Declare or Change a Mager

Declare or Change a Major

Unless you are coming to the university sure of your major, you should begin exploring options in your first year. Choosing General Education (GE) courses in the fields that you are considering is a great way to research your options. Meet with your academic advisor to discuss other activities to try and/or courses to take as you begin to make this very important decision. Plus, advisors are cool!

If you know what you want to study, declaring your major early helps you stay on track for graduation, strengthens your motivation and may help to inform some of your course choices. During your first semester, you can spend time exploring clubs and other opportunities that will improve your understanding of your future career.

Checklist for Declaring or Changing Your Major:

  • Take General Education (GE) courses to see what interests you.
  • Research different majors and their requirements.
  • Some departments require you to complete an overview session before you can declare the major.
  • Schedule an appointment with an advisor in the major your want to learn about the major's requirements.
  • Ask questions about prerequisites, GPA requirements, and any other admissions criteria.
  • Make sure you complete any required courses/prerequisites or achieve the necessary GPA before declaring your major.
  • Follow the steps provided by your department to officially declare your major.
  • Gather information about the what you need to do to succeed and thrive in the major.
  • If you're interested in more than one field, talk to your advisor about the possibility of pursuing a second major or dual degree.
  • Understand the requirements and decide if it's feasible for you.

Once you declare a new major, an advisor will enter it into your record. Expect to see your new listing (as a major or a pre-major) in your My Buckeye Link account the same day the advisor enters it.

  • Your new major or pre-major will be visible on your degree audit and in OnCourse the next business day.

    • Download the helpful questions guide to help your prepare for your early advising appointments

  • Your advising report will display your new major next term

  • If you still have requirements to fulfill before you can be admitted to the major, some colleges will enroll you as a pre-major, but being a pre-major does not guarantee admission to the major

If you have questions about your specific situation, please schedule a meeting with your new advisor using "Other (My Advisor)" as the service when you schedule the appointment.

  • You are not interested in the courses you are taking for your major
  • You are not doing well in your major courses
  • You chose your major due to external pressures or you did not do your research
  • You keep wondering what it would be like to major in something else

Changing your major may change your fees. Ask the advisor before making your decision.