Douglas Olsen
Students at Columbia University can change their major or program of study. To do so, students must meet with a counsellor or an advisor, who will help them build a new degree plan and update their goal in the system. Students can also take career courses to help them decide on a major. After the major declaration period, students can work with their advising dean to discuss their options and complete a change-of-major form. Columbia College students must complete the CC Change of Program Form and bring it to the CSA in 403 Lerner, while Columbia Engineering students must complete the SEAS Change of Program Form, obtain departmental approval and a signature, and bring the form to the CSA in 403 Lerner.
What You'll Learn
Changing majors at Columbia University
Once a student has decided on a new major, they must complete the necessary paperwork. For Columbia College, students complete the CC Change of Program Form and bring it to the CSA in 403 Lerner. For Columbia Engineering, students complete the SEAS Change of Program Form, obtain departmental approval and a signature, and then bring the form to the CSA in 403 Lerner.
Additionally, students can update their major or Program of Study by connecting with a Columbia College Counselor, who will help build a new degree plan and update the student's goal in the system. It is important to note that students must declare a Program of Study, even if it is 'undecided', to be eligible for financial aid.
The Berick Center for Student Advising is located at 403 Alfred Lerner Hall, 2920 Broadway New York, NY 10027, and can be reached at (212) 854-6378. Their operating hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An Advisor of the Day is available during these hours by phone or in person.
Exploring William Paterson University's Student Population
You may want to see also
The process of declaring a major
When you are ready to declare your major, you will need to follow the steps below. For Columbia College, the online system will be open for a set period, during which students can log in and declare their major, concentration, and/or special concentration. The steps are as follows:
- Visit https://majordec.college.columbia.edu/cc/.
- Enter your UNI and password.
- Select your major/concentration from the drop-down menus.
- Select an additional major, concentration, or special concentration from the drop-down menus (this step is optional).
- Check your email for a confirmation message and information about advising in your new department.
If you are a student at Columbia Engineering, you will need to complete the SEAS Change of Program Form, obtain departmental approval and a signature, and then bring the form to the CSA in 403 Lerner.
If you want to change your major/concentration after the major declaration period, you can work with your advising dean to discuss your options and complete a change-of-major form.
McGill University PhD Students: Understanding Tuition Fees
You may want to see also
Choosing a major
Self-Reflection:
The first step in choosing a major is to engage in self-reflection and consider your interests, values, skills, and personality style. Think about the subjects that spark your curiosity and align with your passions. Are there specific topics you enjoy learning about or activities that excite you? By understanding yourself and what matters to you, you can start narrowing down potential majors.
Counselling Services:
Columbia University offers various counselling services to assist you in choosing a major. Counsellors can provide you with personality and interest assessments, exploration activities, and helpful websites to research different majors. They can guide you through the process, offer support, and help you make a well-informed decision.
Exploring Majors:
Take the time to explore the 'Programs of Study' or academics websites at Columbia University to learn about the different majors available. Look into the courses, requirements, and outcomes of each major. Rate each major as a "yes," "maybe," or "no," and as you gather more information, you can refine your list. Consider your strengths and weaknesses and how each major aligns with your interests and future goals.
Career Exploration:
Another approach is to start with career exploration. Think about the careers that interest you and then consider the majors that align with those careers. Columbia University offers career courses, such as Guidance 1 - Career Life Planning and Guidance 11 - Occupational Exploration, which can help you in this process. You can also visit the Career Center to gain insight into different career paths and the majors that can lead to them.
Declaration Process:
Once you have decided on a major, you will need to officially declare it. At Columbia University, there is a period designated for major declaration, and you will typically receive an email notification when the online system is live. Follow the steps provided by the university to declare your major, concentration, and/or special concentration. Remember that you must declare a Program of Study, even if you are undecided, to maintain your financial aid eligibility.
Remember, choosing a major is an important decision, but it is not set in stone. If you change your mind or decide to explore a different path, you can work with your advising dean and counsellors to discuss your options and complete a change-of-major form.
Student Loan and Universal Credit: What Counts as Income?
You may want to see also
Majors that require approval
Students at Columbia University can change their major at any time, as long as they receive the requisite departmental approval, fulfil the requirements, and are able to graduate by the end of their eighth semester.
To change their major, students must file a new declaration form online or in hard copy with the advising dean in the Berick Center for Student Advising.
Columbia College students can choose from more than 80 areas of study, including interdisciplinary options and joint programs. However, some majors require students to apply and be accepted, such as Comparative Literature and Society, Medical Humanities, and the Special Concentration in Business Management.
Students are expected to complete their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in eight full-time semesters, with the last two semesters taken while enrolled at Columbia's Morningside campus or on a Columbia-sponsored international program. To graduate with a B.A., students must successfully complete a minimum of 124 points of academic coursework, including the full Core Curriculum, and all requirements for their major. They must also earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
The process for declaring or changing a major is as follows:
- Visit https://majordec.college.columbia.edu/cc/.
- Enter your UNI and password.
- Select majors/concentrations from the drop-down menus.
- Select an additional major, concentration, or special concentration from the drop-down menus (if desired).
- Check your email for a confirmation message and information about advising in your new department.
Idaho University's Student Population: How Many?
You may want to see also
Counselling for choosing a major
Choosing a major at Columbia University can be a challenging process, and the university offers various counselling services to help students make an informed decision. The process of choosing a major involves considering one's interests, values, skills, and even personality style. The first step is self-discovery, and Columbia University offers personality and interest assessments, exploration activities, and websites to research the various majors available.
Students can explore the 'Programs of Study' or academics websites at Columbia to learn about each major and rate them according to their preferences. This process can help narrow down the options and identify areas of interest. Another approach suggested by the university is to first search for careers that align with one's interests and then consider which majors could lead to those careers. Columbia University offers career courses such as Guidance 1 - Career Life Planning and Guidance 11 - Occupational Exploration to assist students in this process.
Additionally, Columbia University provides counselling services to support students in choosing a major. Counsellors can guide students through the decision-making process, offering personality and interest assessments, exploration activities, and resources for researching different majors. These resources are available to help students make a well-informed decision about their major, which is an important step in their academic journey.
If a student at Columbia University wishes to change their major, they can do so by working with their advising dean to discuss their options and complete a change-of-major form. The specific process may vary depending on the school or college within the university, but the Berick Center for Student Advising is a dedicated resource for students seeking guidance in this area.
Student Orchestras at the University of Connecticut: What You Need Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can change your major at Columbia University. If you want to change your major/concentration after the major declaration period, you can work with your advising dean to discuss your options and complete a change-of-major form.
To change your major, you must first complete a change-of-major form. For Columbia College, this is the CC Change of Program Form, and for Columbia Engineering, it is the SEAS Change of Program Form. You must then bring this form to the CSA in 403 Lerner. For Columbia Engineering, you must also get departmental approval and a signature.
Yes, if you want to change your major, you must meet with a counsellor for assistance.
If you are undecided about your major, there are a variety of ways that counsellors can help you. This includes personality and interest assessments, exploration activities, and research on websites.
