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"What's
your major?" Chances are, you'll hear that question countless
times before you graduate. Some students know exactly what major
they will choose and have their career path planned out when they
enter college. Most students, however, need to do some exploration
before they decide on a major. It is better to take your time and
choose a major best suited to you than to be close to graduation
and find out you've made a poor choice. It takes time and research
to find the major that best suits you. The following resources are
here to assist you in choosing a major.
If
after you've completed the tasks below you
still are unsure about a major, consider speaking
with our Career Counselor, Joe
Tucibat (click name). Call us to schedule an appointment
with him 898-2339 (no career counseling walk-ins please).
How
to Select Your Major
Selecting a major is the first step towards establishing your career
after college. It is not unusual for students to not have a declared
major (or even an idea of one) upon starting college or change their
major during their time in college. Deciding on your major is one
of the most important college decisions, but can sometimes be one
of the more complicated. A step-by-step guide is provided below
to help you start making that decision and your Advisor is always
available to assist.
STEP
1: Consider Your Options
A listing of all available majors, concentrations, and degree programs
offered at MTSU is in the Undergraduate Catalog (paper copy and
online). On this list, circle the majors that interest you, and
cross off the majors that don’t.
STEP 2: Get the facts
Pick up information from specific departments on any majors that
appeal to you. Speak with faculty members and advisors in your prospective
majors’ departments and colleges. Talk to other students in
your prospective major. Take an introductory course in your prospective
major. Take advantage of career counseling on campus. Explore majors
on the internet.
STEP 3: Review your options
Shorten your list of possible majors to two or three that interest
you the most and ask yourself the following questions about them:
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What subjects will I study?
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What is the disciplinary focus of the major?
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What are the major and related course requirements for this major?
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Will I enjoy these courses?
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What minors or other courses might complement this major?
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Does this major provide an opportunity for internships, faculty
research, and/or experiential learning?
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What skills will this major help me to develop?
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Is graduate school usually required to work in fields associated
with this major?
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What kinds of jobs do students in this major pursue?
STEP 4: Make a Decision
If you’ve followed the steps above, you should be ready to
choose a major that best meets your needs and interests. Don’t
be afraid to make a decision. You are likely to succeed in a major
you enjoy because you will commit the time and effort necessary
to be successful.
How
To Declare or Change a Major
The department of your major has a form for you to fill out to declare
your major. After you have filed the form with the department, you
will be assigned a faculty advisor.
Even
after careful consideration, you may later decide to change to another
major. Simply, go to the department of the new major and fill out
the form to change your major. The new major will automatically
replace the old major. A new faculty advisor will be assigned to
you. Please note that, realistically, the more credit hours that
have accumulated, the harder it can become to actually change into
another major without losing some of those hours.
About
your Faculty Advisor
Once you declare a major, you will be assigned a faculty advisor.
This faculty member will work with you in your major to make sure
you are on track with course selection, specific major requirements,
and additional opportunities. Be sure to utilize your advisor to
the fullest; they can help you make the most of your time at MTSU.
Major
Information Bulletin
To assist you in choosing a major, we have included summaries of
each major offered at MTSU. In each Major Information Bulletin,
you will find resources to help you explore the possibilities of
that major. A summary describing the major, a listing of career
options, and a sample course schedule are all included to offer
you as much information as possible in making your decision. Along
with your Academic Advisor, a College Advisor is also available
to assist.
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