College Major vs. Minor Whats the Difference? Many schools require you to have 15 credit hours of classes to qualify as having a minor. There are plenty of accounting majors who minor in philosophy. TTY 617.373.3768 In contrast, MBA programs generally do not have internship requirements. Masters programs generally require fewer courses, fewer credits, and less time to complete than bachelors programs. Some programs may require prerequisites prior to admission.
Finally, admissions to some types of masters programs may require professional licensure. The majority of your classes will revolve around your major, making up 40 to 50 credit hours. Completion of the requirements of a major, minor, or concentration is noted on the transcript. 0 9
Students must earn a minimum of 32 semester hours beyond those earned toward the first degree. It may be a field of study that complements your major or an area that youre particularly passionate about. Bachelors programs in professional fields, such as nursing, social work, and accounting, may require students to complete a certain number of supervised field education, practicum, or internship hours as part of their major. myNortheastern Opens New Window, Privacy Policy The table below offers a general side-by-side comparison of bachelors and masters degree programs, highlighting many of the key differences between the two types of degrees. 
On the other hand, theres no reason why your minor shouldnt be something that youre personally interested in. 30 0 obj
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A statement of the manner in which the requirementsof the university core are fulfilled (and, if applicable, A list of coursesincluding numbers, names, and gradesalready taken that will apply to the major or to the university core (and BA core, if applicable) requirements. How and when students qualify for and declare their majors depends on the program and its structure. Students may request admission to a combined major by following the standard procedure for changing majors. Your minor should be noted on your transcripts and may or may not appear on your diploma itself. Minors are usually not mentioned on diplomas, but you can certainly prove that you have one by providing college transcripts to prospective employers after you graduate. Although the two can be similar, they do not need to be. It can be a good strategy if you want to appear well-rounded and have lots of career options after you graduate. Following the first degree conferral, a student may seek and be granted admission into a second bachelors degree program. For example, a masters in computer science program may require applicants to hold a bachelors degree in computer science or to have taken college-level computer programming, mathematics, and/or statistics courses. General Requirements and Regulations for Masters Degrees, General Requirements and Regulations for Doctoral Degrees, Committees on Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Papers, GeneralRequirementsandRegulationsforMastersDegrees. These essentially tell the school that you have done the minimal amount of work necessary to achieve your degree. 0
2022-2023 Northeastern University For example, a 120-credit bachelors program may allot 50 credits for general education requirements and offer a variety of BA and BS majors, some of which may require the completion of as few as 42 credits while others require students to complete up to 50 or more credits. Through in-depth credit for prior learning guides and accelerated degree tips, we want to help you realize your dream of finishing college in less time! This may allow students to take one or two courses per term without extending the time to completion beyond two years.
Having an unrelated minor might show your range and appeal to a variety of employers. For example, someone could get a Bachelor of History with a minor in foreign languages or journalism. In addition, some programs may require students to apply for and be accepted into certain highly competitive majors. The advisor will certify that the student meets the criteria for immediate entry to the major or will set up a transition term for the student to satisfy the change-of-major criteria. The only difference is that a Bachelor of the Arts degree tends to focus on humanities and language, while a Bachelor of Science degree focuses predominately on math and science. Since minors are intertwined with majors, students receive a degree for their primary concentration, and the minor is often mentioned on their transcripts. Some programs are designed for students who earned their bachelors degree in a particular field or fields, or who earned passing grades in several college-level courses in one or more subject areas. Alternatively, you can always look at your minor as a way to stretch your wings and explore other areas that youre passionate about. Admission to a particular major is dependent on the transfer criteria described above.
