Choose a major in a subject you LOVE learning about!
CHOOSING A MAJOR
Exploring, Changing, Affirming
WHICH ARE YOU?
1. Undecided and Undeclared
2. Declared by Undecided
3. Decided but Undeclared
4. Decided and Declared
Check below for things you should be doing right now:
1. Explore and Discover (Undecided and Undeclared)
Learn About Majors Offered at UMD
- Check out the personality indicator on the left.
- Visit the UMD Career Services office for information on taking the Strengths Quest survey.
- Take the College Major Profile Quiz
What criteria should you go by when making this decision?
- Check out Sallie Mae's Guide to Choosing A Major
- Check out the resources in the column on the left.
- Circle courses that highly interest you
- Cross off courses you know you would not like
- Don't mark courses you feel neutral about
- In which subject area(s) did you circle the most classes? That's a clue to a major that may be a very good fit for you!
Run a "What If" APAS report to see where you stand in a major, given the classes you have already taken.
Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook
You can look up a career and find out what it is all about, starting salaries, job outlook for the next 10 years, related careers, what educational level and training you need, if there is a specific major associated with it, and where the jobs are.
At the CEHSP Advising Office you can meet with Sue Darge who works with students who are exploring, declaring, or changing majors. Call 726-7156 for an appointment or send her an email at sdarge@d.umn.edu
2. Talk It Over (Declared but Undecided)
Consult with Your Academic Advisor
Seek Help at the CEHSP Advising Office
Consider changing to “undeclared” so you are connected with an advisor knowledgeable in working with undecided students.
Check out the resources on the Explore and Discover list above.
3. Declare Your Major (Decided but Undeclared)
Go to the CEHSP Advising Office in 120 Bohannon Hall to complete paperwork. If your new major will be in a different college at UMD, go to that college's Advising (Student Affairs) office.
Connect with faculty and other students in your new major.
Join an academic club related to your major.
Meet with your new academic advisor
4. Affirm Your Major (Decided and Declared)
See your academic advisor to confirm a good fit, learn about internships, undergraduate research opportunities (UROP), advice on study abroad programs, etc.
See Career Services to explore careers and further educational opportunities
Make sure you are not “overly” decided – sticking with a major that is not a good fit for you. See Susan Darge Lombaro in the CEHSP Advising Office to talk about it.