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Declare Your Major

The Next Step in Writing Your L&S Story

Why Should I Declare My Major?

All L&S students enter the University undeclared.
You must formally declare your major(s).

There are advantages to declaring: 

  • Course Access: Many departments give priority enrollment in their courses to their declared majors. 
  • Planning future semesters: Major advisors can best help you make out your four-year plan.   
  • Getting in the major “loop”: Declared majors are often the first to hear about major-related research opportunities, scholarships, internships, and events. 
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A display in the lobby of Astronautics Corporation of American depicts the origins of the aviation instrument manufacturer in Milwaukee, Wis.

When Should I Declare My Major?

You should declare your major when you are reasonably sure you want to pursue it. If you are feeling confident about your intended major–and have met any declaration requirements–then it is a good time to declare. 

The College of Letters & Science requires undergraduates to have declared at least one L&S major or degree program before they have 86 or more combined in-progress and completed credits.  

How Do I Declare My Major?

For most L&S majors, declaring simply entails filling out a form or scheduling a meeting with the major advisor. Some L&S majors, though, have specific courses students must complete and/or grades they must achieve in order to be eligible to declare. Click on the link below for instructions on how to declare your intended major.

How to Declare a Major in the College of Letters & Science
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Can I Change My Mind and “Undeclare”?

Absolutely. Undeclaring (often called “Cancelling”) an L&S major is usually very simple, often just filling out a form or sending an email to the major advisor.

If your new intended major is not in L&S, please contact that school or college for information on transferring. Some schools and colleges have admissions criteria and/or competitive applications.