How does a major compare to a degree in terms of career impact?

A degree signals your educational level to employers, while a major demonstrates your specific expertise; however, many careers accept any degree, making the major less critical for jobs outside technical fields.

Which is more important for a job, a major or a degree?

A degree is generally more important for entry-level positions, as 74% of employers require a bachelor's degree, but a relevant major can boost your starting salary by an average of 15%.

Does a major cost more than a degree?

No, a major does not cost extra; you pay the same tuition for your degree, but choosing a major with required labs or studio time can add $200-$500 per course in material fees.

Is it risky to choose a major without knowing the degree requirements?

Yes, picking a major without reviewing degree requirements is risky because you may take unnecessary courses, delaying graduation by up to two semesters and adding $10,000 in extra tuition costs.

Can a major and a degree be used interchangeably on a resume?

No, a major and a degree are not interchangeable on a resume because you list the degree (e.g., B.S. in Biology) but only mention the major when it differs from the degree title, like a B.A. with a Biology major.

What is a real-world example of a major versus a degree in action?

A student earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology has a degree in science, but if they major in cognitive psychology, they qualify for research assistant roles that specifically require that major's coursework.

Can I switch my major after starting a degree program?

Yes, you can switch your major after starting a degree program, but 30% of students change majors at least once, and doing so after your sophomore year adds an average of one extra year to completion.

Does a minor count as part of a major or a degree?

A minor is a separate, secondary concentration of 15-18 credit hours that complements your major, but it does not replace any degree requirements and appears separately on your transcript.

What is the difference between an undeclared major and an undecided degree?

An undeclared major means you have not chosen a specialization, but you are still pursuing a degree; an undecided degree is not a real term, as you must enroll in a degree program to take courses.

Difference Between

Difference Between Major and Degree

Written byNex Virox Team

Editorial Team

Reviewed byVarshal Nirbhavane

Senior SEO & Organic Growth Professional · 5+ years

Published: September 8, 202620 min read

Quick answer

The main difference between Major and Degree is that a major is the specific field of study you concentrate in, while a degree is the overall credential you earn upon completing all academic requirements. Major is a focused subject area, such as psychology or engineering, while degree is the formal qualification, such as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.

Key takeaways

Core distinction: A major is your specialized field of study, while a degree is the overall credential you earn upon completion.
How each works: A major typically requires 30-36 credit hours, whereas a bachelor’s degree totals about 120 credit hours including general education.
Cost and effort: Changing your major rarely adds cost, but switching degree types (e.g., BA to BS) can add 15-30 extra credit hours.
Best-fit use case: Choose a major for career focus, but select a degree level (associate, bachelor’s, master’s) to meet job market entry requirements.
Common mistake: Assuming your major dictates your degree title—many degrees (like a Bachelor of Arts) allow dozens of different majors.

