L&S MAJORS

When must I declare a major?

You must declare a major by the end of your sophomore year (i.e., 60 units completed, less any AP credit), or the College may block your registration. If you transferred into Berkeley as a junior, you must declare a major by the start of your second semester, or the College may block your registration.

How do I declare a major?

A major adviser in the department must approve your admission to the major and sign a Petition to Declare a Major (available at departments and the College office in 113 Campbell Hall). Each department has its own procedures for reviewing requests for admission to the major: some require an application, an essay, a certain grade point average, or a personal interview with a major adviser. All departments require that you bring a copy of transcripts of transferable course work from other institutions. Please check with the major department for specific information on how to declare.

May I change my declared major?

You may change your major in 113 Campbell Hall by submitting a new Petition to Declare a Major signed by a major adviser from the new department. The computer will automatically drop you from the first major.

If you have completed over 90 units, you will be required to submit a Program Planning Form signed by an adviser in the new major. A College adviser will review your request for a change of major to determine whether you can satisfy graduation requirements by the 130 unit maximum. If you cannot satisfy graduation requirements by the unit limit, your request for a change of major will be denied.

How do I declare a double major?

You must submit a Double Major application (available in the Office of Undergraduate Advising, 113 Campbell Hall) which includes: Program Planning Form, Required Courses Form, and a Petition to Declare a Major. All three forms must be signed by major advisers in both departments.

You can declare a double major after you have completed at least one semester at UC Berkeley and are in good academic standing (2.0 grade point average or higher). Your program plan cannot include more than 2 upper division courses used to satisfy requirements in both departments and your application must be submitted at least one full semester prior to graduation. Your program plan cannot be approved if you will have completed more than 136 semester units prior to your last intended semester (AP units do not count towards this 136 unit ceiling).

You can drop one of the majors from an officially declared double major by submitting to the College office a Request to Change from a Double Major to a Single Major petition. As a student with a single major, you must abide by the 130 unit ceiling rule.

You can declare simultaneous degrees in two different schools or colleges (e.g., Environmental Design and Letters & Science). The deans of both colleges must approve an application for simultaneous degrees (available in the Office of Undergraduate Advising 113 Campbell Hall).

For more information refer to Double Major & Simultaneous Degrees.

How do I declare a minor?

Minors are available in over 40 different subjects. Consult the list of departments that offer minors for more information.

Admission to the minor and certification of completion of the minor are determined by the department in charge of the program. A minimum of 5 upper division courses, completed on a letter-grade basis, are required for a minor. You should consult the department for additional requirements and specific information regarding the minor program in which you are interested. When you have completed all courses for the minor, then you submit the Petition for Confirmation of Minor Programs to your department.