The University Advisement Center (UAC) at ETSU is dedicated to helping students define
and declare their major/career interests as early as possible in their academic life.
If you are undecided about what you want major to in at ETSU, or want to explore career and major options – DO NOT WORRY! It is very common to be undecided about what you want to do after college and what major to choose. So common in fact, that we have a whole office staffed with professional advisors to help you through this very important decision making process. We work closely with students and walk them through the decision making process to decide their academic path.
This is true for both first-time freshman, in their first few semesters in college, as well as for transfer and returning students who have already started their academic (or career) journey. We are here to assist you, even if you are never officially listed as an Undecided major student.
"About one-third of students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs changed majors"
in their first three years of enrollment.
National Center for Education Statistics
Meet your support system in the UAC.
Questions about being "Undecided" and Exploring Major/Career Options
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What is a major?
"A 'major' is the curriculum for a particular field of study a student wishes to pursue in earning a degree." (Catalog: Academic Policies and Procedures)
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What does it mean to be Undecided in major?
If you are entering college without a specific field of study, you are classified as Undecided until you officially choose a major. As an Undecided student, you will have the opportunity to explore various academic and career options while predominantly progressing towards your general education requirements.
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Do I have to select a major when I apply?
No. In fact, it may be to your advantage to wait until you have had a chance to explore various fields of study and gained some insights through self-reflection, consultation with an advisor, and (possibly) coursework in the field you plan to pursue.
Choosing a major requires time and thought. The University Advisement Center is here to help. Reflection on your personal goals, interests, and abilities, and careful consideration of potential employment opportunities should help you during this process.
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How do I change my major?
To change or declare a major, students are required to seek advisement from the Academic Advisor for their new major. This advisor will officially change the student's record during the advisement process and advise them on course registration in line with that major pathway. Changing majors may impact progress toward graduation (timeline to complete the degree), so early planning and regular communication with advisors is recommended.
Choosing a major requires time and thought. It should be an active, participatory decision that should not be taken lightly. Many students report the benefits of multiple interactions with an academic advisor before choosing a major. The University Advisement Center can also assist students in reflecting on potential career opportunities to better assist in their academic planning.
A student who was previously listed as Undecided in major will "change" or declare their major when they've decided on a specific major path they wish to pursue. A student who previously declared a specific major could change to a new major (or Undecided), as a result of new insights gained about their academic and career interests.
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When do I have to declare a major?
Undergraduate students must declare a major no later than the first term after they complete 60 semester credit hours. Transfer students who transfer more than 60 semester credit hours must declare a major by the end of their first semester at ETSU. This policy also applies to students in pre-professional programs. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree must declare a major at the time of application. (Catalog: Advising and Registration)
Some students enter college with the belief that they should complete their general education before deciding on a major to pursue. Undecided students are encouraged to declare a major by the end of their second semester.
Conversations with students regarding their major declaration begin as early as possible to allow for more varied course selection during registration. Although students have general education requirements to complete as an Undecided major student, it's generally not recommended to satisfy all these requirements first before declaring a major.
It's important to consider that students who satisfy all their general education requirements, first, may not be able to enroll in full-time registration for a specific major if they have not preveiously satisfied one or more introductory-level (or prerequisite) courses within the major.