Declaring a Major
Early declaration of a major is essential to graduating in a timely manner. Students should contact an academic department advisor early to discuss the course of study leading to a major. Many majors have their own unique steps for applying to or declaring a major. Timing will vary depending on the major. Students should check both the University Catalog Programs of Study section and academic department website for steps and details. Students should expect to meet the specific requirements for majors and minors in the catalog that is current at the time they declare the major and minor to the appropriate department.
Under the Direct Admission to Major program, some majors allow newly admitted transfer and first-year students to be admitted to the major at the time of admission to the university and to be declared into the major prior to matriculation. In the spring each year, Academic Units will be able to opt-in to participate in the Direct Admit to Major program. Admissions will then add participating majors into the program for the following admissions cycle. All majors are categorized into one of three categories:
Open majors
Open majors can be declared by new and continuing students in good standing without additional requirements.
Majors with minimum requirements
Majors with minimum requirements can be declared by new and continuing students who complete prerequisites and/or meet minimum GPA requirements. All new or continuing students who meet the minimum requirements are admitted to the major.
Capacity-constrained majors
Capacity-constrained majors are selective and have extra requirements, which may include an additional application process. These majors are not available for Direct Admit to Major at the time of admission to the university. Students interested in capacity-constrained majors should contact an academic department advisor to discuss appropriate preparation for the major soon after beginning their studies at Western. Completing the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee entry, as space is limited.
Current students not already declared into a major or who wish to consider changing majors are encouraged to meet with the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center regarding choice of a major by the time they complete 60 credits or during the first quarter of enrollment if 60 or more credits are being transferred to Western. Academic Advisors can help students learn about and explore majors. Students are expected to apply to the department in which they wish to declare a major no later than the quarter following the quarter in which they reach their 90th credit. Students who do not declare a major, pre-major, or Phase I major by the time they reach 105 or more quarter credits are required to meet with an advisor each quarter prior to registering until they have declared a major. Advisors will support students in making sure they are on track to declare a major. Learn more about the 105 credit hold process on the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center’s website: aasac.wwu.edu/advising-holds.
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