Choosing a Major-eab

Let's bust the myth that you should know your major at 17 or 18. It's great if you do, but it's common to not know or to change majors in college. We're here to help you along your journey. At Western, you'll have the option to get a strong academic foundation through WMU Essential Studies, a core curriculum program that allows you to identify classes that interest you.

The curriculum is designed to prepare you with the skills that employers most value. You'll develop the ability to solve complex problems, become a critical thinker and good decision-maker, and enhance your emotional intelligence, among other sought-after professional skills.

In addition to giving you a solid knowledge base, we also provide academic and career counseling to help you discover your passion and guide you to creating a professional pathway to pursue it.

At Western, we encourage you to explore your choices. We’re here to provide support so you can find success.

Check out your career options

A nursing student practicing on a dummy with an instructor watching.

 

When you study at Western, you’re getting prepared for lifelong learning for a changing world. That means we'll help you translate your interests and passions into a promising career. To get started, explore our resources to help with finding the major that's right for you.

To understand where your major of choice can take you, explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Enter a major, career or interest and learn about the average salaries, working conditions and related occupations associated with that field.
The interest that (faculty and staff) take in what you're interested in, what you want to do with your life, what you want to do with your career—I think that's really where Western inspires and motivates people to find the strength within themselves to push on and get back up (when challenges arise).
—Quinn Heiser, B.A.'23 philosophy and B.S.'23 geography

We make finding your career path easy

Explore majors and minors:

With more than 150 undergraduate programs available at Western, you'll have the option to explore whichever area of study is right for you.

Talk to a career advisor:

Our career advisors will guide you to better understand yourself and your interests, values and skills so you can make optimal decisions for your future.

Research career opportunities:

Take advantage of Career and Student Employment Services and explore how to find employers, land an internship and enhance your interviewing and negotiating skills.

Take the career exploration course:

This course helps you learn more about yourself, what you value, how to make solid career decisions and plan for the future.

Questions to ask my academic advisor

Do you have names of graduates of this program who would be willing to talk with me about the program and employment opportunities?
  • Do you know of any volunteer opportunities in this field?


  • What types of jobs can I get with this major?


  • What minor(s) would you suggest that would complement this major?


  • Are there any registered student organizations (RSOs), honors or professional organizations related to this major that I can get involved with on campus?


  • Do you have a list of course requirements and prerequisites for this major?

I plan to take (X) number of credit hours per semester. How long will it take me to graduate?

Students at a computer, in discussion.

Declaring your major

Congratulations on deciding which major to pursue! 

The next action you want to take is to meet with your departmental advisor, who will help you fill out the necessary paperwork to make things official.

Make the most of your major

WMU Signature

This program is a designed for students to showcase a cumulative integrative learning project that expresses their unique experience and solution-oriented approach to a real-world problem.

Learn more about WMU Signature  

Career and Student Employment Services

This is your go-to place for career exploration, jobs and internships, and improving your interview and negotiating skills.

Learn more about career services