Majors and Minors

First-Year Engineering Major Declaration

First-year students in the School of Engineering & Applied Science are classified as “undeclared,” and will enroll in core classes required for all undergraduate engineering programs. (“Undeclared” is not a degree program and students cannot graduate from Engineering while undeclared.)  First-year students will declare their undergraduate major in the spring of their first year. The Office of Undergraduate Programs will send first-year students a survey during the spring term to allow students to declare their major.  First-year students cannot declare their major before receiving the major declaration survey.

Declaring an Additional Major

After students declare their primary major, they can elect to pursue a second major in engineering or in the College of Arts and Sciences with approval from the major department. This is only recommended for students with strong academic records containing evidence of success during semesters with a heavy course load.  Students must declare a second major prior to the add deadline of their final undergraduate term.  Students cannot delay their graduation to complete a second major.  Students are only awarded one degree based on their primary major, but the double major status is reflected on their transcript.

To declare an additional major in the School of Engineering, please contact the Program Director listed below, and then submit our Additional Major Declaration form.

To declare an additional major in the College of Arts & Sciences please review their instructions and policies on the College Website. 

• It is NOT possible to double major in Engineering and the McIntire School of Commerce; the curricula are too divergent for this to be reasonably achievable. 

FORM: Additional Major Declaration Form – School of Engineering & Applied Science

Declaring a Minor

After students declare their primary major, they can elect to pursue a minor in engineering or elsewhere with approval from the minor department. Students must declare a minor prior to the add deadline of their final undergraduate term.  Students cannot delay their graduation to complete a minor.  For minors outside of the School of Engineering, students must follow the policy set by the minor department about double counting courses between their major and the minor.    

To declare a minor in the School of Engineering, please contact the Program Director for the minor listed below prior to submitting our Engineering Minor Declaration form.  You may need to complete certain pre-requisite courses before declaring a minor. 

To declare a minor outside the School of Engineering, please contact the minor department and schedule an appointment to review the minor requirements and complete their required form to declare the minor.

FORM: Minor Declaration Form – School of Engineering & Applied Science

Engineering Minor Contact List

Business and Entrepreneurship 

Students interested in business experience have many options, including: 

• Engineering Business Minor
• Entrepreneurship Minor
• General Business Minor
• One-year post-BS MS in Commerce degree from McIntire 
• Second major or a minor in Economics

OR

• Take some classes in business/entrepreneurship areas either in Engineering or McIntire 
• Pursue a post-BS MBA degree 

In general, students with low cumulative GPA should not pursue a second major.  Rather, they should concentrate on succeeding in their first major. In a typical graduating class, about 50% of Engineering graduates (in addition to their Engineering major) earn a minor and about 15% earn a second major.

Removing an Additional Major or Minor

To remove an additional major and/or minor from your record, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Programs at [email protected]

Changing Your Major

Students must consult with their current advisor, and the new major department before submitting our Major Change Declaration Form below.  DO NOT use this form if you are a first-year undeclared student.  We have a separate process for first-year engineering students to declare their primary major as described above.

FORM: Change of Major Declaration Form – School of Engineering & Applied Science

Undergraduate Program Director and Administrator Contact Information