3 answers
Imani
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
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How many times can I change majors in college ?
#college-student
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3 answers
Jason Criddle
Sales Manager
63
Answers
Boise, Idaho
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hi Imani,
I see a lot of College questions on this forum and find that there is a lot of confusion about it in general. One way to think about College is to remember that unlike High School, it is a business that sells a product. The more they sell and the more they can charge for that product the more they make. Some colleges (like state schools) have massive student bodies and sell education to the masses, others in a way to heighten their prestige limit how may can attend and charge accordingly. Therefore while some colleges may have specific rules surrounding changes in major (a good question to ask the colleges you are interested in) most universities do not. I have known of some students who have attended college for decades (yes, literally) and the school keeps cashing their tuition checks. Acquiring multiple degrees is not uncommon either - many students do it concurrently (dual major or minor studies). Most college students today attend to qualify for or learn how to do a perform in a career, but not all. Some actually attend college simply to learn and have no particular career goal for the knowledge they acquire. While this is rare (especially with the cost of tuition) it does still happen. The bottom line is that changing your course of study is not at all uncommon or even unexpected. For most however, completing school in as expeditious a manner as possible is the wise course of action as changing majors typically means additional classes, time, and money. Consider the fact that 41% of recent graduates work in jobs that don't actually require a degree and most people end up working in a field outside of their major anyway. If you are pursuing a highly specialized career path (typically STEM based) than your major matters a great deal, If not, don't stress it too much as you can change it anyway or may not even work a job in that course of learning anyway.
Good Luck!
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2020/02/18/41-recent-grads-work-jobs-not-requiring-degree
https://madisoncommons.org/2019/11/12/more-college-grads-land-jobs-outside-their-majors-and-thats-a-good-thing-experts-say/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20it%20is%20a,closely%20related%20to%20their%20majors.
I see a lot of College questions on this forum and find that there is a lot of confusion about it in general. One way to think about College is to remember that unlike High School, it is a business that sells a product. The more they sell and the more they can charge for that product the more they make. Some colleges (like state schools) have massive student bodies and sell education to the masses, others in a way to heighten their prestige limit how may can attend and charge accordingly. Therefore while some colleges may have specific rules surrounding changes in major (a good question to ask the colleges you are interested in) most universities do not. I have known of some students who have attended college for decades (yes, literally) and the school keeps cashing their tuition checks. Acquiring multiple degrees is not uncommon either - many students do it concurrently (dual major or minor studies). Most college students today attend to qualify for or learn how to do a perform in a career, but not all. Some actually attend college simply to learn and have no particular career goal for the knowledge they acquire. While this is rare (especially with the cost of tuition) it does still happen. The bottom line is that changing your course of study is not at all uncommon or even unexpected. For most however, completing school in as expeditious a manner as possible is the wise course of action as changing majors typically means additional classes, time, and money. Consider the fact that 41% of recent graduates work in jobs that don't actually require a degree and most people end up working in a field outside of their major anyway. If you are pursuing a highly specialized career path (typically STEM based) than your major matters a great deal, If not, don't stress it too much as you can change it anyway or may not even work a job in that course of learning anyway.
Good Luck!
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2020/02/18/41-recent-grads-work-jobs-not-requiring-degree
https://madisoncommons.org/2019/11/12/more-college-grads-land-jobs-outside-their-majors-and-thats-a-good-thing-experts-say/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20it%20is%20a,closely%20related%20to%20their%20majors.
Brian J.
Strategy
4
Answers
Round Rock, Texas
Updated
Brian’s Answer
It is not uncommon for a college student to change majors. In fact, according to some studies, a majority of college students change majors at least once.
That said, whether you are in middle/high school or in college already, it is helpful to explore various career options sooner than later. You can meet with your school/academic counselor & discuss resources to evaluate your career interests. This may include taking an aptitude & interest assessment, conversing with professionals who work in fields you would like to learn more about, participating in a career exploration class, doing your own research online, etc.
Sources:
https://www.collegetransfer.net/Articles/I-Want-To-Change/Change-Majors-or-Choose-Major
https://www.collegetransfer.net/Home/ChangeSwitchTransfer/Transfer-Student-Center/For-Changing-Majors
That said, whether you are in middle/high school or in college already, it is helpful to explore various career options sooner than later. You can meet with your school/academic counselor & discuss resources to evaluate your career interests. This may include taking an aptitude & interest assessment, conversing with professionals who work in fields you would like to learn more about, participating in a career exploration class, doing your own research online, etc.
Sources:
https://www.collegetransfer.net/Articles/I-Want-To-Change/Change-Majors-or-Choose-Major
https://www.collegetransfer.net/Home/ChangeSwitchTransfer/Transfer-Student-Center/For-Changing-Majors
Cameron Diep
Clinical Research Assistant
56
Answers
Palo Alto, California
Updated
Cameron’s Answer
Assuming that the process of changing majors at your school is easy, you can change your major as many times as you want or need to! Keep in mind, however, that the more often you change your major, the more classes you will likely need to take. This can increase the amount of time required for you to complete your degree and could potentially postpone your graduation date.