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Majors and Minors

Graduation
Requirements

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Each student completes at least one major as a part of the degree program. Although not required, many students also elect to complete a minor area of study.

Each candidate for the bachelor's degree must complete one major with at least a 2.0 grade point average (C). Department requirements for the major are those in effect at the time the student declares the major. Changes in departmental requirements after a major is declared may apply provided they do not require a student to enroll in more than a normal course load in any semester or do not prolong the time to meet degree requirements.

Departments are responsible for determining that each student in the major is sufficiently prepared in the field as a whole. Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive evaluation is required for graduation. Students are notified by the department of the evaluation procedures used by the seventh week of the first semester of each year. Methods of evaluation include one or more of the following: a seminar; thesis; appropriate project; or departmental comprehensive examination.

Students who do not perform satisfactorily on a comprehensive examination the first time have the right to be reexamined once. Students must pass the comprehensive examination within one academic year after the first commencement date following the initial examination. At the discretion of the department, a student may take a maximum of two re-examinations.

Declaring a Major:

Students select a major, an adviser in their major department and file an official major card with the Office of the Registrar by the sixth week in the second semester of the sophomore year. Students planning for a study abroad program should declare a major during the first semester of their sophomore year.

Departmental Major:

The department major consists of eight to 10 courses in a single academic department, including at least three courses at the 300-400 level. A department may designate as many as two courses from other departments as requirements of its majors. A department may also require as many as six courses from related departments; however, the total number actually required may not exceed 14 courses.

In departments designated as single-subject departments, i.e., history or political science, at least 19 of the 31 courses required for graduation must be outside the major subject. In departments designated as dual-subject departments, i.e., sociology and anthropology or modern languages, a minimum of 21 courses must be outside the student's major subject, and 16 of these 21 courses must be outside the major department.

Provided at least three courses in the program are counted in the major department, students participating in the New York Arts Program and the Washington Semester must take at least 19 courses outside their major subject.

Students participating in language-intensive study abroad programs also may have fewer than 21 courses outside the major. The number required outside the major may be reduced by the number of language courses required by the international program, but at least 19 courses must be outside the major.

Two Majors

Students who maintain a 2.8 scholastic average may complete a maximum of two majors. Students must meet all requirements for each major.

Go to the Office of the Registrar Major Page

E-mail questions or comments to: sbates@depauw.edu