Which major is best for you?

Western Michigan University offers more than 240 academic programs to students pursuing degrees through the doctoral level. The College of Arts and Sciences teaches over 52 percent of all student credit hours at all WMU campuses.  If you are uncertain which major to choose or what you may be able to do with your major, you may:

• Meet with a career advisor in Career and Student Employment Services (269) 387-2745
• Register with BroncoJobs to obtain information on various job opportunities and career search options
• Complete the career self-assessment through the Counseling and Testing Center or one of the shorter career explorations programs through Career and Student Employment Services
• Enroll in UNIV 1020: Career Exploration and Development

Some programs of study will require you to be a declared major/minor in order to take the department courses; however, knowing your academic strengths, weaknesses, and interests will help you to develop a schedule of courses that will be beneficial regardless of your major/minor. General education courses or entry level major/minor courses can assist you in exporing these areas.

Meeting with an advisor

The number of advisors you have depends on your major/minor, but most students in the College of Arts and Sciences will have:

• A department advisor for major requirements
• A department advisor for minor requirements
• A college advisor for the general education curriculum and degree requirements

An advisor serves as an information liaison between you and the University and will review program requirements, assist with program planning and can be a great resource for career opportunities. Ideally, you should see each advisor at least once or twice a year to ensure that you are progressing through your program requirements in an efficient and timely manner.

Academic catalogs can change each year; therefore, graduation requirements (major/minor or curriculum) may change with each revision. Discussions regarding your catalog year should take place with your advisor(s). Any requirements, restrictions, and guidelines that apply to your catalog year apply to you. So, if you and a friend have the same major, you both may follow different catalog year requirements. When in doubt about requirements, check with your advisor(s).