Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences

Office of Academic Advising

Deciding on a Major

First Two Years

Use your first year to explore options. Investigate potential majors with professors in various departments and your academic advisor. Select courses that fulfill general education requirements and expose you to majors that interest you. This is a time in which you can focus on courses that seem most interesting, and a time to try new things. Enjoy this freedom.

Meet with your academic advisor each semester and share your thinking about possible majors. Discuss your strategies for exploring options during your academic planning meetings.

Get involved! Active participation in campus and community activities will help you grow clearer on your strengths, interests, and skills.

After the first year, work with your acadmic advisor to narrow down your choices and make a decision on a major. Bear in mind that although your major will direct your studies, the vast majority of Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences majors effectively prepare you for a number of career options.  By the end of your sophomore year, you should make your decision. Further delays could result in extra time needed to graduate.

Additional Resources

1. "Change of Major/Minor" or "Change of School" forms are available at the Office of Academic Advising on the second floor of the Mailman-Hollywood Building. If you need assistance with them, you can make an appointment to meet with your academic advisor.  

2. You may also want to visit the Office of Academic Services, where testing and tutoring services are available.

3. Talk to everyone you can about courses they took in your area of interest. Talk to other students and professors. What careers are graduates with these interests likely to enter? What degrees are required beyond the undergraduate degree? 

There are many other resources and services available that may be related to your area of interest. Please take advantage of all the opportunities that NSU has to offer.