The answer will help you determine which minor to choose. But the most important things a student learns in college might not even relate specifically to their major or minor. Minors are incredibly important because its another way to demonstrate to employers that you have an interest in something, Millay says. At Florida State University, postgraduate minors exist on an unofficial basis on the grounds that a master's or doctoral student takes at least 9 and at most 18 credit hours in a secondary field outside of his or her academic discipline. Changing majors usually means taking additional classes and more time to graduate. The major has certain requirements and will determine what sort of degree they receive. College Major vs. Minor: What is the Difference? | University HQ She holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern 2023 BestColleges.com, a Red Ventures Company, The Public Ivies, Little Ivies, and Other Ivy League Equivalents. What story are you painting for them?. For example, at the University of Southern California, students cannot take courses for their minor on a pass/fail basis. To complete a minor, students typically take around half as many credits in a secondary subject as they take for their major. While majors may require students to complete upwards of 60 credits of related courses, minors introduce students to an academic discipline without as many classes. Some schools are using research-based preventative programs. A minor is a group of courses in a particular subject or theme that complements your main area of study. A college or university minor is a secondary concentration of your undergraduate studies. The benefit to doing a major and minor combination is that it gives you time and a little more flexibility.. Others might see a minor as a creative outlet. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology. In this article, well explore all of that. Instead, students should be intentional about what minor they choose and make sure it serves a purpose for their educational goals, Millay says. Double Major: What's the Difference? Where a minor provides a more sustained program in a specific area, this allows students to branch out and take a few classes in multiple areas of interest.. Definition of a Minor. Get our complete rankings of Best Colleges. Ask an Alum: Making the Most Out of College, Emma Kerr and Cole ClaybournAug. 2020-21 Common Application Essay Option 4Solving a Problem, Foreign Language Requirement for College Admissions, Questions to Ask a College Representative, Ways to Stay Entertained Over a College Summer, What to Do If Your College Roommate Uses Your Stuff, The Definition of an Undecided or Undeclared Major, M.Ed., Higher Education Administration, Harvard University, B.A., English and Comparative Literary Studies, Occidental College. . However, you can add both your major and minor as qualifications in your resume. A college major refers to structured coursework that students take within a chosen primary field of study. The kind of classes you take depends on the major you pick. A minor is essentially a secondary interest students can choose to study . A college minor, while a potentially valuable way to explore a new field or supplement your major studies, can also lengthen your course of study without necessarily paying off. Essentially, it is a chance to branch out from your own area of study, whether that is to complement your degree or explore an interest. But students should consider how such a move fits into their degree program and whether it is worth any extra work and costs it may require. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. Because this is such an important decision, colleges and universities will give students plenty of time to pick a major. Departments set course requirements for minors. For example, if you are applying for a job in sales at a global company, having a minor in language studies or international affairs can make you stand out against someone who does not have a minor. This means that some of the most academically challenging majors are also some of the most competitive. Some do it to pursue another area of interest without committing to a full major course load. 1 Get Matched With Colleges I want my In Focusing on Search Colleges Are you considering earning a degree from a college or university? Academic minor - Wikipedia For some students, a double major may require only a few additional courses beyond a minor. It shows that you not only have knowledge of your field, but also of adjacent fields that can come in handy. In fact, if there is something else you are interested in other than your major, minoring in that field is an excellent idea. Areas of study that lead to lucrative career opportunities attract many students. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Since minors arent required at Lindenwood, Ralston says students typically fill those hours with electives. Answer: You can go about this in two different ways. Its focusing a certain number of courses toward a field of study that youre interested in, but not as many courses that would be required to have a full-blown bachelors degree major.. This is because theyre an international business that partners with people across the world. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. You may also be personally interested in gaining skills and training in a certain field but not interested in pursuing the topic to the extent that a major would require. An academic minor is a college or university student's declared secondary academic discipline during their undergraduate studies. It works to give you a different perspective, and future jobs like diversity as well. While a college minor is a great way to learn either more about your designated field or to learn about a field of study NOT related to your major, it is not the same as a degree. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Graduates in these areas can make over $75,000 per year early on in their careers. Academic major. From a career perspective, it's a way for students to demonstrate skills that employers might be looking for "and help them stand out as a candidate in a unique way," says Wendy Winter-Searcy, director of the Career Center at Colorado School of Mines. Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S. News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. Depending on the school and program, the difference between minoring and double majoring might only be 10 credits. You can be strategic in your minor and have it add value to your college major. Sometimes, students have already taken many of the required classes to add a minor. A university minor is optional and will take less of your time than a major to complete as you have fewer classes you need to take. Lets go over four of them.. A college minor, simply put, is a secondary academic disciplineanother subject to focus on in addition to the major. Courses are designed to be completed in a few weeks and can help you narrow your focus as you decide on a minor. Brenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. Business Analyst vs. Data Analyst: What Are the Differences? A minor is a secondary focus, after your major, that allows you to pursue a personal interest and demonstrate extra value to future employers. Sure, you can choose a major related to your chosen career, but that isnt always the case. Guidance counselors are divided over the value of declaring a minor, as it can easily prolong the time to graduation if not carefully scheduled. Most students have heard of college majors. College Major and Minor: Definitions and 4 Key Differences Students intending to become secondary education teachers often pursue a major degree in their teaching subject area and a minor degree in education. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmers market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Considering the differences among schools, prospective students should consult a school's degree plan for minor requirements. Lucier, Kelci Lynn. Generally speaking, a college major is the type of degree you earn at graduation. If a student has multiple interestseven interests that dont directly connect to each otherthey can minor in another field. verb (used without object) to choose or study as a secondary academic subject or course: to major in sociology and minor in art history. Copyright 2012-2023 College Raptor. Question: Is having a minor worth it? For instance, if youre a STEM major, you might want to pick a minor in the humanities to hone your communications and critical thinking. Sheryl Grey is a Houston-based freelance writer who specializes in creating content related to education, aging and senior living, real estate, wellness, digital marketing, and home improvement. What is a major? What is a minor? | Undergraduate Programs | University When successfully completed, it tells employers that the student dedicated the hours necessary to educate themselves in their chosen field or industry. Kelci Lynn Lucier has worked in higher education for over a decade. If you decide on a minor that compliments your major, it may make you seem like a stronger candidate. Some majors have a strict and demanding workload. However, its a compliment to your education that allows you to go in-depth in a second subject. However, requirements vary: Some minors may require up to 30 credits. Now that youve got a rundown of a college minor, well go over what you should consider when deciding whether to add one. Undergraduates typically complete 16-30 credits to earn a minor. Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. While every undergrad must eventually declare a major, you can earn a bachelor's degree without a minor. It may take a master's, doctorate, or other certification to stand out in a crowded field. Perhaps they major in a general field and use their minor to focus or specialize in a certain area. Your major will be what's listed on your diploma. Double majors can sometimes require students to stay in college longer, especially if they declare them later in their college career, Millay says. During every students time in college, theyll decide on a major, and some students will even decide on a minor. What Is A College Minor? - Forbes Advisor You dont have to select a minor that goes hand in hand with your intended career. Lucier, Kelci Lynn. You have two different options here: A great way to approach your minor is to choose your courses based on your career goals. A minor and a double major both allow you to gain subject matter expertise. Some students round out their undergraduate education by completing two majors. To fulfill your minor, you may have to forego the music class that youve always wanted to take. You may also want to improve your resume by taking courses and receiving training in a field you know employers are always interested in. While it's important to understand the projected income of different majors when considering your educational options, this shouldn't be your only concern. Minor degree refers to a supplemental second discipline of study and concentration that often complements the major. In the same vein, more classes mean less free time. Some schools offer pre-professional majors, such as pre-med and pre-law pathways, but many institutions encourage learners to choose any major they like, so long as they manage to check off the coursework requirements for medical or law school. Some go into college knowing exactly what they want to study, whereas others take years to decide. Explore Bachelors & Masters degrees, Advance your career with graduate-level learning, Build in demand career skills with experts from leading companies and universities, Choose from over 8000 courses, hands-on projects, and certificate programs, Learn on your terms with flexible schedules and on-demand courses. Working a part-time job in college can jump-start students' careers, but they should find a balance with schoolwork. At most colleges, undergrads complete 16-30 credits for a minor. Also like majors, minors have special requirementslike mandatory classes or a certain number of credit hours in the subjectin order to complete the program, though usually, the requirements are much less than that of the major. A university minor can also be entirely different from your major in a separate field that interests you. BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Once upon a time, everyone who went to college studied the same thing, receiving what was called a liberal education. You can build a series of electives that could help complement your major as well, he says. Should I get a college minor? Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. Many people minor in subjects that support their major. 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