What do I need to do to double major?

College Majors
1

<p>Hey guys </p>

<p>I just joined here today because I couldn't find the answer to my questions anywhere else so I hope I can get some help here.</p>

<p>I'm currently enrolled in community college and am going to transfer next fall to the university. I am very likely going to go to either Cal State San Marcos, UCSD, or San Diego State University. </p>

<p>My current major is psychology. </p>

<p>However I also have a deep passion for the communication field and feel that it compliments psychology wonderfully. I have basically been taking both psychology and communications at the community college both to the point where I could get an AA in either by next spring.</p>

<p>I don't really know how a double major works and I don't know if to have a double major you NEED to be in a specific pre defined double major program at the university or not. I would love to double major in psychology and communication if I find a way to do so.</p>

<p>Like I said I truly feel passion for communication as an art form as well as an important part of self growth and individuality and am NOT taking it simply because its the thing to do like a lot of people. I also feel very passionate about psychology.</p>

<p>I am a 3rd year student in community college and by the time I transfer I will have a year of research experience working at UCSD in the behavioral science department as well as 2 years experience on my colleges intercollegiate forensics team. (Speech and debate). </p>

<p>I am also a member of psi Beta psychology honors society and a member of a research scholars program at my college called Bridges. </p>

<p>Furthermore I am the first person in my family to go to college, and come from a low income family making less than $14,000 a year. Currently going to school on Financial aid. I want to make my family proud and finally be the person who makes something of himself :)</p>

<p>I am trying to do as many things that will make me stand out in both of those fields and look good on paper to transfer. I am trying to go above and beyond in both psychology and communication. I actually take both of those subjects very serious and to heart. I want to get a psy.D or a ph.D in psychology and at least a M.A in communication. My GPA is currently a solid 3.3 and I plan to keep it that way. </p>

<p>I would like to know how and if it is possible for me to sign up as a double major in one of those three schools. </p>

<p>What are the requirements for a double major from your knowledge if any other than declaring it when you get to the school of your choice?</p>

<p>Does your school have to offer a special path for a double major in 2 fields?</p>

<p>lastly I would love to hear from people who have actually done a psychology and communication double major if any are here. </p>

<p>Thank you so much hope to hear some answers soon :)</p>

2

<p>Generally speaking, people create a double major by figuring out a way to get lower level courses to “double count” and then using electives to fill in the upper level requirements of the second major. It’s not hard, but the actual rules vary by university and sometimes college. Mostly it’s a matter of filling out paperwork and making sure you meet the two sets of requirements.</p>

<p>You <em>might</em> have some trouble because your two fields are likely in different colleges or schools within the university. When you’re getting ready to transfer, talk to the admissons people AND to advisors in both departments about how to engineer your double major.</p>

<p>As for graduate school - you won’t have time to do 2 unrelated grad programs simultaneously. PhD programs are full time jobs (and then some) and the department will expect and demand your complete dedication. You may also find that to be a competitive candidate for Psych programs you’ll need much more undergraduate preparation than merely fullfilling a major (though it sounds like you’re well on the way with that) so be sure that comes up when talking to your Psych departmental advisor(s). </p>

<p>Now, at this point your GPA might be a little low to be really competitive - again, something to discuss with your academic advisors. Do a search in the Graduate School forum for “Psych GPA”; I’m sure there’s TONS of info. Lots of info here as well: [Psychology</a> Graduate Applicant’s Portal](<a href=“http://www.psychgrad.org/]Psychology”>http://www.psychgrad.org/)</p>

<p>Finally, extracurriculars are irrelevant to graduate applications - keep up with forensics if you enjoy it, but be ready to walk away if it starts to impact your academics.</p>

<p>Congratulations on being first in your family and good luck!</p>