When Should A Student Pick A Major?

As the spring semester begins, many families ask if their undecided student should be picking a major. Others ask if it’s OK if their student changes their major.

These are common questions. Many students are undecided or change their major while at UWM. In fact 21% of this year’s first-year class was undecided.

In general, students should declare a major by the end of their sophomore year to ensure they can still graduate in a timely manner while meeting all of their program requirements.

But, each case is different and students should talk with an Academic Advisor (their current one assigned or one in the school/college they hope to declare in) about when to officially declare their major as each program has different requirements. For a student who isn’t sure where to start, here are a few tips.

• Review all the majors UWM has to offer (http://www4.uwm.edu/academics/programs.cfm)
• Research and Investigate Majors and Careers using tools offered by the Career Planning and Resource Center (https://www4.uwm.edu/cdc/explore/index.cfm)
• Take Ed Psy-110: Planning Your Major and Career

Published Jan. 11, 2021