How To Double Major In College

Choosing a major marks one of the most critical and complex decisions college students face. For many, the difficulty lies in narrowing down their many interests to just one. But students do not need to limit themselves to just one major. Many schools offer students the opportunity to double major. Students who choose this path graduate with one degree in two different concentrations.

The portion of students who pursue double majors differs at each school. The College Board reports that about a quarter of all college students double major. That percentage rises to about 30-40% at more selective institutions.

Students must consider many factors when deciding whether to double major, including employment outcomes and course workloads. In this guide, we offer the information students need to weigh their options, and to learn how to double major.

What Is a Double Major?

Students who pursue a double major need to complete the requirements for both majors or concentrations to earn their degree. They will still receive one diploma but with two majors listed.

Double majors often require additional planning to meet all their requirements in four years. Students usually need over 60 credits between their two majors, which is no small task. Double majors might not pursue as many electives as students with just one major, who enjoy more "wiggle room" to try new things. Students who declare their majors earlier will likely have more success than those who plan late.

Why Earn a Double Major?

Students pursue double majors for various reasons. Many students want to prepare themselves well for the workforce or graduate school by combining their skill sets. For example, a student interested in both business and computer science could strengthen their chances at jobs that require coding and business sense by majoring in both.

Majors also do not need to relate to each other. Students interested in seemingly opposite paths, like art and science, can still acquire majors in both fields to better reflect their interests and career aspirations.

How Do Credit Hours Work in a Double Major?

Like students who declare one major, double majors usually need to complete 120 credit hours to earn a bachelor's degree. Students do not need more time to finish a second major if they plan accordingly. However, double majors generally must complete a longer list of required courses than single-major students.

Each school holds different requirements for its majors. Students should speak with their advisors about the specific requirements and what classes fulfill obligations for both majors. For example, a political science major and a sociology major might both require the same statistics course. A student would only need to take the course once to meet each major's requirement.

Tips for Managing a Double Major

Double majors have a lot more on their plate than their single major counterparts when it comes to choosing what classes to take, graduating in four years, and managing their time. Students can use various ways to stay on track. Below we offer a few tips.

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