Table of Contents18 sections

Difference Between Major and Degree: Comparison Table

Aspect	Major	Degree
Definition	A major is a focused area of study within a bachelor's program, typically 30-36 credit hours.	A degree is the formal academic credential awarded upon completing a full program, usually 120 credit hours.
Purpose	A major provides specialized knowledge in one discipline, such as biology or economics, to build career-specific skills.	A degree certifies broad academic achievement and general education competency across multiple subject areas.
Core Mechanism	A major structures upper-division coursework, electives, and capstone projects around a single subject theme.	A degree bundles general education, major requirements, and electives into a complete, accredited academic package.
Structure	A major consists of required courses, prerequisites, and electives within one department, often with a thesis option.	A degree includes general education (30-40 credits), major courses, and free electives across four years of study.
Performance Metric	A major is measured by major-specific GPA, usually requiring a C or better in each required course.	A degree is measured by cumulative GPA across all courses, typically requiring a 2.0 minimum for graduation.
Cost Range	A major's cost varies by department; lab-based majors like engineering add $200-$500 per course in fees.	A degree's total cost spans $40,000-$120,000 at public universities, with private institutions reaching $200,000.
Speed	A major takes 2-3 years of concentrated study once general education prerequisites are complete.	A degree takes 4 years full-time, but 5-6 years is common for students working part-time or changing majors.
Accuracy	A major precisely signals job-specific expertise, like nursing or computer science, to employers and graduate schools.	A degree broadly indicates completion of higher education, but does not specify field competency without a major listed.
Durability	A major's relevance fades as industries evolve; technical majors like IT may need updates within 5 years.	A degree retains lifelong value as proof of critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills for any career path.
Scalability	A major allows double majors or minors, adding 15-30 extra credits to expand interdisciplinary expertise.	A degree can be scaled to associate (60 credits), bachelor's (120), master's (30-60), or doctoral (60-120) levels.
Maintenance	A major requires ongoing course sequencing, department advising, and prerequisite tracking each semester.	A degree requires maintaining continuous enrollment, residency requirements, and filing graduation paperwork.
Safety	A major carries risk if the field contracts; for example, journalism majors face shrinking job markets.	A degree offers safety through transferable skills, but unemployment rates for graduates vary by field from 2% to 8%.
Compatibility	A major pairs with internships, research projects, and professional certifications to enhance practical application.	A degree aligns with graduate school admission, employer HR filters, and professional licensure requirements.
Availability	A major is offered at most 4-year institutions, but niche majors like astrophysics exist at fewer than 50 universities.	A degree is available at 4,000+ accredited US colleges, including online, community college transfer, and evening programs.
Example	A major in psychology includes courses in abnormal psychology, statistics, and research methods.	A Bachelor of Arts degree includes psychology major courses plus humanities, science, and math general education.
Typical Users	A major is used by students seeking entry into specific careers like accounting, teaching, or graphic design.	A degree is used by graduates pursuing management roles, further education, or jobs requiring any bachelor's credential.
Limitation	A major restricts flexibility; switching majors late can add 1-2 semesters of extra coursework and cost.	A degree alone does not guarantee employment; 40% of graduates work in jobs not requiring their degree.
Best-Fit Scenario	A major fits students with clear career goals, like pre-med or engineering, needing specialized technical training.	A degree fits students seeking broad intellectual development, career flexibility, or uncertain long-term career direction.
Transcript Listing	A major appears as a declared field on transcripts, often with a concentration or emphasis noted separately.	A degree appears as the credential type (BA, BS, BFA) conferred at graduation, with date and honors listed.
Admission Requirement	A major often requires a separate application, minimum GPA, or portfolio review after the sophomore year.	A degree requires university admission, typically based on high school GPA, test scores, and application essays.
Faculty Interaction	A major involves close work with department faculty, including advising, research supervision, and mentorship.	A degree involves limited interaction with general education professors, often in large lecture classes of 100-300 students.
Curriculum Depth	A major provides deep exploration, with 10-12 advanced courses in one discipline, including seminars and labs.	A degree provides breadth, requiring courses in arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences for well-rounded learning.
Career Directness	A major directly maps to occupations like nursing, architecture, or social work with licensure pathways.	A degree offers indirect career preparation, with skills applicable to diverse roles in business, government, or nonprofit.
Graduate School Impact	A major determines graduate program eligibility; e.g., chemistry major required for PhD programs in chemistry.	A degree is the baseline for graduate admission, but programs may require specific major coursework or GRE scores.
Flexibility	A major allows elective choices within the department, but core sequence is rigid and sequential.	A degree allows course selection across departments, but general education distribution requirements limit free choice.
Assessment Type	A major uses discipline-specific assessments like lab reports, design portfolios, or clinical evaluations.	A degree uses cumulative assessments including final exams, capstone projects, and comprehensive senior theses.
Time to Declare	A major is typically declared by the end of sophomore year, but some programs require declaration as freshmen.	A degree is conferred only after all requirements are met, usually at the end of the fourth or fifth year.
Post-Graduation Value	A major signals specialized skills to employers, with starting salaries ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 by field.	A degree increases lifetime earnings by roughly $1.2 million compared to a high school diploma, per US Census data.

What Is Major?

A major is the primary, specialized field of study you choose within a bachelor's degree program. It determines roughly 30–50% of your coursework, shaping your expertise and career direction. A major exists to provide focused academic depth, ensuring you graduate with marketable skills and a clear professional identity.

Definition of Major

A major is a structured, credit-bearing concentration of courses—typically 10–14 classes—within an undergraduate degree, comprising 30–50 semester credit hours. It requires completing required core courses, electives, and a capstone or thesis. Your major is formally declared, appears on your transcript and diploma, and directly influences your post-graduation job eligibility.

