Admission to your major is an important administrative step that officially designates your chosen field of study and the degree you will receive, and is a WSU requirement for graduation. Each academic unit will provide a specific pathway to the degree which outlines admission-to-the-major requirements as well as requirements to maintain eligibility to complete the major and degree.
How do I apply for admission to my major?
The process is simple and your academic advisor will help you complete the steps.
Beginning in the summer of 2020, incoming and transfer students will generally be admitted to their intended major during New Coug Orientation. Students who are uncertain of their major or who are not ready to declare a major will be enroll as a Deciding/Exploring student. Current students and those re-enrolling should contact their academic advisor to verify admission-to-the-major steps have been completed.
For degree programs with admission-to-the-major prerequisites, you can request admission once you have completed the appropriate requirements. Contact your advisor for more information. Program-specific details are available below and in the WSU Catalog, and overall WSU admission requirements are included in Academic Regulation #53.
Why do I need to do this?
- Admission to the major is a WSU graduation requirement.
- In some high-demand degree programs, upper-division courses are only open to admitted majors.
- Departments may offer additional scholarship opportunities for admitted students.
- Admitted students may also have additional opportunities to work with faculty mentors. Benefits include advice on potential careers, support for graduate degree programs, and participation in research projects. Your academic advisor can help you connect with available faculty.
What if I change my mind?
Most of the time, changing majors is also a relatively simple process. Begin by notifying your current advisor about your intent to change your major. Your current advisor will be able to connect you with an advisor in the new department and will help facilitate the transition.
What if I don’t know what I want to major in yet?
Dedicated advisors at the Academic Success and Career Center.are available to guide you through selecting aprimary academic area that matches your interests and strengths.
What are the specific requirements for admission each CAS degree?
Speak with your academic advisor for complete details:
Anthropology
Complete the Department of Anthropology’s declaration of intent.
Art
Requirements vary by degree option. Details available from a Department of Fine Arts advisor.
Biology
Successfully complete 24 semester credits in any coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher; and complete the School of Biological Sciences’s request for admission.
Chemistry
Complete the Department of Chemistry’s declaration of intent.
Comparative Ethnic Studies
Complete the School of Languages, Cultures, and Race’s declaration of intent.
Criminal Justice
Successfully complete Criminal Justice 101; have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher; and complete the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology’s request for admission.
Data Analytics
Successfully complete 24 semester credits in any coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and complete the Data Analytics program’s request for admission.
Digital Technology & Culture
Successfully complete DTC 101 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher; have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher; and complete the Digital Technology and Culture program’s request for admission.
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Complete the School of the Environment’s declaration of intent.
English
Complete the Department of English’s declaration of intent.
Foreign Language
Complete the School of Languages, Cultures, and Race’s declaration of intent for your specific area of study.
Humanities
Complete the School of Languages, Cultures, and Race’s declaration of intent.
History
Successfully complete 24 semester credits in any coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher for the general option or a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for all other options; and complete the Department of History’s request for admission.
Human Biology
Complete the Department of Anthropology’s declaration of intent.
Mathematics
Successfully complete Math 171, Math 172, and Math 220; have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher; have a Math Core GPA of 2.5 or higher; and complete the Department of Mathematics and Statistics’s request for admission.
Music
Complete the School of Music’s declaration of intent.
Philosophy
Complete the School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affair’s declaration of intent.
Physics
Complete the Department of Physics and Astronomy’s declaration of intent.
Political Science
Complete the School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affair’s declaration of intent, including specialization option (general, global, or pre-law).
Psychology
Successfully complete Psychology 311 with a grade of ‘C-‘ or higher; have completed 30 semester credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; and complete the Department of Psychology’s request for admission.
Sciences (General Studies)
- Biological
Complete the School of Biological Sciences’s declaration of intent. - Mathematics
Complete the Department of Mathematics and Statistics’s declaration of intent. - Physical Sciences
Complete the Department of Physics and Astronomy’s declaration of intent.
Social Sciences
Complete the School of Languages, Cultures, and Race’s declaration of intent.
Sociology
Complete the Department of Sociology’s declaration of intent.
Women’s Studies
Complete the Department of English’s declaration of intent.
