5 answers
Kensley
Student
Parksville, SC
9
Questions
Asked
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If I decide to change my major, how difficult is it to do so Will it extend my time from graduating in four years? #fall25?
I'm will be attending college in the Fall of 2026. I'm curious to know if at some point I want to change my major from psychology. Will I still be able to graduate in four years?
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5 answers
Jean Rosston
Staff Development Manager
2
Answers
Anchorage, Alaska
Updated
Jean’s Answer
Hi Kensley,
I switched my major at the end of my first year and still graduated on time. I suggest you take 2-3 general education courses and 1-2 psychology classes each term during your freshman year. Taking a few psychology courses will help you decide if it's the right fit for you. Plus, your professors and TAs can offer guidance and connect you with seniors or recent graduates who can show you different career paths in psychology.
If you find psychology isn't for you, you'll still be on track to graduate on time because you're taking general education courses that count towards your degree. Remember, you can always switch from a psychology major to a minor if needed.
Each school has different requirements for completing a major, so it's important to talk to an on-campus counselor as soon as possible. They can help you figure out what classes you need for your new major and see if any classes from your old major can count towards it. Try to meet with your counselor at least once a year, or ideally each term, to ensure you're on track to graduate when you plan to and meet all your degree requirements.
Meet with your college credit counselor.
Go to office hours for a professor/TA.
Enroll in general education classes in addition to 1-2 major specific classes your freshman year.
I switched my major at the end of my first year and still graduated on time. I suggest you take 2-3 general education courses and 1-2 psychology classes each term during your freshman year. Taking a few psychology courses will help you decide if it's the right fit for you. Plus, your professors and TAs can offer guidance and connect you with seniors or recent graduates who can show you different career paths in psychology.
If you find psychology isn't for you, you'll still be on track to graduate on time because you're taking general education courses that count towards your degree. Remember, you can always switch from a psychology major to a minor if needed.
Each school has different requirements for completing a major, so it's important to talk to an on-campus counselor as soon as possible. They can help you figure out what classes you need for your new major and see if any classes from your old major can count towards it. Try to meet with your counselor at least once a year, or ideally each term, to ensure you're on track to graduate when you plan to and meet all your degree requirements.
Jean recommends the following next steps:
Brianna Duda
Legal education
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Brianna’s Answer
Hi Kensley,
My name is Brianna and I was a college orientation program employee for three years! Your first two years of college will likely be general education classes with some classes related to your major. Typically, changing your major before your junior year will not prevent you from graduating in four years. Your junior and senior year classes will be mostly related to your major. If you decided to change your major halfway through your junior year or during your senior year, there is a chance you might have to extend beyond the 4 years.
This is especially true if your change in major is very different from psychology. For example, say you are switching from computer science to information technology. Many of the required classes for each of these degrees are the same. You will have already taken many of the core required classes and it will be easy to pivot from computer science to information technology.
Changing from something like biology to political science would be more of a transition, although definitely doable! Very few required classes from biology are also required for political science. You would need to take the political science classes required to graduate which could, depending on how many courses are requirement, add time on to your degree.
Most colleges and universities will work with you if you change your major. They will do their best to help you graduate in four years! I would visit your academic advisor or career center on campus if you think about changing your major once you get started. I am glad to see you are keeping an open mind! Most college students do change their major at least once, and there is nothing wrong with that. Wishing you the best of luck as you start college next fall!
Best,
Brianna
My name is Brianna and I was a college orientation program employee for three years! Your first two years of college will likely be general education classes with some classes related to your major. Typically, changing your major before your junior year will not prevent you from graduating in four years. Your junior and senior year classes will be mostly related to your major. If you decided to change your major halfway through your junior year or during your senior year, there is a chance you might have to extend beyond the 4 years.
This is especially true if your change in major is very different from psychology. For example, say you are switching from computer science to information technology. Many of the required classes for each of these degrees are the same. You will have already taken many of the core required classes and it will be easy to pivot from computer science to information technology.
Changing from something like biology to political science would be more of a transition, although definitely doable! Very few required classes from biology are also required for political science. You would need to take the political science classes required to graduate which could, depending on how many courses are requirement, add time on to your degree.