Note also that some colleges have deadlines for applications to change major, also indicated on the aforementioned webpage. Some people select their minor to complement their major. The student should select one of the faculty mentors as the primary mentor. High degrees of student initiative and self-reliance are also necessary for completion of this type of major. This promotes interdisciplinary scholarship and collaboration. Ultimately, you need to look at what you want to do after you graduate and determine what the best path to get there is. h[k0[FP4i`B7Vc[NYi->YF'D- >6GC*:,x-qPh0jX`qc"W0Xs:hhbI.ZNA\pV`]-J#CX2W$`L7[E8ctXB?Y+-4{Wi]x'Ez6RT-/]GSgo2IM.Ui9 If youre stuck, simply check out what other students have paired together for their majors and minors. %%EOF Based on an analysis of recent data collected by the Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the ten most common undergraduate majors or fields of study are: As previously noted, different majors have different requirements. Seethe onlinelist of current combined majors. A minor selection may only be from the list of majors offered by the university and supported by the major program. It is incumbent upon the student to select courses with at least three instructors, two of whom represent the field of the graduate major. Although minoring in something that youre passionate about may seem like a waste of time and money, thats not necessarily true. All colleges are different, but you can generally expect to take forty classes to complete your bachelors degree. When a minor is listed as suitable by the major department, no special permission is necessary, but at least one-half of the minor must be completed in residence at TWU and in a field offering a graduate degree program. Majors make up the bulk of your schooling, and when you graduate, you are often considered to have fulfilled all of the requirements to start in the field. Those who choose double majors often look for concentrations that complement each other, like a double major in foreign language and international studies. Minors are secondary fields of study that may complement your major but dont necessarily need to. See the online list of advising offices. Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs commonly require students to compose a portfolio of their work or present a performance of some type prior to receiving their degree. The Gayogohn' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. This includes courses acting as a bridge between the two majors being combined, experiential learning opportunities, research and creative opportunities, and more. Upon graduation, studentsreceive one major, one degree, and one diploma. FAQ: How Long Does it Take to Complete a Masters Degree Program? The DAmore-McKim School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the Khoury College of Computer Sciences also each provide resources to facilitate a major choice for students who enter their respective colleges with undeclared majors. Another example could be a student who majors in marketing and minors in graphic design or someone with a major in Finance and a minor in economics. The remaining credits required for a bachelors degree are commonly designated for electives that may or may not count toward a secondary major or minor, as some programs allow students to minor in a field other than their major or to double major in two fields of study. onf:a}9lb}d FU*{E$eRGhA>$mBP These opportunities for curricular integration occur at different stages of the program in order to meet the curriculum integration learning outcome(s). Most colleges and universities offer majors in a range of humanities, social science, and natural science disciplines, such as English, biology, chemistry, communication, history, mathematics, philosophy, physics, psychology, and sociology. Joy is pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Policy & Foreign Policy and holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management, as well as a Bachelor's in Business Administration.
In the rare cases when students have academic interests that fall within the expertise of Northeastern faculty members and are not available in the large number of existing majors and combined majors, they may propose an independent major. A minor is a secondary concentration of courses. Advisors will discuss the students ability to succeed in the desired program given the current academic record as well as the influence of changing major on the students ability to obtain a degree in the desired program within the traditional eight-academic-term time frame. For example, MSW programs typically require at least 900 field education hours, and masters in counseling programs typically require a minimum of 700 supervised clinical hours. The first school of thought sees your minor as a group of coursework that supports your major. This minor can be based upon an area of interest that they discovered, or a way to complement their existing major and possibly make them more attractive in the workplace.
FAQ: How Long Does it Take to Earn a Bachelors Degree? Are There CACREP-Accredited Online Counseling Programs? Potential applicants to bachelors programs should research programs carefully to determine which schools offer a major in their field of interest or in a closely related field.
Your major will be whats listed on your diploma. Unless otherwise indicated, minors are generally open to all university students. Northeastern University School of Law also offers students aPlusJD program that allows students to count their first year of law school toward their undergraduate degree. FAQ: What are the Differences Between a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree? Many colleges suggest that you take a variety of classes in your freshman year of school, and only declare a major after you have seen what works for you. Students who major in a humanities discipline may be required to submit a senior paper or thesis in order to graduate, while those who major in a science field may be required to complete a research project. If youve always loved gazing out at the wild cold reaches of outer space, why not leverage that interest into a career in astronomy or another branch of science? Upon graduation, a comment will be added to the transcript to reflect the title indicated on the approved independent major proposal. Generally, both degrees may be earned in one more year than is the normal time allotted for completion of the bachelors degree. In addition, students may be required to submit scores from a standardized test such as the SAT; two or three letters of recommendation; a written personal goals statement; and/or answers to one or more essay questions. Outdated coursework may not be accepted. Its totally up to you. An associates degree refers to an educational program that generally covers some core classes in a particular field of study.
There are currently six regional bodies that provide accreditation to schools offering bachelors and graduate degree programs: Accreditation from one of these six groups indicates that a college or university has undergone an assessment designed to ensure the functional viability of the institution and its educational and financial resources. The time it takes to complete a masters program may also depend on a students level of academic and/or professional preparedness. 617.373.2000 FAQ: What Is a Master of Professional Studies Degree? hbbd``b`~@H0 i@$ Minors appear on the transcript only after completion of requirements has been certified and the degree has been awarded. No student with less than a 3.250 grade-point average will be approved for an independent major. The PDF will include all information unique to this page.
