Double Majoring: How to Make It Happen
By Ashley Hagan
Fresh out of a medieval literature test, I have twenty pages to write for that night and one hundred pages of physiology notes to study over the next two days—on top of all my regular homework. I tell this to a student in my physiology class, who quickly responds, “I’d feel sorry for you, but you did this to yourself.”
That might be the most accurate description of being a double major that I have heard so far.
I chose to double major because I did not want to box myself into one subject area or another. I love English, and I love biology, and I wanted the breadth of knowledge that comes with studying two extremely disparate topics. There are other benefits, too. Combining a liberal arts major with a STEM field may also give graduates a higher income compared to just a single major.
Choosing to take on two majors certainly has its challenges. Most importantly, there is the sheer number of credits required for both majors, which may lead to taking extra semesters just to get everything done. Additionally, there is the logistical challenge of getting prerequisite classes completed early enough to graduate on time. Some core classes for different majors may compete, their times always overlapping. People taking classes for only one major would be able to mix requirements with electives and simply abandon one elective for another. When taking classes for two majors concurrently, there are no electives—everything must be taken on time in order to stay on track for graduation.
Then there is the lack of time for “fun” or “easy” classes, as well as classes students simply just want to take. Studying outside of one’s major can be a valuable opportunity to explore other interests or gain a broader understanding of the world. Taking two very separate majors—for me, biology and English—does allow for some level of broad exploration. But where are the history classes? Gender studies? What if I wanted to do math or astronomy? What of biology and chemistry double majors who want to do creative writing, computer science, or psychology? What about anyone who tries combining engineering or computer science with another major?
So what majors allow the best opportunities to double major? Those that already allow for many open electives are a good place to start, while those with very few make double majoring impractical, if not impossible. Biomedical engineering, for example, does not have any open electives. Many majors in the School of Business offer very few electives as well, effectively ruling it out as well. According to the bulletin, many of the majors in the College of Humanities and Sciences have upwards of thirty open electives, allowing students to add a major that only requires that number of credits. With my biology major needing only 40 credits, I had room to add a 33-credit English major. Other majors that make good options for double majors include gender studies, philosophy, and sociology—all subjects that can be paired with a STEM major or another liberal arts major. Another option is taking two very similar majors. Math majors who complete two concentrations can apply to be a double major. Biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and forensic science all share similar curricula, making combining them easier than expected.
For students who do take extra time and extra credits in order to graduate, doing a 150-credit dual degree is an option. Instead of getting a single degree with two majors, a student can receive two separate degrees, one for each major, like a BS/BA combination. Other dual degrees, for students who want to do more than a single degree but do not want to double major, include doing a BS/MS or BA/MA combination.
Either way, the decision of whether to do a double major is a mix of personal interest and logistical possibility. Some people may have the schedule space but would prefer to take a wide range of electives than focus on a second area of study. Others may want to add a second major but not have the room. In the end, it’s all a matter of what works for you.