University of Wisconsin–Madison
The quiet aisles of the north stacks at Memorial Library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Sept. 30, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Miller / UW-Madison)

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. 
Pictured at center on June 13, 2023, is a concept design for a Ho–Chunk Banner for Bascom Hall commissioned in celebration of the University of Wisconsin’s 175th and to be displayed on Bascom Hall. The banner design is inspired by Indigenous styles of textiles, basketry, and natural fibers and is the collaborative work of Molli Pauliot, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and a doctoral candidate in anthropology; Marianne Fairbanks, associate professor of design studies; and Stephen Hilyard, professor of digital arts. (Photo by Jeff Miller / UW–Madison)
On April 20, 2015, a display in the lobby of Astronautics Corporation of American depicts the origins of the aviation instrument manufacturer in Milwaukee, Wis. The family company was founded in 1959 by Nate Zelazo -- who holds a 1957 master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison -- and continues to employee a number of UW-Madison graduates. (Photo by Jeff Miller/UW-Madison)

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
Micropropagated potato plants used in research by the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP) are housed in test tubes inside an environmentally-controlled growth room at the Biotron Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Aug. 4, 2015. The goal of the WSPCP is to provide Wisconsin potato farmers with seed potato planting stock that is healthy and without varietal mixture. The Biotron Laboratory offers controlled testing environments for academic and commercial clients in plant, animal and materials research at UW-Madison. (Photo by Bryce Richter / UW-Madison)
Flag bearers make their way down the center aisle at the start of UW-Madison's spring commencement ceremony outdoors at Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on May 14, 2016. The outdoor graduation was attended by approximately 5,600 bachelor's and master's degree candidates and their guests. (Photo by Bryce Richter / UW-Madison)

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.