Its a concentration that you get in addition to your primary field of study, known as your major. hb```g``g BT, bPA/}fF0~Pm`>@ ] Undergraduate students may declare their majors upon admission to the university or may elect to join programs for undeclared students before declaring a major. The Northeastern Explore Program provides support and guidance to first-year students who have not yet decided upon or officially declared a major. For example, Master of Social Work (MSW) programs typically provide core training and instruction in the general practice of social work and may then offer students the option of specializing in clinical practice, macro practice, mental health counseling, and/or school social work. These programs should be equivalent in depth and coherence to existing majors. In addition to your core curriculum, you may have the option of stretching your legs and taking electives that appeal to you. The minor committee members, Drs. Alternately, theres nothing wrong with choosing a minor that youre passionate about, even if it doesnt reflect your major. While the total number of courses and credits in a masters program varies by program and by area of study, in most fields students who enroll on a full-time basis can complete a masters program in one to three years. Undeclared students are strongly encouraged to declare a major by the beginning of their sophomore year if they are interested in highly structured programs or in maximizing their number of co-op placements within such a major. The combined major and home college will appear on the transcript and diploma. 2021-22 College of Professional Studies Undergraduate PDF, Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Final Examinations and Related Policies on Other Exams and Final Term Papers/Projects, Leaves of Absence and University Withdrawal, Student Bill of Academic Rights and Responsibilities, Student Records, Transcripts, and Related Policies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, College of Professional Studies Undergraduate, Second Northeastern University Bachelors Degree, additional information on PlusOne Bachelors/Masters programs, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02115. A combined major is one major that includes at least nine courses from each of the two participating disciplines. Majors and concentrations are described under the various schools and colleges in this catalog. | This will be Marcus major concentration. Eligibility requirements and admissions criteria vary by program.
When it comes to choosing your major, think about your skillset and what you like to do. FAQ: What Is a Master of Applied Science Degree? A home college is designated, in which the student will be registered and from which they will be graduated. FAQ: What Is a Professional Science Masters Degree? FAQ: Are there Online Bachelors Degree Completion Programs? You do not get a degree for a minor. Who Accredits Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs? If you are majoring in a more vague field, its helpful to have a minor that can fine-tune your particular skill set. See additional information on PlusOne Bachelors/Masters programs. Joy's focus is helping non-traditional students find accelerated degree options and credit for prior learning opportunities. Your major is not set in stone, and it may change throughout your academic career, although making the switch later in your college life might prolong the time that it to takes you to finish your degree. A minor is not a degree. The difference between the two is quite similar to that of a degree vs. major because they both are typically mixed up a lot.
Ultimately, majors are primary concentrations that make up the bulk of the classes, and minors are secondary focuses that can complement the major but dont always need to. Answer: A bachelors degree is a postsecondary undergraduate degree that typically requires the completion of the equivalent of eight semester or four years of coursework and that can prepare students for entry- and mid-level work in their field of study, as well as for further studies at the graduate level. $Lt&F 1FG |j The sky is the limit. There are a few different ways to look at your college minor, and how you determine the best one for you all comes down to personal preference and what you want to achieve in your life. In some cases, background courses are also required. Some students may major in science or math and minor in art to round off their degree and give their left brain a break. In addition, the student may select a minor closely allied to the major, to the thesis subject, or to the interests of the student. When you graduate, your major will appear on your diploma. Students who take classes during summer sessions may be able to graduate in less than four years from a program structured in this way, or to reduce the number of courses they take per semester to three or four over a four-year period. A student enrolled full-time in a bachelors program like the one described above would be eligible to graduate in four years by taking an average of five classes per semester for eight semesters. A list of school and college transition criteria is maintained at the website of therespective school or college. Students completing an independent major receive one degree and one diploma. Masters programs in clinical fields may take longer on average to complete than non-clinical masters programs, but this is not universally true. A second diploma will be awarded and the second degree will be noted on the transcript. FAQ: Are There Online Masters Programs That Do Not Require the GRE for Admission? Faculty serving on the students special committee each represent a concentration. Some students opt for double majors, which increases the workload but may give you increased employment opportunities after school. Students may earn a double major by gaining admission to the second major and by completing all requirements for both majors. You may also appear more well-rounded to future employers, and they might see you as someone who is willing to think outside of the box and take risks. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogohn' dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogohn' people, past and present, to these lands and waters. Marcus is a Ph.D. student in the graduate field of chemical engineering. Often, your hobbies and interests might paint a good picture of what your major should be. If you love writing fiction in your spare time, why not major in literature? 10 0 obj <> endobj However, in a field such as business, which generally does not require professional licensure, it may still be advantageous to graduate from a program that is accredited by one of the three bodies that accredit business schools and programs. These will be Marcus minor concentrations. Opens New Window. There are multiple points of curricular integration between the two disciplines. Green and Hernandez, are both in the field of mechanical engineering and are representing the concentrations of thermal science and energy and sustainability, respectively. If youre getting a four-year degree, your major will generally fall under one of two categories: Bachelor of the Arts or Bachelor of Science. The student, with the assistance of the faculty mentors, must formulate in writing and submit to the home college curriculum committee an Independent Major Approval form bearing the signatures of all faculty mentors and a proposal containing the following items: A meeting of all faculty mentors and the student must be held before college approval of the major program. The table below offers a simplified example of how crediting and coursework requirements might be structured for a bachelors program that allots an average of three credits per course and that requires students to earn 120 credits, which is a common number of credits for a bachelors program. Emergency Information Students who hold a bachelors degree in the same field as a masters program or who have professional experience in that field may not be required to take one or more of the programs introductory courses. If the disciplines partnering in the independent major are in different colleges, the college of the primary mentor will be designated as the home college, in which the student will be registered and from which the student will be graduated.
