Minor
A secondary field of study, requiring fewer credits than a major.
📚 What is a Minor?
A minor is a secondary field of study that complements your major. It requires fewer credits than a major and allows you to develop expertise in an additional subject area. Minors enhance your academic profile and can open doors to interdisciplinary career opportunities.
Minor Benefits:
Secondary expertise
Career flexibility
Resume enhancement
Interdisciplinary skills
Personal interest exploration
Minor Requirements
Credit Requirements
- 15-24 credit hours typically
- 5-8 courses in the field
- Fewer than major requirements
- Some overlap with general education
- Department-specific requirements
Declaration Process
- Usually declared sophomore year
- Department advisor approval
- Academic record review
- Prerequisite coursework
- Added to degree audit
📊 Popular Minor Combinations
Business + Arts
- Business + Psychology
- Marketing + Communications
- Finance + Economics
- Management + Sociology
STEM + Humanities
- Engineering + Business
- Computer Science + Design
- Biology + Environmental Studies
- Mathematics + Education
Liberal Arts
- English + Writing
- History + Political Science
- Psychology + Social Work
- Art + Art History
🎯 Strategic Minor Selection
- Career Enhancement: Skills that complement your major's career path
- Personal Interest: Subjects you're passionate about outside your major
- Graduate School Prep: Additional knowledge for advanced programs
- Marketability: Skills that make you more competitive in job markets
- Interdisciplinary Opportunities: Bridge between different fields
⚠️ Minor Planning Considerations
Academic Impact
- May extend graduation timeline
- Additional GPA considerations
- Prerequisite requirements
- Schedule conflicts possible
- Added coursework load
Opportunity Cost
- Could delay graduation
- Additional tuition costs
- Time commitment
- vs. internships or electives
- Career timeline impact
🏆 Career Benefits of Minors
- Differentiated Skills: Unique combination of expertise
- Networking Opportunities: Connections in additional fields
- Interview Advantage: Demonstrates breadth and initiative
- Career Flexibility: Multiple career paths available
- Professional Development: Well-rounded skill set
📈 Minor vs Major Comparison
Major
- 30-60 credit hours
- Primary field of study
- Career-focused
- Degree requirement
- Listed on diploma
Minor
- 15-24 credit hours
- Secondary field of study
- Interest/supplemental
- Optional enhancement
- Transcript notation
🧮 Plan Your Major, Minor, and GPA
Balance your academic requirements and track your progress: