Declaring a Major | Washburn University

What if I’m not sure what I want to major in yet?

That’s ok! Being unsure about your major is an opportunity, not a problem. Most students change their major at least once, and exploring different possibilities is part of the fun of college!
As an exploratory (undeclared) student, you will choose classes that meet General Education and University requirements. These classes will count toward any degree you decide to pursue.
You can also take introductory courses in various majors you might be interested in, to learn more about those fields of study.
Your Academic Advisor can help you identify introductory classes and General Education courses that might spark an interest in you.

Take a variety of courses. All degree programs have a General Education component – you may discover an interest you didn’t know about, or meet a professor who inspires you.
Check out Department websites for degree programs and requirements, course descriptions, career opportunities, and more. Academic Programs
Explore your interests, skills, values, and personality style by taking the free Focus 2 Career Assessment. (Access Code: Ichabods)
Experience is an effective method for exploring majors and careers. Washburn Career Engagement can assist you in finding internships or volunteer experiences in fields you might want to explore.
Academic Advisors in the Center for Student Success serve as a resource for information about majors and programs. Stop by Plass 315 to pick up information or to schedule a meeting with an advisor to chat.

Some majors may help you get a job by including a certification necessary for work in that field, while most do not – talk with your advisor to see if the program you want to pursue has a certification associated with it.
Some majors are specialized for a specific outcome (e.g. an Elementary Education BEd to teach in public schools, Nursing BSN to become a nurse, etc.), while some degrees are more varied, and can be applicable to many different types of jobs (e.g. Communications, Business, History, Psychology, etc.).
For any degree, it is important to both complete the degree and build professional relationships and connections in that field through your professors and fellow students. Connecting with your major advisor and faculty in your department can lead to letters of recommendation, internships, and even potential jobs.

A minor is like a mini-major; it’s a concentration in a particular area.
Typically, minors consist of 5-7 courses, some lower division and some upper division, in the chosen subject area.
A minor shows that you did extra work in that area at an advanced level, which can look more attractive for potential employers or graduate schools.
Some bachelor’s degrees require a minor as a requirement for graduation – talk to your academic advisor to see if that applies to your major.
You can only declare and earn a minor if you are declared in a bachelor’s degree program; you cannot earn a minor with an associate’s degree.

University policy requires that students officially declare a major no later than the completion of 60 credit hours (junior standing). Typically, students will declare a major at some point after their first year of college.
Acceptance into a major may vary by department, school, or college – some majors have additional admission requirements.
Students receiving Federal and/or State financial aid awards or other scholarships may have requirements for declaring a major early. Consult with Washburn’s Financial Aid Office if you have questions.
When you decide which major you want to declare, you will gain the benefits of being declared (listed below).

If you are certain of your program of study, there are advantages to declaring your major:

Receive an advisor who is an expert in your field of study, who can guide you with course selection, recommend the sequence of courses in your major, and suggest relevant General Education courses to take.
Become eligible for scholarships that are only for declared majors.
Participate in student organizations relevant to your major.
Network with other students in your area of study.

Every major’s declaration process is up to the department, school, or college, so there is not a standard one-size-fits-all answer. Some require applications, prerequisites, or other requirements to declare, and some are a simple email or online form. Check with your Academic Advisor to see what the process is for your intended major.