Most colleges and universities will work with you if you change your major. They will do their best to help you graduate in four years! I would visit your academic advisor or career center on campus if you think about changing your major once you get started. I am glad to see you are keeping an open mind! Most college students do change their major at least once, and there is nothing wrong with that. Wishing you the best of luck as you start college next fall!
Best,
Brianna
KellyAnne Brophy
Program Manager
2
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
KellyAnne’s Answer
Hi Kensley! If you're thinking about changing your major, start by considering what new field interests you. Colleges usually have core classes for all majors, which you take in your first few semesters. This is a good time to explore subjects other than psychology.
Switching majors is easier in your freshman or sophomore year. If you want to change later, it's simpler to move to a major within the same department as psychology. Changing to something like engineering or chemistry might be harder. Graduating in four years depends on the classes you need and when you decide to switch, but it's possible.
Make sure to visit your college's career center and talk to your academic advisor. They can help you with changing majors, choosing a minor, and finding career paths related to your interests.
Switching majors is easier in your freshman or sophomore year. If you want to change later, it's simpler to move to a major within the same department as psychology. Changing to something like engineering or chemistry might be harder. Graduating in four years depends on the classes you need and when you decide to switch, but it's possible.
Make sure to visit your college's career center and talk to your academic advisor. They can help you with changing majors, choosing a minor, and finding career paths related to your interests.
Sophie Le
Legal Research
1
Answer
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Sophie’s Answer
Hi! I encourage you to do what is right for you regardless if it can be easy or difficult. In general, it is easier if it's the same degree or "school" within the university. Such as going from one langage major to another or one science degree to another. But it would be more challenging if you were going from an English or language major to a math or science major (B.A. to B.S. degree). Whether it extends your time to graduation may also depend on how many overlapping general educations are required or that you've already completed. But stepping back a little it and looking at the big picture, it sounds like you are having some doubts about psychology already. You don't have to declare a major upon entering college. You can complete your general education classes first before diving into major-focused courses. It is part of the purpose of those general education courses - so you can discover what you like/don't like. Since it is generally more difficult to go form a B.A. to B.S. degree, maybe consider taking B.S. general education courses first. College counselors are able to provide you with the requirements for the degrees, what general education courses are offered - you can take a look at these beforehand.
Yasmin Mohamed Alamin
Clinical Nutrition Student
63
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Kensley👋🏻...
Changing your major is pretty common in college, and it’s not something to fear Most students switch at least once, Whether it delays graduation depends on when you change and what you switch into.
If you change your major in your first year or very early in your second year you can usually stay on track to graduate in four years That’s because the first year is mostly general education classes, things every major needs anyway.
It gets trickier if you switch much later or if the new major has a lot of specific requirements (like engineering, nursing, or a heavy science path) In that case, you might need an extra semester or year but it’s not automatic.
Here’s the real key: talk to an academic advisor as soon as you start thinking about switching Advisors can map out exactly what classes will transfer over and what your new timeline would look like.
You’re starting college in Fall 2026, so you have time. Keep an open mind when you take your first-year classes. You might love psychology, or you might discover something that fits you even better and both paths are completely normal.
College is built for exploration You’re not locking yourself into anything on day one, and you won’t “ruin” your timeline just because you grow and learn along the way.
Changing your major is pretty common in college, and it’s not something to fear Most students switch at least once, Whether it delays graduation depends on when you change and what you switch into.
If you change your major in your first year or very early in your second year you can usually stay on track to graduate in four years That’s because the first year is mostly general education classes, things every major needs anyway.
It gets trickier if you switch much later or if the new major has a lot of specific requirements (like engineering, nursing, or a heavy science path) In that case, you might need an extra semester or year but it’s not automatic.
Here’s the real key: talk to an academic advisor as soon as you start thinking about switching Advisors can map out exactly what classes will transfer over and what your new timeline would look like.
You’re starting college in Fall 2026, so you have time. Keep an open mind when you take your first-year classes. You might love psychology, or you might discover something that fits you even better and both paths are completely normal.
College is built for exploration You’re not locking yourself into anything on day one, and you won’t “ruin” your timeline just because you grow and learn along the way.