Choosing a Major
"So, what are you majoring in?"
If you're sick and tired of hearing this question, you're not alone. Tons
of freshmen and sophomores put off answering that same question until they
absolutely have to face it. But the end of the spring semester nears, and
for many of you, the time has come. How will you decide what major is perfect
for you?
The following is a list of frequently asked questions about college majors that should help reduce some of the confusion.
What is a major?
A major is like a contract between you and the school. By declaring a major,
you agree to perform certain work, (i.e. take certain classes) in exchange
for a specific degree. In other words, a major is an organized collection
of classes which revolve around your chosen subject (e.g. mathematics) or
professional field (e.g. Multimedia Programming and Design, Engineering,
etc.)
Is choosing a major one of the most important decisions of my life?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average college graduate
changes jobs once every three years and changes career fields two or three
times in their lifetime. So, if you are worried that a college major locks
you into a specific career for the rest of your life, think again. Well,
yes and no. While choosing the "right" major early in your academic
career can save you time, money, and personal agony, the major you choose
will neither predict nor guarantee your future. When do I need to choose
a major?
There is not a specific time frame for declaring a major at BMCC. However, a student may loose credits if they wait too long to switch their major and have already taken too many courses.
What if I change my mind?
While nothing is written in stone and you can file a request to change your
major with the Registrar's office at anytime, that doesn't mean it's easy.
For some majors, you must take specific courses (prerequisites) during your
first and second semesters before you can even be considered eligible for
upper level courses. So, changing your major from, say, Writing and Literature
to Engineering Science can result in a substantial time penalty, especially
if you've never taken Math!
How do I change my major/curriculum?
You may pick up a "Change of Curriculum" form from the Registrar's
office or download
a curriculum change form from the web site. The form requires both a
counselor's and a chairperson's signature, so you must come to BMCC to complete
the process.
Download
a change of curriculum form.
Students who wish to change their major should do so before the pre-registration
period to ensure correct advisement.
How do I know what courses are required by each major?
Degree requirements are published in both the college bulletin and on the
web site. Each provide a list of required classes, course descriptions and
any other requirements you might need to fulfill (e.g. internship) in order
to graduate. Course guidelines are revised yearly, so make sure you check
them periodically.