Double Major: Everything You Need to Know

So you’ve decided to earn a college degree, but now you are stuck trying to pick a major. With so many options, it’s easy to have many fields you would love to study.  

Fortunately, if you decide to double major, you don’t have to choose just one! The idea of taking on two majors at once can be a bit daunting, but luckily we have the answers to all of your questions.   

Double majoring is when a college student completes two majors, but earns one degree. This is often mistaken for earning a double degree, which is when a college student completes two entirely separate degrees.  

For example, a student may major in both psychology and sociology for a double major, but they would receive one degree in two concentrations; a double degree would be one degree in psychology and one degree in sociology.

Why Double Major?

If you are a college student interested in multiple fields of study, a double major may be your best option. These are offered at almost every college, including community colleges, state universities and Ivy League schools. 

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While being able to major in two subjects you find equally interesting is exciting, most college students have a few questions before jumping into a double major. The most common is arguably the most important: “How will this benefit me?”

Well, one of the biggest perks of getting a double major is that you’ll get to study two fields of interest. If you are debating between two fields that are similar to each other, you can definitely decide to double major. This would give you the opportunity to study both of your interests while earning one four-year degree.  

Another plus is that more potential employers are starting to recognize the benefits of double major degrees. With a double major, both fields of your studies are listed as concentrations for your degree. This allows you to show employers that you mastered two fields of study in the time it takes many to study just one field. This shows you have a strong work ethic and also graduated with broader knowledge.

Yet another awesome aspect of declaring a double major is that anyone can do it. This means you can decide to double major in your first year of college or once you have nearly completed your bachelor’s degree. A double major can be completed just as easily online as it can be on-campus, meaning anyone debating an online degree can do it, too.

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Remember, a double major is not quite the same as a double degree. Double majors generally must be in similar fields of study and will be listed as concentrations of one degree, not two separate degrees. 

If you are interested in majoring in two vastly different fields, like computer science and psychology, you will likely need to either change one subject to something more closely related to your passion or consider a double degree. 

How to Double Major

If you have decided you want to double major, the next step is to actually declare your new degree plan to your college and make it official. This is a simple process involving three easy steps:

1. Decide on your two fields of study
   1. The key to earning a degree with multiple majors is to choose fields of study that both interest you and are related to each other. If your fields of interest are not similar and are not within the same school, you will likely need to work on two separate degrees.
   2. Be sure to sort out what your true passion is and what your hobbies are. Many college students are interested in subjects like psychology, creative writing and art as hobbies, mistaking them for passions and ending up with a degree in something they enjoy but do not wish to use for a living. For a double major, you’ll want to be sure you include your passion.
2. Speak with your advisor
   1. While every college is different, the one commonality is that you need to speak with your academic advisor about any changes to your degree plan. This goes for everyone, whether you are halfway through your bachelor’s degree or just beginning your first year.
3. Declare your new degree with your university’s registration office
   1. After talking with your advisor, you will need to declare your new double major with the same office you registered for college in. Many schools require you to first declare one major and later change it, so be sure to research the specifics of your college first.

All in all, earning a double major is a great option for many college students who want to study multiple fields and don’t want to stay in college for additional years to earn a second degree. If you have a few different interests and want to study them all, double majoring may be the right way for you!