Student Academic Standards and Performance
Declaration of a Major or Minor - 1I5
Students are declared into a major of their choice at the point of acceptance to the University. It is then incumbent upon the student to maintain the outlined standards published for the major in order to be eligible to continue in the major.
- Transfer Student:
Transfer Students in good standing and in accordance with Policy 1E1 acceptance standards with University, will be declared into the major of their choice. Transfer students with 24 or more credit hours will be advised in their major advising unit. Transfer students with fewer than 24 credit hours; those who are admitted to the University and are not in good standing in accordance with Policy 1E1; or who are exploratory will be advised by the Office of First-year and Transitional Advising. Once this group of transfer students has attended the University for at least one semester, are in good standing, and have selected their major, they will be shifted to their major department for advising.
- Still Deciding Students:
- students who are still deciding upon a major after being accepted to the University will be considered Exploratory students. Students will work with a first-year academic advisor to determine the proper courses and other actions to effectively learn about and explore career and major options.
- Once students have made a determination of the Major and/or Minor they choose to study, they must discuss that decision with their academic advisor. The academic advisor will complete a Request for Declaration form which will notify the academic department and corresponding academic advising unit of a student's intended path of study.
- Change of Major:
If students choose to change their major, they will communicate that desire with their current academic advisor who will help the student to understand how the change will affect the student's time to complete a degree and then submit a Request for Declaration form on behalf of the student. Students will then be reassigned to a new advisor if necessary. Students who do not wish to continue in their current major but have not made a decision on a new major may be declared as an Exploratory student and work with the Office of First-year and Traditional Advising to choose a new major of study. - Second Major or Minor:
If a student wishes to add a second major or a minor, that request will be submitted by the student's academic advisor. Any student declared as an Exploratory student may add or continue to a minor. Upon receipt of the request for declaration, the communication of a new student will be shared with the academic department chosen. A student who is double majoring or who has a minor(s) may have multiple academic advisors in order to best support and inform the student of the degree requirements. - Request for Minor or Change in Minor:
Students who want to request a minor be added to their program of study will work with their academic advisor to add the minor to their student record. Students who want to change or delete their minor will also work with their academic advisor to have the minor updated or deleted from their student record. - Progress in Major:
A student who has failed to meet the retention standards of their declared major may be dropped from the major program and will be required to declare a different major or declare as an Exploratory student. Students who declare as Exploratory will be advised in the Office of First-year and Transitional Advising.
Approved by Chancellor effective 12/18/24
This policy was issued on January 1, 2025, replacing the July 1, 1996 version.
Document Reference: 1I5
Origin: CC 14-78/79; OP 2/2/87; CC 18-88/89; CC 20-88/89; CC 7-93/94; CC 15-95/96; OC 12/18/24
