Undeclared Student Resources

Choosing & Declaring a Major/Minor

At Western State College there are several programs and services that can assist you in selecting a major. Just like a road map can help you get where you need to go, there are tools that can help point you in the best direction to a major that is right for you. Take some time to look through this page, it will help you start thinking about what is involved in choosing a major. Also, think about planning your time at college.

The Career Services offer a variety of services throughout the academic year including:

• DISCOVER: a web-based program designed to help you learn more about yourself, majors, and career options.(Once at the DISCOVER website enter WSC- "your student ID" For example, WSC-111111 then hit submit and create your own password).
• Myers Briggs Type Indicator: a personality inventory to help you understand your personal work style and preferences.
• True Colors: a personality inventory that will help you identify values and preferences in work and life.
• Keirsey Temperment Sorter: a personality inventory to help you understand your work style and how to relate it to others.
• Values Card Sort: a card sort tool to help you identify and prioritize work values.
• Discovering Your Major Workshops

The following sites can also help you become more aware of your interests and strengths:

Tips for Choosing a Major

Gathering information about potential majors can help you understand if you have an interest in that area and what possible careers are available to you. There are many resources and strategies available that can help you decide on a major, here are a few:

• Click Here to look at the list of possible majors offered at Western. Narrow the list and then visit each programs website. Look for descriptions of the majors in the Catalog. Cross off those that you are not interested in. Leave on your list any questionable majors or those that arouse some further curiosity.
• Gather Information: Visit each department. Use the online DISCOVER Program through the Career Services Office to explore values, skills, and preferences for certain areas of study. (Once at the DISCOVER website enter WSC- "your student ID" For example, WSC-111111 then hit submit and create your own password).
• Explore your options: Take a variety of classes that interest you. Interview professors and professionals in the area(s) of your interest about the majors to clarify the nature of the major, the types of skills and course work required. Resolve any questions you have, such as, do I need a minimum GPA, or can AP credit fulfill a prerequisite? Decide on and declare a major. Remember you should declare a major by the end of your sophomore year, but once you choose a major, you CAN change it.
• Make parallel lists of prerequisite courses for each major you are still considering. You will probably have narrowed the list to four or five majors. Frequently, these majors will have similar or overlapping prerequisite courses. Use these lists to select courses for future terms.

• If you are considering several majors, enroll in a test course in each over one or two semesters. Select meaningful courses that fulfill prerequisites or general education requirements.

• Narrow your list of possible major's term-by-term. Don't pursue one major at a time and discover you don't like it, switch to another and discover the same. Pick a selection of five, and after one term narrow to four or three. The following term, narrow the choices further. That way you don't get painted into a corner without a major prepared.

• Talk to other students in your courses as well as the faculty teaching them. Visit the Career Services Office and use the literature on majors and careers. Attend departmental undergraduate association events and pick up the undergraduate association newsletters that some departments publish. Gather all of the information you can. Don't count on one course to inform you fully.

  DO NOT let a single course turn you off to a major. The entire major may not be reflected, for example, in English 102.

  DO NOT let one instructor turn you off if you are interested in the reading, the general subject, and the future courses you would be taking.

  DO rethink seriously, say, a social science major if you absolutely hated Economics or Political Science.

• Try to use your first two years for experimenting and testing in an organized and thoughtful manner. Scatter-shot selection of courses doesn't work for many majors, especially if they have four or more prerequisites (many of which must be taken in sequence order.

• The College Board Online Career Search lists and describes many occupations with information that includes job outlook, estimated salaries, and any training or education neccesary for various careers.

Declaring Your Major

To declare a major, go to the academic department that houses your intended major. That department will assign you a faculty advisor. Be sure to get a program sheet to ensure proper course selection.

Timeline for Major Selection

A major should be declared by the end of your sophomore year. However, consult your faculty advisor to determine if your intended major requires an early commitment.

Changing Your Major

You can change your major as many times as you like. However, changing your major may delay your graduation date since many degree plans require classes in a sequential order.

To change your major:

• You will need to complete the Request to Change Major, Minor and/or Advisor Form, which can be obtained from the Registration Service Office, located on the second floor of Taylor Hall or you may follow the link above to the form.

• You will then notify the academic department you wish to declare your new major in.  That department will assign you a new faculty advisor. Be sure to get the new program sheet to ensure proper course selection.

• You will need to get the Request to Change Major, Minor and/or Advisor Form signed by the advisor and return it to Registration Services.

All about the Minors (Academic Minors That Is)

A minor is an 18-23 credit hour program you may complete in a second area of interest other than your major. Minors can be used to pursue additional career interests by either broadening your career options or better qualifying you for a specific field. You can declare a minor in the same manner as you declare a major.

Myths about Majors

In selecting a major you are NOT choosing a career. While certain majors such as Computer Science and Accounting prepare students for fairly specific  career fields, a large number of majors do not have a direct correlation with given career areas. Liberal Arts majors often find that they have a wide variety of career options because of a broad background.

Job market demand should NOT be the primary determinant of academic and career choices. Selecting a major and pursing a career just because it is “hot” in the job market can be risky. Often times it is better to select a major or chose career goals that interests you because job market demand moves in cycles.

Maximize your learning to go beyond your course work in your major. Supplementary courses, study abroad experiences, internships, and other co-curricular activities can enhance your college experience. Graduate schools and employers place a high value on the entire college experience.

Majors and Minors at Western State College

To learn  about each major/minor Western State offers, please Click Here>>