Key Characteristics of Major

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Credit weight	30–50 semester hours, roughly one-third to half of your total 120-hour degree requirement.
Course structure	Includes required foundation courses, advanced electives, and often a final capstone project or thesis.
Declared status	Officially selected, usually by sophomore year, and changeable with advisor approval before senior year.
Transcript visibility	Printed on your official transcript and diploma, making it the primary credential employers verify.
Faculty alignment	Courses are taught by professors within one academic department, ensuring consistent expertise and mentorship.
Career linkage	Directly maps to job titles, graduate programs, or professional certifications in that specific field.
Prerequisite chain	Sequential courses build on prior knowledge, so early grades determine your ability to progress.
Flexibility limit	Restricts free electives to 20–30 credit hours, reducing room for unrelated exploratory coursework.
Assessment style	Uses major-specific exams, lab work, portfolios, or clinical rotations rather than general education tests.
Time to completion	Typically requires 2–3 years of concentrated study after general education prerequisites are finished.

Common Examples of Major

Computer Science – Focuses on algorithms, data structures, and software engineering, leading to developer or systems architect roles.
Mechanical Engineering – Covers thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and materials science, preparing for manufacturing or aerospace careers.
Nursing – Combines anatomy, pharmacology, and clinical rotations, qualifying graduates for registered nurse licensure exams.
Psychology – Studies cognition, developmental stages, and behavioral research methods, enabling counseling or human resources paths.
Finance – Teaches portfolio management, corporate valuation, and risk analysis, leading to investment banking or financial planning jobs.
Biology – Explores cellular processes, genetics, and ecology, forming the foundation for medical school or research positions.
Marketing – Covers consumer behavior, digital advertising, and market research, preparing for brand management or analytics roles.
Political Science – Analyzes governance systems, public policy, and international relations, leading to law school or government work.
Graphic Design – Develops typography, layout, and digital illustration skills, producing portfolios for agency or freelance careers.
Elementary Education – Includes child development, classroom management, and student teaching, leading to state teaching certification.

Advantages and Limitations of Major

Advantages	Limitations
Provides deep, job-ready expertise that makes you competitive for entry-level roles in your chosen field immediately after graduation.	Locks you into a narrow specialty early, making career pivots costly if your interests change after junior year.
Creates a clear academic narrative for resumes, cover letters, and interviews, helping recruiters quickly match you to open positions.	Requires completing rigid prerequisite sequences, leaving little room to explore unrelated subjects or double-major options.
Builds a professional network through department-specific professors, guest speakers, and alumni events that directly connect to industry hiring.	May become obsolete if the field evolves rapidly, forcing you to pursue additional certificates or master's degrees to stay relevant.
Offers access to specialized resources like labs, software licenses, and research funding that general students cannot use.	Creates grade-point pressure since major-specific courses are often more rigorous and weighted more heavily in GPA calculations.
Aligns with professional accreditation or licensure requirements, such as engineering ABET certification or nursing NCLEX eligibility.	Can be expensive if required courses demand lab fees, studio materials, or off-campus clinical travel that general electives avoid.

What Is Degree?

A degree is a qualification awarded by a college or university upon completion of a prescribed course of study. It certifies academic achievement, typically after three to six years of full-time study, and serves as formal recognition of knowledge and skills for employment or further education.

Definition of Degree

A degree is an academic rank conferred by an accredited institution, signifying the recipient has met specific curricular, credit-hour, and examination requirements. It represents a standardized credential, ranging from associate to doctoral levels, that validates mastery in a defined field and enables professional licensure or advanced study.

Key Characteristics of Degree

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Credit requirement	Most bachelor's degrees require 120 semester credit hours, typically completed over four years of full-time enrollment.
Institutional accreditation	Degrees only carry value when granted by schools recognized by regional or national accrediting bodies, ensuring quality standards.
Level hierarchy	Associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees form a sequential ladder, each requiring the previous level for entry.
Curriculum structure	Degrees blend general education courses, major-specific classes, and electives, usually with a 40-60% split toward the major.
Assessment methods	Completion requires passing exams, papers, projects, or a thesis, with cumulative GPA thresholds often set at 2.0 or higher.
Duration variance	Associate degrees take two years, bachelor's four, master's one to two, and doctorates three to seven years of study.
Transferability	Credits from accredited degrees transfer between institutions, though policies vary, with many schools capping transfer at 60-90 credits.
Professional impact	Many careers, including teaching, engineering, and law, legally require a specific degree level for licensure or certification.
Cost implications	Average bachelor's degree costs range from $40,000 at public schools to over $200,000 at private universities, including tuition and fees.
Lifelong validity	Degrees do not expire, but professional fields may require continuing education credits to maintain active status.

