Choosing Minors

Minors add breadth and coherence to an undergraduate education. In conjunction with a major field, a minor can help students achieve a more well-developed expertise in related areas of study.

Alternately, a minor can be used to achieve a well-rounded, broadened course of study that  allows students to cultivate interests separate from their declared major. 

Weighing the Decision to Minor

The decision whether to pursue a minor should be weighed against several alternatives:

  • Achieving significant breadth within the major, sometimes through honors or a senior project
  • Pursuing a more varied, less prescribed, curriculum outside your major
  • Undertaking academic opportunities that require significant time and planning, such as honors, research, public service and overseas study

The advantages to each alternative depend on your intellectual interests and goals. In all cases, the choice of a minor deserves careful consideration and consultation with faculty and academic advisors. For further information:

Choosing a Minor

Since a minor is an option rather than a requirement, carefully consider your goals before pursuing any minor in conjunction with your declared major. Consider the following points in making an informed decision:

  • Identify your personal goals in pursuing a minor. Do you want to pursue a minor related to your major field? Or do you want a minor that provides balance and variety in your coursework?
  • Browse the Bulletin. Look not only at the minor requirements for different programs, but also for courses that interest you. Then look for those that provide a useful complement or contrast to your major field of study, regardless of their relevance to minor requirements. You may decide to forego a minor to pursue a selection of courses that creates coherence with your overall educational goals. 
  • Consult departmental / program websites. These often provide the most detailed discussion of the specific disciplinary goals and practices that characterize study in the minor. They also outline the research interests and expertise of the faculty. 
  • Consult with an advisor. Talk with either a UAR advisor or your faculty advisor about minors that might pair well with your major. Also ask about how to use a minor to provide balance to your course of study (e.g., pairing a humanities minor with a science major).

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Counting Courses in Minors and Majors


Students pursuing a minor cannot double-count courses for completing major and minor requirements unless they satisfy an introductory skill requirement (e.g., intro math or foreign language). For instance, students majoring in an engineering field must meet a “school requirement” in the School of Engineering. If you have any questions about double-counting courses, consult with an advisor.

Declaring a Minor

You must declare your minor no later than the deadline for your application to graduate. Note that some departments or programs set earlier deadlines for declaration; verify dates with department / program student services administrators. 

The process of declaring a minor strongly resembles that for declaring a major.

  • Determine the prospective department process for declaring a minor. Most departments expect students to visit their undergraduate offices before completing the declaration process. Some require students to fill out a form and select a faculty advisor before declaring. To find the specific process required by your department, visit its website or talk to your department Student Services administrator.
  • Declare your minor through Axess. Follow the instructions on the “Declaration of Minor” link on Axess to petition the prospective department of your official request to minor in their program.
  • Receive confirmation that you have been accepted as a minor. The department will contact you to let you know if you have been accepted as a minor in its program. They will also identify any next steps you need to take.
  • Complete a “Major-Minor and Multiple Major Course Approval Form.” On this form, list which courses you intend to apply to your major and which to your minor. Your department will use the form to confirm that your plan of study meets the necessary requirements for the minor without any prohibited course overlap. This form must be signed and submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the application-to-graduate-deadline for the quarter in which you plan to graduate.

Changing a Minor


You can change your minor at any time by dropping your existing minor or declaring a new one on Axess. If you are thinking of changing your minor declaration, be sure to consult with your academic advisor before doing so.

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