entirely sure if I want to double major. My reason for thinking I want to is because I want to keep my career options open. English: I may want to be an English teacher or a lawyer; in California you have to have a bachelors degree in the subject you wish to teach/English can be helpful to study before going to law school. Psychology: I’m also interested in possibly being a psychologist, but I also think this major would help me in studying to be a lawyer or a teacher. If I end up wanting to be a psychologist, though, I think I’d want to continue schooling and get a masters in psychology. So I wanted to have both these majors so that my career choices are more open.
Once I’m in college, I plan to explore my interests more to help narrow down my career choice. However, let’s say I decide to do one major, because I won’t know how possible it is to double major until I’m in college taking the courses. For example, let’s say I decided to have one major: English, minor in Psychology, and take some elective classes related to law. I’d do this if I decided I want to be a teacher. But if I decide later on, when it’s too late to declare a second major, that I want to be a psychologist or lawyer instead, could I go to graduate school and study psychology/go to law school if I had taken elective classes in psych and law as an undergrad, or if I minored in one or both? I feel like that was a lot of explaining and may have been overly wordy and made little sense. Basically: if I decide to only have one major but I have a minor in something else, and later decide I want to study the subject I minored in when I’m in graduate school, is that a possibility despite my major as an undergrad being different from what I want to study in graduate school?
I don’t believe that I know anyone who has a graduate degree with the same major as their undergraduate degree. My mother has a bachelor’s in something to do with business and a master’s degree in computer science, my priest says that the college she went to as an undergraduate didn’t offer any kind of religious studies or theology major, so she majored in philosophy before attending seminary, and my grandmother has a master’s degree in psychology and a doctorate in sociology. None of these are super recent examples, but it seems that it’s pretty common to study something different from your undergraduate degree when attending graduate school.
Yes, you do not have to major in Psych to do graduate school. A minor can be sufficient but things due change so it is wise to keep all options open. Once you undertake your undergrad studies, you will figure out the best path.
@Gumbymom Is it possible for there to be enough room in my schedule to complete classes for my major, gen ed requirements, a minor, and explore some classes in education and law (exploratory classes to help me figure out my career or second minor)?
It is possible to graduate in 4 years, if you have a large overlap of pre-req and GE Courses, get a good amount of AP credit which would allow you to opt out of several of the GE/major pre-req courses, if you maintain a full load schedule and you are able to get all courses. English/Psych majors usually have more flexibility in their schedules vs. engineering/STEM majors.
Much will depend upon on you and what path you end up pursuing.
@Gumbymom thank you so much for all the help!
campus tours are a great way to learn about just about any college. You can sit down with someone in the English and Psych departments, go over the curriculum, etc, Most colleges will even let you sit in on a class or two - which will also allow you talk to existing students about their experience.
Find college forums or contacts of the current students and speak to them. There are lots of reviews from the students on Niche
OP is making this much more complicated than it is. Maybe you dbl major, maybe you don’t. But first, you try the first level/intro courses, then a little more, see how your interests start to evolve. By the end of 2nd year, you’ve experienced enough to choose.
For now, you can look at the course listings online, to see what is offered, that variety, and what the profs are interested in, their own academic activities.
Plenty of time.