Common Examples of Degree

Associate of Arts - A two-year general studies credential from community colleges, often used as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree.
Bachelor of Science - A four-year degree focused on technical or scientific disciplines like biology, computer science, or engineering.
Bachelor of Arts - A four-year degree emphasizing humanities, social sciences, or fine arts, with broader elective flexibility than a B.S.
Master of Business Administration - A professional graduate degree in management, typically requiring two years and prior work experience.
Master of Science - A research-oriented graduate degree in fields like physics or nursing, often including a thesis component.
Juris Doctor - A professional doctorate in law, requiring three years of study and passage of the bar exam for practice.
Doctor of Medicine - A medical degree earned after four years of medical school, followed by residency training for licensure.
Doctor of Philosophy - The highest research degree, requiring original dissertation work, typically taking five to seven years.
Associate of Science - A two-year technical degree in fields like nursing or information technology, leading directly to entry-level jobs.
Master of Fine Arts - A terminal graduate degree in creative fields such as writing, film, or visual arts, focused on studio practice.

Advantages and Limitations of Degree

Advantages	Limitations
Degree holders earn a median weekly income of $1,493, compared to $899 for high school graduates, a 66% wage premium.	Rising tuition costs leave the average graduate with $37,000 in student loan debt, requiring years of repayment.
Bachelor's degree holders face an unemployment rate of 2.2%, roughly half the 4.1% rate for those without a degree.	Many degree programs do not teach practical job skills, leaving graduates unprepared for specific workplace tasks.
Degrees open doors to professional licensure in fields like medicine, law, and engineering that prohibit non-degree entry.	Degree inflation has pushed employers to require bachelor's degrees for jobs that previously only needed high school diplomas.
College education develops critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills that transfer across multiple career paths.	Four years of full-time study means delayed workforce entry, costing potential earnings of $50,000 or more annually.
Degree holders have greater job mobility, with access to management roles and positions offering advancement pipelines.	Degrees can become obsolete in fast-changing technical fields, requiring additional certifications or retraining every few years.
Graduate degrees specifically enable specialized careers in academia, research, and healthcare leadership positions.	Not all degrees are equal; for-profit and unaccredited institutions produce credentials with little employer recognition.
College graduates report higher job satisfaction, with 62% saying they are very satisfied versus 48% of non-graduates.	Degrees do not guarantee employment; 41% of recent graduates work in jobs that do not require their degree level.
Degree completion builds a professional network of peers, professors, and alumni that facilitates job referrals.	The opportunity cost of tuition plus lost wages can exceed $200,000 for a bachelor's degree, a significant financial gamble.
Degrees provide structured learning pathways with clear milestones, unlike self-directed learning which lacks formal validation.	Rigid degree requirements force students to take unrelated courses, wasting time and money on irrelevant material.
Higher education correlates with better health outcomes, with degree holders living longer and reporting fewer chronic conditions.	Degrees carry no guarantee of skill mastery; grade inflation means a 3.5 GPA today may not reflect true competency.

