Declaring a Major or Minor
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
How do I declare a major?
Your major shapes your UC Santa Cruz journey by helping you develop expertise in an area that excites you. With over 70 unique majors available, each with its own curriculum, declaring your major or minor ensures you get the right courses, specialized advising, and resources aligned with your academic and career goals.
When should I declare?
| You entered UCSC as… | Declare no later than: |
|---|---|
| First Year or Sophomore | First few weeks of 6th quarter |
| Upper-Division Transfer | First few weeks of 2nd quarter |
Petition to declare a major as soon as you complete major qualification requirements, or reach your declaration deadline quarter, whichever comes first.
Steps to declare your major:
- Review Qualification Requirements
- Many majors have qualification criteria like prerequisite courses, minimum grades, or GPA thresholds.
- Check these early in the UCSC General Catalog
Qualifying for a Major
Did you know that students are required to be declared in a major before enrolling for their third year (or equivalent); or as a junior transfer student, before the deadline in their second quarter at UCSC?
It is important to inform yourself of the declaration process for your major(s) because deadlines and policies can vary for each major. To be on track to declare on time, you need to:
- Determine the qualification criteria for your major(s) (e.g. courses and grades required to be allowed to declare). You need to complete the qualification courses prior to your sixth quarter of enrollment (for transfer students, before your second quarter).
- Review the major program information in the UCSC General Catalog.
- Visit the major advisor to develop a plan to complete the qualification requirements.
- If you have questions about major qualification or about developing a qualification plan, be sure to consult with the advisor for the major you intend to pursue.
Are you ready? The earlier you plan and declare your major, the more time you have to enrich your academic experience with opportunities such as study abroad, undergraduate research, internships, and field study; not to mention graduate on time without any surprises!
If you are able to declare this quarter, do so immediately with your major department or advising office. Be aware that some majors have special deadlines, require workshops, or other advising.
If you are expected to declare this quarter but are unable to declare, you will have a hold placed on your enrollment during advising week. The college will either lift or maintain the hold depending on the outcome of your petition to declare, they may also add additional hold removal conditions. If you find yourself in this situation please make arrangements to talk with your college advisor as soon as possible.
Remember, both your college and intended major advisors are available to help. After conducting your own research to develop a plan, feel free to reach out for help if you have questions.
- Submit Declaration via MyUCSC
- Log into MyUCSC and click the link to submit the Petition for Major/Minor.
- Some majors may have additional steps (advisor meetings, orientations, department approvals).
- Meet with a Major Advisor
- Even if not required, advisor meetings help clarify requirements and create a solid academic plan.
- If you have questions, contact your major advising office about the other steps in the declaration process. Petitioning is only one part of major/minor declaration.
- Receive Confirmation
- After processing, your declaration confirmation will appear in MyUCSC. If there are issues, your advisor will guide you through next steps.
Unsure about your major? Advisors can help explore options, plan alternatives, and keep you on track.
What if I change my mind?
Changing majors is common.
- First, verify the new major’s qualification requirements.
- Meet a major advisor to understand how your completed courses apply.
- Submit your major change request through MyUCSC.
Easily drop a minor via MyUCSC; no additional approvals are required.
Double majors / major + minor
- Plan first: Meet with your college and major advisors; draft an Academic Planning Form that fits both programs within your normal time-to-degree and the campus unit cap.
- Check restrictions: Some departments limit double-major pairings or require extra approvals—confirm before you commit.
- Mind the trade-offs: Two majors (or a major + minor) can crowd out electives, study abroad, research, or internships—balance breadth with experience.
- Petition in MyUCSC: After your first major is declared, use the same e-form to add a second major or minor.
Refer to the full rules, unit limits, and petition steps for more information.
Double Major or Major/Minor Programs
Every UCSC undergraduate is required to complete a major program. Some students choose to pursue a double major, or a major/minor program. Pursuing a double major or major/minor program is a highly individual decision, and should be based on a student’s educational and career goals. For many students, pursuing a single major and including enrichment such as: internships, research opportunities, or more classes than are required in their major discipline is just as challenging and rewarding as a double major. Talk with faculty in your major, your academic advisors, and Career Coaches about the benefits and drawbacks of pursuing more than a single major.
To declare a double major or major/minor program, declare your first major (if it’s not already declared) through the process listed here. Once your first major is approved and declared, add your second major or minor using the process on the same page. Be sure to let your advisors know that you’re planning a double major or major/ minor program! You must file a quarter-by-quarter academic plan showing that you are able to complete the program within the maximum number of quarters of enrollment available to you at UCSC. Students who enter as first-years are expected to complete their degree requirements in four years of enrollment (and are allowed a maximum of five years of enrollment), and students who enter as junior transfer students are expected to complete their degree requirements in two years of enrollment (and are allowed a maximum of three years of enrollment). See the Catalog for more information about limits on the number of enrollment terms and credits allowed.
Common “what-ifs”
| Scenario | Next Steps |
|---|---|
| Not meeting qualification criteria | File the petition by your deadline anyway. Department may approve, deny, or set conditions. Meet a college advisor for backup plans. |
| Deciding between two majors | Keep taking qualifying classes for both until you’re ready to declare. |
| Changing your declared major | Use MyUCSC form to switch or add/drop minors. Check new-major qualification rules first. |
Connect with an advisor
Need help with classes, planning, or next steps? Find your advisor and reach out—we’re here to support you.