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4 Decisions to Make About a Double Major

Think About Weighing Time to Degree, Better Alternatives and Career Goals

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Jason Lin adjusts his red dress on a mannequin
Jason Lin, a senior double major in design and psychology works on a dress that he designed for the Red Dress Collection. Using knowledge from both of his majors, Lin created a dress inspired by both the physical and emotional support systems needed to fight heart disease. (Karin Higgins/嘿嘿视频)

When you announce your plan to attend college, you鈥檒l often hear 鈥淲hat is your major?鈥 or a question related to your future goals and aspirations. Choosing one college major can be easy or difficult, especially with so many great course topics and majors to choose from at 嘿嘿视频.

What if you are interested in more than one major? This dilemma occurs for both high school students applying to college and for undergraduates discovering their possibilities once they are here. Consider these questions when trying to decide if you should double major in college.

1. Does a double major align with your career goals?

Portrait of female student standing in front of the California State Capitol
Ana Maciel 鈥16, a double major in gender, sexuality and women鈥檚 studies and Chicana/Chicano studies, is going to the University of San Francisco for a master鈥檚 degree in higher education and student affairs. She wants to work in institutions of higher education to expand educational access to undocumented students. (Karin Higgins/嘿嘿视频)

A double major might sound appealing if you have an interest in more than one subject. Not all majors offer direct links to career paths, and the future is full of unknown possibilities. Does a double major truly align with your specific postgraduate or career goals?

A double major could enhance your knowledge and skills for entering a particular field of work. Or it may do little to enhance your long-term goals.

To figure out those long-term goals, you will need to investigate your options. Read 鈥3 Paths to a Major When You Don鈥檛 Know What to Do鈥 to learn more.

2. Would a minor or graduate degree fit better?

Portrait of a male student in an indoor garden
Gabriel Johnson, a 嘿嘿视频 student from Minnesota, graduated in 2016 with a major in economics and minor in global disease biology. He also volunteered at the 嘿嘿视频 student-run Imani Clinic. (Gregory Urquiaga/嘿嘿视频)

Before you decide on a double major, look into your other options: a minor or graduate school?

For example, a double major in computer science and design will open doors to career opportunities in the latest trend of or occupations, while a double major in mechanical and electrical engineering would be better aligned with an undergraduate degree in one and a graduate degree in the other. Your academic advisors can help you figure this out.

Choosing a minor may be a more viable path to achieve your future goals, enhance your skills and explore your interests. For example, a at 嘿嘿视频 will give you experience working with students in kindergarten to 12th grade and insight to teaching careers. Or it could help you decide if is right for you.

A computer science minor will take less time to complete than a double major in another subject you want to major in along with computer science, and still provide you with technology skills.

If you are interested in pursuing a master鈥檚 degree or doctorate, completing a single major may be all you need to be accepted into a graduate program. For instance, an undergraduate degree in hydrology is all you need to prepare for an advanced degree in hydrologic sciences and related fields. You can learn more about graduate school and professional school opportunities by visiting an advisor at the.

3. Can you graduate in four years while finishing a double major?

library reading room with students studying
Expect to spend extra hours in the Shields Library Reading Room focused on studying for two majors. (Karin Higgins/嘿嘿视频)

If you are thinking of pursuing a double major, you must plan early to stay on a four-year track. Meet with an academic advisor in your first or second year, and work closely with this advisor to determine your best options.

Academic advisors in your college can help you understand more about coursework, requirements and implications for adding a second major. They can help guide you toward specific courses that will allow you to explore a second major more in depth, and may also satisfy to graduate. There are also cumulative credit limits at 嘿嘿视频 that may impact your options that your academic advisor can help explain.

The time to degree with a double major depends on the number of units required for each major, your study habits, time-management skills and persistence. Plan early, and you may not need more than four years of coursework to complete a double major. If you begin taking courses toward a double major in your second or third year of college, you will definitely need to take courses for more than four years to graduate.

Taking courses during may be an option to reduce the amount of time to degree. (Read 鈥4 Paths at Summer Sessions for Exploring Careers鈥 to check out ideas for double majors, minors and other career-enhancing courses.)

4.  Finally, have you discussed this idea with your advisors?

Woman pointing to paper in a session with a female student
Julie McGilvray, left, who specializes in advising for students in the arts majors, works with Devon Bradshaw, a double major in music and statistics. (Karin Higgins/嘿嘿视频)

If you are seriously considering a double major 鈥 or interested in exploring the possibility 鈥 meet with a major-specific undergraduate advisor to learn more about the unit requirements to achieve each major, estimate the amount of time required to complete a double major, and create an academic strategy to achieve your goals.

Some majors at 嘿嘿视频 may require too many units to be combined for a double major, and ultimately your college dean鈥檚 office will give the final approval for all requests for a double major based on the number of units.

Take advantage of the many campus resources as you make your decision. Academic advisors, faculty experts and career advisors at the are all well equipped to provide the guidance you need as you consider a double major.

A side note for arts majors: Think about taking the 鈥溾 workshops that I lead. I want to inspire students majoring in the arts to follow their passion, interests and discover careers in the arts. And it will help you answer the first two topics in this blog 鈥 careers and other options.

is an undergraduate advisor in the College of Letters and Science Arts Group at 嘿嘿视频. Previously, she worked as a professional career advisor. Julie was an art major during her first two years of college and eventually switched her liberal-arts major emphasis to psychology. She went on to complete a master鈥檚 degree in career counseling.

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