Similarities Between Major and Degree

Shared Aspect	How Major and Degree Are Alike
Academic Credential	A major and a degree both represent formal academic achievements recognized by accredited institutions.
Program Completion	Both a major and a degree require successful completion of a structured course sequence.
Curriculum Foundation	A major and a degree both rely on core coursework plus elective credits for fulfillment.
Credit Requirements	Both a major and a degree demand a specific minimum number of college credits.
Transcript Notation	A major and a degree both appear as official entries on a student’s academic transcript.
Graduation Milestone	Both a major and a degree are conferred at graduation after all requirements are met.
Institutional Approval	A major and a degree both require formal approval from faculty and academic administrators.
Career Preparation	Both a major and a degree serve to prepare students for entry-level professional roles.
Skill Development	A major and a degree both foster critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills.
Higher Education	Both a major and a degree are pursued within postsecondary education systems.
Admission Prerequisite	A major and a degree both require prior high school diploma or equivalent for enrollment.
Academic Advising	Both a major and a degree involve guidance from academic advisors during study.
Assessment Methods	A major and a degree both use exams, papers, projects, and presentations for evaluation.
GPA Impact	Both a major and a degree contribute directly to a student’s cumulative grade point average.
Transferability	A major and a degree both allow credits to transfer between accredited institutions under agreements.
Financial Aid Eligibility	Both a major and a degree qualify students for federal and institutional financial aid packages.
Scholarship Opportunities	A major and a degree both make students eligible for merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Internship Integration	Both a major and a degree often incorporate internships or practicum experiences.
Capstone Project	A major and a degree frequently require a final capstone project or thesis.
Faculty Mentorship	Both a major and a degree provide access to professors for academic mentorship.
Peer Collaboration	A major and a degree both involve group work and collaboration with fellow students.
Time Commitment	Both a major and a degree require a multi-year full-time or part-time study period.
Tuition Costs	A major and a degree both incur tuition fees and educational expenses.
Accreditation Standards	Both a major and a degree must meet regional or national accreditation quality standards.
Alumni Status	A major and a degree both grant alumni membership and networking privileges.
Resume Credential	Both a major and a degree serve as key resume entries for job applications.
Graduate School Pathway	A major and a degree both provide the prerequisite foundation for advanced study.
Employer Recognition	Both a major and a degree are widely recognized by employers as valid qualifications.
Lifelong Learning	A major and a degree both establish a base for continuous professional development.
Personal Achievement	Both a major and a degree represent significant personal accomplishment and discipline.

Major or Degree: Which Should You Choose?

Your career goal decides it. A major is your specialized field of study (e.g., biology), while a degree is the credential you earn (e.g., Bachelor of Science). Choose based on whether you need specific subject knowledge or a general qualification for a job.

When to Use Major

Choose Major when you target a specialized role requiring deep subject expertise, like engineering, nursing, or graphic design. It matters for graduate school admissions, technical certifications, or entry-level positions in regulated fields. Your major shapes your first job and early salary trajectory.

When to Use Degree

Choose Degree when you pursue broad career fields like business, communications, or general management. It matters for roles requiring any bachelor's credential, government jobs, or future promotions. The degree level (associate, bachelor's, master's) often outweighs the major for non-technical employers.

