• Major Completion:
  BA students must fulfill all requirements for one major, as certified by the relevant department, program, or college. BLS students must either (1) fulfill all requirements for one major, as certified by the relevant department, program, or college, or (2) fulfill all requirements for one BLS concentration, as certified by the BLS program.

• Eligibility and Continuation:
  Eligibility criteria for majors and BLS concentrations are determined by the respective department, program, or college. Access to, or continuation in, a major may be denied to students whose academic performance is deemed unsatisfactory by that department, program, or college.

• Declaration of Major:
  BA students are expected to declare and gain acceptance into a major within their fourth semester. Students who have not been accepted into a major by the beginning of their fifth semester will have a hold placed on their enrollment until a major is declared and approved. BLS students are expected to declare and gain acceptance into a major or BLS concentration after completing a minimum of 12 credits and before completing 16 credits toward the degree.

• Limits on Declarations:
  Students may not declare more than a combined total of three majors (including linked majors), minors, and certificates.

• Course Requirements:
  Each major and BLS concentration requires a minimum of eight credits numbered 201 or higher. Additional requirements, such as specific courses or higher credit totals, may be imposed by the department, program, or college.

• Credit Limitations:
  Students may count no more than four credits from outside the major department toward the major, though some majors permit fewer. See Graduation Requirements for information about the limits on credits that may count towards graduation.  

• Comprehensive Examinations

  • In departments, programs, or colleges that require a comprehensive examination, passing the exam is mandatory for graduation. Each department is responsible for determining the content, format (oral, written, or both), level of supervision provided during exam preparation, and the scheduling and location of the examination.

  • If a student fails to earn a satisfactory grade on the comprehensive examination during their senior year but has fulfilled all other graduation requirements, the student may be granted permission to retake the comprehensive examination only once.

• University Major

In addition to the majors offered by departments, programs, and colleges, BA students may propose a “university major” that integrates the theories and methodologies of two or more academic disciplines, and which cannot be accommodated by an existing major or combination of majors. Proposals for a university major must be supported by three faculty members and require approval from the University Major Committee. Students must submit their application for a university major no later than the first semester of their junior year.