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What is the difference between a major and a minor in college? Do you need to have both?
I’ve always heard some college students mention majoring and minoring in different subjects and I just couldn’t understand why they had Both and what the difference was between them.
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Shaye’s Answer
Agree to the above answers. To share some examples a major could be Mechanical Engineering and a minor could be Economics. These two subjects are not directly correlated but if the student has an interest in business she/he can decide to add a minor, with the result being having more opportunities and more speaking points during an interview.
For myself I majored in Chemical Engineering and minored in Petroleum Engineering. These two complements each other as I was aiming for a job in the Energy Industry. It didn't directly impact the amount of opportunities I was given, but it showed the hiring companies that I work hard and able to get good results with high workload.
Keep in mind that minors may not be added to your diploma, but may be added to your transcript. You can also add it yourself to your resume, bio, or LinkedIn of course. Minors could be a lot of work and it might matter to some people that it doesn't show on the diploma. If it's something you're considering and care about make sure to research and talk to the school's class counselor to get more information.
For myself I majored in Chemical Engineering and minored in Petroleum Engineering. These two complements each other as I was aiming for a job in the Energy Industry. It didn't directly impact the amount of opportunities I was given, but it showed the hiring companies that I work hard and able to get good results with high workload.
Keep in mind that minors may not be added to your diploma, but may be added to your transcript. You can also add it yourself to your resume, bio, or LinkedIn of course. Minors could be a lot of work and it might matter to some people that it doesn't show on the diploma. If it's something you're considering and care about make sure to research and talk to the school's class counselor to get more information.
Updated
Bhavna’s Answer
Hello Julissa,
A major is the primary focus of a student's college studies, while a minor is a secondary course of study. A major typically involves taking more classes in a particular subject area and typically results in a degree in that subject. A minor involves fewer classes, so it takes less time to complete. Majors and minors both require a certain amount of course credits, though minors usually require fewer. While it is not necessarily required to have both a major and a minor, some students may choose to pursue both due to their specific interests or career aspirations. Furthermore, having both a major and a minor can be an advantage when applying for jobs or further education since employers may view it positively.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
A major is the primary focus of a student's college studies, while a minor is a secondary course of study. A major typically involves taking more classes in a particular subject area and typically results in a degree in that subject. A minor involves fewer classes, so it takes less time to complete. Majors and minors both require a certain amount of course credits, though minors usually require fewer. While it is not necessarily required to have both a major and a minor, some students may choose to pursue both due to their specific interests or career aspirations. Furthermore, having both a major and a minor can be an advantage when applying for jobs or further education since employers may view it positively.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
Thank you so much, Bhavna!
Julissa
Updated
Brianna’s Answer
These pertain to your credit hours and how they are distributed. A major is the subject that you've taken the majority of your classes in. A minor is a subject that you have many credit hours in, but haven't met the cap for a major. For example, someone who majors in Biology and minors in Chemistry may have taken 20 biology-related courses and 10 chemistry-related courses.
At least one major is required for graduation. Some people are able to double-major in multiple subjects if they meet the major credit requirements. A minor is not required and is often supplementary. For example: majoring in political science and minoring in economics, majoring in education and minoring in English. Other minors can have nothing to do with your major and express a separate interest. For example: majoring in chemistry and minoring in performance art. A minor is often a great way to show your overlapping and well-rounded interests and provide you with a wider breadth of options when going on the search for jobs.
At least one major is required for graduation. Some people are able to double-major in multiple subjects if they meet the major credit requirements. A minor is not required and is often supplementary. For example: majoring in political science and minoring in economics, majoring in education and minoring in English. Other minors can have nothing to do with your major and express a separate interest. For example: majoring in chemistry and minoring in performance art. A minor is often a great way to show your overlapping and well-rounded interests and provide you with a wider breadth of options when going on the search for jobs.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Julissa
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Hi Julissa- Something else you might consider, depending on what you choose to major in. Some majors, business for example, lend themselves well for a student to attain a double or even triple major without having to add on any additional time/semesters. A lot of business related majors( ie; finance, marketing, accounting etc.) all have many of the same course requirements. So if you plan properly( by getting good counsel from your advisor) you might be able to take the necessary courses over 4 years, to attain at least a double major. Having two or three majors that compliment one another, could be a great asset in marketing yourself beyond graduation.
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Chirayu’s Answer
In college, a major is a student's primary field of study and the main focus of their degree program. It usually requires completion of a set of courses and a substantial amount of coursework in a specific subject area. A major is usually chosen based on a student's academic and career interests. A minor, on the other hand, is a secondary field of study that complements a student's major. It usually requires a smaller number of courses and is designed to give a student additional knowledge and skills in a related subject area. Minors are optional, and a student can choose to pursue one or not, depending on their individual goals and interests. You do not need to have both a major and a minor to earn a degree. Many students choose to focus solely on their major, while others opt to complement their major with a minor. The choice depends on a student's interests, career goals, and the requirements of their college or university.
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James’s Answer
Hello there! A major is what you will take the most classes for. It is the field you have the most knowledge about. When you receive your degree, it will be in that subject field. A minor is a concentration of credits like a major, but not as many.
Most people choose minors that pertain to or support their major. This is not required, however. You can select a minor that has nothing to do with your major. Just ensure that it's something you're interested in.
Most people choose minors that pertain to or support their major. This is not required, however. You can select a minor that has nothing to do with your major. Just ensure that it's something you're interested in.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Julissa
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hi Julissa'
Great Question, In a Nutshell, in a Bachelor's Degree, the Major is the main focus of your studies and the Minor is a secondary specialization. Your Major should be the field of study in which you wish to pursue a professional career, while the Minor can be either a complementary subject to that goal or a further exploration of a hobby or interest.
The choice is yours, but there's nothing wrong with expanding your knowledge beyond your key major.
Best,
Aisha T
Great Question, In a Nutshell, in a Bachelor's Degree, the Major is the main focus of your studies and the Minor is a secondary specialization. Your Major should be the field of study in which you wish to pursue a professional career, while the Minor can be either a complementary subject to that goal or a further exploration of a hobby or interest.
The choice is yours, but there's nothing wrong with expanding your knowledge beyond your key major.
Best,
Aisha T