Boston University - Office of Career Services - Choosing Majors

Yes. In fact, it is not uncommon for undergraduates to change majors one or more times while in college. It can be a great idea, especially if you feel stuck in something that turns out to be not what you expected, or perhaps chose a major that you didn’t really care much about to begin with. Education is about growth, change, and discovering new things. We encourage students to leave possibilities open and explore their interests as much as possible.

There are some things to consider before you make a decision about changing your major, however, so please use the factors below in your decision-making. Depending on your specific situation, you might have to take additional classes which can (possibly) mean that you graduate a semester, or even a year, later than you had originally planned. Doing your research and thinking about the questions below might help you through this process.

If you are a freshman or sophomore, you can probably make a change fairly easily. If you are a junior (or even a senior) there will be more of an impact.

Are you staying within the same basic area and just want to re-focus a bit, or are you proposing making a change from one College at BU to another, into an entirely different field?

How many classes will you have to take from here on out in order to satisfy those requirements? The best way to learn about this is to speak with someone in the department into which you plan to transfer.

How do you feel about your existing major? Do you dread the thought of one more class? Do you love it, but fear that you won’t be able to find a job? Do you like it but like other things equally as well, and want to experience them?

If you can’t stand your major, by all means consider changing if it’s practical for you.

If you love it but are worried about future employment prospects, come in and meet with a career counselor who can possibly allay those fears or suggest ways to help you be an attractive candidate for employers when you graduate (such as appropriate internships.)

If you like your current major but feel that you are interested in so many things that it’s hard to choose, then you have a different dilemma. In this case, we also encourage you to come in and speak with a counselor, but remember that life is long and learning doesn’t stop (we hope) when you graduate from the University. There are many interests you can pursue on your own throughout life.

This is a personal question that only you can answer, but it deserves some thought if a change of major will mean additional schooling.

Have you looked into doing a “double major” or a minor? Have you looked into gaining “hands-on” experience in your new area of interest that might supplement your formal education?

Sometimes it helps to hear from people who are currently in a program, to gain perspective on what the program is like. SeniorNet can help with this.

Changing your major can be a great move, allowing you a more fulfilling academic experience. It is important, however, that you carefully consider the questions above before you make your decision. We want you to enjoy what you do, here and after you leave BU!

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