With a double major, I’m assuming you take the same amount of credit hours for each to equal a major, as compared to a major/minor. So this would mean more classes, correct? Also, do you receive a BS/BA (whatever it is that is the degree for what you’re taking) for both the majors? Can you double major in unrelated things? (math/history, etc.)
@JCwill
Hello there, future (hopefully) double major here. Just posting this to follow the thread lol
It is more classes, and I have heard of people double majoring in two unrelated fields. I know of a guy double majoring in physics and philosophy, which I find amusing to no end when I think of it.
However, people tend to double major in related fields, simply because of overlap and credits that can be applied to both majors. For example, physics and math is a popular double major among my peers simply because the math major boosts your skills and authenticity, or so they tell me.
I’m not sure how the classes and credit hours would work out. That’s something you would have to ask the individual school I think.
You can double major in unrelated things. So say you wanted a B.A. in Spanish and B.S. in Psychology, that’s exactly what you would get. If you wanted to do a B.S. in Biology and B.S. in Neuroscience or a B.A in Communication Sciences and a B.A. in Chinese, then I believe you could.
You can double major in two unrelated fields. The credits don’t usually end up being double the amount of work because you have electives built in and use those to fulfill the second major. They also share the same general core courses. It also doesn’t necessarily mean more classes, just more courses for your majors, rather than electives that you would need to take anyways to reach the required number of credits to graduate.
Note that a B.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in Psychology is not a double major. This is what as known as a dual-degree and usually involves more courses and may involve added semesters. This is because you will most likely have to do two different general core sequences. With a dual-degree, you are issued two diplomas, not one.
I’m majoring in math and CS, with either a major in music comp/theory or a minor in music. At my university, a math and CS double major as a BS takes no additional classes from a math and CS double major as a BA because they take care of the core requirements for each other. I was considering doing a BS for math and CS and a BA for music, but it is a paperwork nightmare at my school, so I’ll most likely stick with BAs.
It depends on the school and the majors. You need to meet your school’s gen ed requirements to graduate, and then the major requirements for one, and then the other major. For example, my son is a double major in History and Poli Sci, and there is no overlap in those major requirements. He has to complete the coursework for two separate majors. in addition to his school’s gen ed requirements. It is true that courses in his major do count to his gen ed requirements. For him, at least, the double major means very few true electives because he is busy completing requirements for the two separate majors.
It usually just means fewer electives.