There are two additional components that may be required as part of a masters degree program. Transition criteria are designed to help ensure that students who change major have a reasonable chance of academic success and program completion. Who Accredits Online Masters in Accounting Degree Programs? Students should declare a minor as early as possible and no later than the end of the junior year. Other students decide to select minors that they are personally interested in but wont necessarily complement their majors. The table below compares masters programs that fall on two ends of the crediting spectrum. All Rights Reserved. The student has a cumulative grade-point average of2.000or greater and satisfactorily completes the transition criteria as defined by the receiving major. The student is responsible for securing the advice and approval of faculty mentors, at least one from each of the disciplines. You may be expanding your horizons and showing that you have versatility in your education. Social Work is another example of a field in which a bachelors degree in social work (BSW) may be advantageous for students who intend to pursue a masters degree. While the upper division coursework offered in bachelors programs may overlap with introductory masters program coursework, bachelors program curricula are designed to provide students with a foundation for further academic and professional achievement through a combination of general education coursework and a designated cluster of courses in a particular major. %PDF-1.5 % Your major will be the cornerstone of your college career: a concentration of classes that can help equip you for starting your career after graduation. endstream endobj 11 0 obj <> endobj 12 0 obj <> endobj 13 0 obj <>stream | A minor consists of a minimum of four courses defined by a department or an interdisciplinary program. Some students find the process of choosing a major and a minor to be daunting. Whats the difference between a major vs. minor? If the two majors are in different colleges,the degree is associated with the major in the home college. Box 425589 The student meets the criteria for immediate entry as defined by the receiving major. The importance of programmatic accreditation varies by field but is typically more crucial in fields that require professional licensure, like counseling, nursing, and social work, than in fields that do not have licensure requirements. International students must consult with an advisor in the Office of Global Services to request updated documentation reflecting engagement in the second bachelors degree program. However, most bachelors programs, regardless of their admissions standards, require applicants to have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Students wishing to join some majors must also audition or submit a portfolio, as indicated on the aforementioned webpage. Some people choose minors that complement their majors, and some decide to go with minors that are entirely different than their primary field of study. Although minors can often round out your degree and provide depth and context to your education, they are not considered to be stand-alone degrees or certifications. The student must complete the Request to Add a Minor form found on theGraduate School website or submit the request to add a minor on their degree plan/degree audit. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. You cant get a degree for a minor independent of your major. All degree requirements for the second major that are not included on the student record for the first degree must be fulfilled. The way bachelors programs are structured varies by school and by program, and there may be structural variations between different majors offered by the same school. For initial information and advice, interested students should consult their academic advisor. For example, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program curriculum typically includes required courses in key business functions, such as accounting, finance, logistics, marketing, organizational science, and personnel and project management. In addition to institutional accreditation, specific types of academic undergraduate and graduate programs may receive programmatic accreditation from accrediting bodies in certain fields, such as business, counseling, nursing, and social work. Does the SHRM Accredit Masters in HRM Degree Programs? Public Administration and Social Services, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting, Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and University (NWCCU), The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Both of those concentrations amplify the history degree and provide depth and context to the study. Some bachelors programs may also require a certain number of general education credits in other areas, such a foreign language or physical education. Home College Major vs. Minor Whats the Difference?