What do minors do

Do your research, talk to your faculty advisor, and take at least one sample class in your minor to help you make this important decision. You may have the interest to do a minor but not the time and energy. Before committing to a minor , meet with your advisor to go over the requirements. Minors often are best for students with broad majors in business or the liberal arts.

They also work well for students on track for career paths in competitive fields. Majors in the hard and practical sciences tend to be very structured with little room for choice or flexibility. By taking that class, you fulfill a requirement in both programs without putting in extra time or effort. This tactic generally is most feasible for students who choose a minor similar to their major.

A student majoring in French may be able to minor in, say, European Studies or Translation Studies, simply by taking an additional class or two beyond what is required for the major. Another consideration is money. You must figure out if you can afford what may amount to an extra semester of work. Most minors require five or six classes, or about 15 to 18 credit hours, devoted to that area of study. If your major and minor course requirements do not overlap at all and you do not have AP, IB, or community college credits, you will have to be very wise about structuring your elective classes.

These require four to seven courses and will be closely related to your major. For example, only students majoring in English can choose the Digital Media Studies or Technical Writing specializations. In some programs, you can choose a double major or joint honours degree. This lets you really focus on two main areas of interest. Of the 40 or so courses needed to earn your degree, nearly all of them would be in your two majors. You can choose two majors in the same faculty, e.

You can also choose majors in different faculties, e. If you choose a minor, option, specialization, double major, or joint honours, it will appear on your diploma when you graduate. For example, you might graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English, a minor in biology, and a creative writing specialization. Minors, options, and specializations aren't available in all programs.

And in some programs, you can do a couple of minors, options, or specializations. If all these choices are confusing, just email our Visitors Centre and they'll connect you to the right person. At Waterloo, your major is your program when you apply to it directly from high school, e.

These are also called entry programs because you "enter" university through them. Other fields boast a longer tradition of requiring a graduate degree. Students whose hands-on training and ability to practice hinge on getting a postbaccalaureate education — including aspiring doctors and lawyers — may actually have more flexibility when it comes to choosing an undergraduate major. 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.

The major and minor a student chooses can have a large impact on what industry they enter, what jobs they qualify for, and how much money they earn. But the most important things a student learns in college might not even relate specifically to their major or minor. While hard skills and specific information often have a limited shelf life, soft skills — like critical thinking and creativity — retain their value and can be adapted over time.

These skills are thought to be developed through general education courses, making the liberal arts core of the college curriculum particularly valuable for students.

Still, it's critical that you choose the right major and minor. Consider your passions, skills, and goals to ensure you find success in your academic and professional endeavors. View the most relevant school for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to find your college home. College Majors vs. Share on Social. Studying for the GMAT? Here are the best GMAT prep courses to help you ace the exam and impress business schools.

Learn about underrepresentation in STEM. James E. Clyburn said the legislation is necessary because Black veterans were not given equal access to GI Bill benefits after the war. Compare your school options. Related Articles. Browse articles by Find The Right Career Path. Professional Development. Close Looking for the right fit? Sign up to get job alerts relevant to your skills and experience.