Switching Majors at American University

Colleges and Universities A-Z American University
1

I was recently accepted by American University as a transfer student by the School of Public Affairs with an intended major in Political Science. However, I’m starting to have second thoughts. I’m now considering switching my major to International Service or Arab World Studies.

How difficult is it to switch majors at American? Is it even possible?

Thanks.

2

I’m not sure if it the same for Transfer students, but Freshman Students are admitted AU as a whole and can change their major.

3

It may be more difficult for transfer students. I’d think about it some more and reach out to the School of International Service when you attend orientation. I’d imagine, if it is possible, you’d have to do it now.

4

The only reason why I’d say it’s hard to switch to SIS is that it requires the most credit hours. PoliSci is only 36 credits, while SIS is 57 credits. There are also require first year seminars that you need to take and a lot of prerequisites, so I’m not sure if I’d recommend switching. If you’re doing SIS, you’ll have to concentrate on a topic and a region, and I know some people don’t like being limited to only studying one region.

5

My kid did the opposite, and changed from International Studies to Political Science, and found that some of the required courses transferred very easily. Both majors require a hard course, World Politics. I would think you could change majors fairly easily, especially if done early on, so that you could do the First Year Seminar course and start your thematic area courses for SIS.You’ll need depth in another language, too, which SIS requires but Political Science doesn’t. Good luck!

6

Also - from the SIS degree requirements webpage: “students in other programs at American University who have completed the freshman year, should maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) to be considered for transfer to the school. For students who do not enter American University as International Studies majors, successful completion of SISU-105 World Politics FA3 (3) is required before the declaration of major.”