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Division of Undergraduate Studies


Guide for Educational Inquiry

Students in a classroomI think I know what major I want.

Likely you have chosen your major because the description sounds good and/or you know someone in a related career and the job appeals to you. Confirm your selection by learning more about your major.

  1. Think about your interests and abilities.

    It's important for you to consider your personal characteristics and relate them to your choice of major.

    Choose at least one of the activities below and discuss the results with your adviser.

    • Take a quick online interest survey.

      Take the What major is right for you? quiz and bring the results the next time you meet with your DUS adviser.


    • Read and answer some open-ended questions about yourself.

      Go to Who are you?, write down your answers to the questions, and bring your answers with you the next time you meet with your DUS adviser.


  2. Learn more about your major.

    Read more about your major in the Majors section of the College Information Chart.

    • Link to the major; read the program description. (Is it what you are looking for?)
    • Look at faculty interests, activities, and research. (Does their work interest you?)
    • Learn about internships, co-ops, and careers. (Do they appeal to you?)
    • Find information about student organizations. (Would you want to participate in the activities?)

  3. Find out what you will study in your major.

    Most students who change majors do it because they don't like and/or don't do well in the required courses. Check out courses now to find majors that relate to your interests and abilities.

    Go to the College Information Chart, click on the RAP (Recommended Academic Plan) link for the college that offers your major, then click on the link for your major. Print the plan. (If there is no plan for the major, use the Bulletin listing instead.) Then:

    • Read the descriptions of the specified courses (e.g., MGMT 301, COMM 320, E MCH 211).

      If the major allows you to choose from a group of courses (e.g., “400 level CAS course of choice,” “400-level GEOG,” “PSYCH 4xx,” “Additional COMM 300/400”), read the descriptions of the possible courses in that group.

      If the Recommended Academic Plan indicates “courses from department list,” check the major's Web site to see if you can find the list. If you can't find it, your adviser can help you with this.

      Do the specified courses sound interesting to you? Are you able to choose courses that interest you from the alternatives? Do the courses take advantage of your academic strengths? Are they important to you?

    • Look at clusters of required courses, especially in the junior and senior years. How many major courses will you have to take each semester? Do you think you'll enjoy and do well in this combination of courses?

    • To really get a sense of what you'll experience in courses, check out Choosing Courses.


  4. Learn about entrance-to-major requirements.

  5. Use Additional Resources.

  6. Meet with your adviser.

    Schedule an appointment to meet with your DUS adviser to discuss
    • your interests and abilities (#1 above)
    • your Recommended Academic Plan (#2,3 above);
    • your entrance to college/major requirements (#4 above);
    • the additional resources you have used (#5 above);
    • your educational goals and plans to attain them.


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