Major and Minor Requirements
A major is a concentration of courses in a student's declared area of primary academic study that, when accompanied by appropriate supporting courses, leads to a degree. Majors are recorded on the student's permanent record. The requirements for a major are specified in the catalog of the academic year in which the student declares a major.
Certain courses are required for the major, but electives may be chosen from a range of alternatives prescribed by the program. Students who are unsure of their major may enter the University as 'Exploring' and are advised by Soar. The School of Nursing advises Exploring the Liberal Arts Nursing Students.
Students are required to declare a major by the time they have completed thirty (30) credit hours toward graduation, including transfer credit (See 30-Credit Policy for Exploring the Liberal Arts Students). Undergraduate students may transfer from one major to another by requesting a Major/Minor Change Form as long as they meet the requirements of the new program. When a student with a Seeking or Exploring program declares a degree bearing program, the Seeking and/or Exploring program will be removed from their curriculum at the time of the Major/Minor Change process. A change of concentration area constitutes a change of major. Students changing majors must meet with an academic advisor in the newly declared major to obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
A concentration area includes specified courses that provide a particular focus within a major. Concentration areas for majors are recorded on the student's academic record.
An academic minor involves less extensive concentration in a discipline but still imposes specific requirements. An undergraduate minor is a specific set of courses in a subject area or academic discipline. A minor does not alone lead to an academic degree, but may be required by some majors. A minor differs from a concentration area in that a minor is not a focus within the student's major.
The requirements for a minor are specified in the Catalog of the academic year in which the student declares a first major.
To complete a major from UNC, a student is required to earn a minimum of nine upper-division UNC credits (300-400) or UNC approved Study Abroad credits (300-400) in that major. To complete a minor, a student is required to earn a minimum of six upper-division UNC credits (300-400) or UNC approved Study Abroad credits in that minor.
A maximum of 12 credit hours of coursework can be shared between a major and a minor. Exceptions to this policy may be found in the requirements for individual programs as described in the UNC catalog.
The student must meet all requirements and pass all courses required by the school/college or program from which they select a major or a minor. These requirements vary and are specifically stated in the section of this catalog that summarizes each academic program's offerings including its majors and minors.
Each undergraduate student is strongly encouraged to work closely with their assigned faculty advisor in selecting Liberal Arts Curriculum courses, major and minor offerings and elective courses from other disciplines. If a student has more than one major or minor they are encouraged to see advisors in each area of study prior to course registration.