<p>I want/need a double major in marine biology and zoology to achieve my career goals, which is to be an animal trainer (preferably for marine mammals, but I'd LOVE to be able to work with all animals). So how hard is it? Since many of the classes would overlap, would that help? How long would this probably take? My parents say I can always go back and get another degree after the first four years, but wouldn't it save time and cash to do it at once? Also, if I did go back, would I have to retake the classes that the two majors have in common? Btw, I don't need to get more than a bachelor's in either major to reach my goals, so I don't have to worry about grad school.</p>
<p>Hi- I answered your other post about Auburn vs FIU.</p>
<p>A double major in 2 overlapping areas seems a bit pointless. It doesn’t really increase your options unless you’re interested in land based mammals equally. You might be better off to focus your electives to round out your education in addition to your work experience/internships. Classes in animal psychology, perhaps theatre or even tourism.</p>
<p>You might also want to think about a plan b. What if you couldn’t work as a trainer full time or it took years to break in? Is there anything else you might like to do?</p>
<p>The ease of double majoring in college can vary wildly from school to school. For example, my S went to a Jesuit university with a huge and not very flexible required core curriculum – without a lot of AP credits, it would be very hard to double major there. My D is at another school which has a smaller and more flexible general education requirement so many people at her college double major or have a major and a minor. </p>
<p>If you want to double major, I suggest that you look at the college’s core curriculum, the requirements for each major and go from there to see if you can fit it in. And minoring in the second related subject might be a possibility for you as well.</p>
<p>^ Above. Also it would depend on individual departments. Some departments will accept classes taken in another department as credit for their major as long as its related; others won’t.</p>
<p>I also agree that a double major in two closely related fields seems pointless; you could always major in marine biology and just take a few classes in zoology, or minor in it.</p>