Common Misconceptions About Major and Degree

Common Myth	The Reality
"My major is the same thing as my degree."	A major is a specific field of study within a degree; a degree is the overall credential awarded (e.g., Bachelor of Science).
"Changing my major means I lose all my credits."	General education and core requirements usually transfer; only major-specific courses may need repeating, so credit loss is partial.
"Your major locks you into one career forever."	Only 27% of college graduates work in a job directly related to their major, per Federal Reserve data.
"A degree without a major is worthless."	A general studies or liberal arts degree still signals critical thinking and writing skills, valued by 60% of employers.
"STEM majors always earn more than humanities majors."	Mid-career median pay for philosophy majors ($85,000) exceeds that of biology majors ($80,000), per PayScale data.
"You must declare a major before you enroll."	Most US colleges allow undecided status for the first two years, letting you explore before committing.
"A double major is twice as valuable as a single major."	Employers rarely pay a premium for double majors; a minor plus relevant internships often yields better ROI.
"Your major determines your starting salary."	Starting salary varies more by industry, location, and internships than by major, with a $20,000 spread within the same field.
"Online degrees have majors that are less respected."	Accredited online programs (e.g., Arizona State, Penn State) produce identical diplomas; employer perception depends on accreditation, not delivery mode.
"A minor is required to complete any degree."	Minors are optional at most institutions; only specific majors (like education) mandate a secondary concentration.
"If you fail a major course, you must change majors."	Most universities allow retaking a failed course once or twice; degree progress depends on GPA, not a single class.
"Your major appears on your diploma."	Diplomas typically list the degree type (e.g., Bachelor of Arts), not the major; transcripts show the specific major.
"Switching from a science major to business is easier than the reverse."	Business majors often lack the math and lab prerequisites needed to switch into STEM, making that transition harder.
"A master's degree requires the same major as your bachelor's."	Many graduate programs accept non-majors if you complete prerequisite courses; 40% of MBA students hold non-business undergrad degrees.
"Your major defines your professional identity."	Only 13% of executives say their major was important to their career path; skills and experience matter more.
"Declaring a major early guarantees graduation on time."	Early declaration helps but doesn't guarantee; 60% of students still change majors, and time-to-degree depends on credit load.
"A degree with a double major takes five years minimum."	With careful planning and overlapping requirements, a double major can be completed in four years at most institutions.
"Your major must align with your passion to succeed."	Career satisfaction correlates more with job autonomy and culture than with major choice; passion often develops after mastery.
"An associate degree has a major, just like a bachelor's."	Associate degrees have concentrations (e.g., nursing, IT), but they are shorter and often transfer as general education blocks.
"If you study a niche major, you'll face unemployment."	Niche majors like actuarial science or nuclear engineering have near-zero unemployment, while broad majors face higher competition.
"Your degree name matters more than your major for grad school."	Graduate admissions prioritize major-specific GPA and research experience; the degree title (BA vs BS) is secondary.
"You can't switch majors after your junior year."	Switching is possible but may add a semester or two; many universities allow late changes with a graduation plan extension.
"A minor in the same field as your major is redundant."	A minor in a related field (e.g., economics major + math minor) adds quantitative skills that differentiate you in job interviews.
"Your major determines your graduate school eligibility."	Law and medical schools accept any major; they require specific prerequisite courses, not a matching major.
"A degree without a declared major means you're undecided forever."	Most students who enter undecided choose a major by sophomore year; only 10% remain undecided past junior year.
"Your major is listed on your business card."	Professionals list their degree (e.g., MBA, PhD) or certifications; majors appear only on resumes or LinkedIn education sections.
"A bachelor's degree with a major in X is identical across all colleges."	Course requirements, faculty expertise, and elective options vary widely; a computer science major at MIT differs from one at a state school.
"You must choose a major before applying for financial aid."	Financial aid is based on enrollment status and degree level, not your major; undecided students qualify for the same aid.
"Your major is the only factor in your degree's value."	Institutional reputation, alumni network, and internships contribute 40-60% of a degree's earning power, per Georgetown research.
"A minor is the same as an associate degree."	A minor is 15-30 credits within a bachelor's degree; an associate degree is a standalone 60-credit credential with its own graduation requirements.

Conclusion

Difference Between Major and Degree is scope: a major is your specialized field of study, while a degree is the credential awarded upon completion. Choose a major for career focus; choose a degree level for advancement. Pick a major matching your interests, and a degree matching your professional goals.

FAQs on Difference Between Major and Degree

What is the difference between a major and a degree?: A major is your specialized field of study, typically 30-36 credit hours, while a degree is the overall credential you earn, such as a Bachelor of Arts, after completing all university requirements.
How does a major compare to a degree in terms of career impact?: A degree signals your educational level to employers, while a major demonstrates your specific expertise; however, many careers accept any degree, making the major less critical for jobs outside technical fields.
Which is more important for a job, a major or a degree?: A degree is generally more important for entry-level positions, as 74% of employers require a bachelor's degree, but a relevant major can boost your starting salary by an average of 15%.
Does a major cost more than a degree?: No, a major does not cost extra; you pay the same tuition for your degree, but choosing a major with required labs or studio time can add $200-$500 per course in material fees.
Is it risky to choose a major without knowing the degree requirements?: Yes, picking a major without reviewing degree requirements is risky because you may take unnecessary courses, delaying graduation by up to two semesters and adding $10,000 in extra tuition costs.
Can a major and a degree be used interchangeably on a resume?: No, a major and a degree are not interchangeable on a resume because you list the degree (e.g., B.S. in Biology) but only mention the major when it differs from the degree title, like a B.A. with a Biology major.
What is a real-world example of a major versus a degree in action?: A student earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology has a degree in science, but if they major in cognitive psychology, they qualify for research assistant roles that specifically require that major's coursework.
Can I switch my major after starting a degree program?: Yes, you can switch your major after starting a degree program, but 30% of students change majors at least once, and doing so after your sophomore year adds an average of one extra year to completion.
Does a minor count as part of a major or a degree?: A minor is a separate, secondary concentration of 15-18 credit hours that complements your major, but it does not replace any degree requirements and appears separately on your transcript.
What is the difference between an undeclared major and an undecided degree?: An undeclared major means you have not chosen a specialization, but you are still pursuing a degree; an undecided degree is not a real term, as you must enroll in a degree program to take courses.