How to Declare Your Major

Generally you can expect to declare your major in the second half of your second year. The rules: you can declare a major once you have 39 academic credits (including transfer credits); you must declare a major once you have 54 credits.

Once you've decided what you want to major in, declaring a major is easy:

Decide on the academic program.
Ask a faculty member in the program to be your major advisor.
Complete and submit the Declaration of Major Form [pdf] to the Registrar's Office. The form can be sent via email to [[w|degreeaudit]] from either
- Your major advisor, or
- Your student W&M email account. If you use your student account, make sure to include an email thread from your major advisor confirming their approval of your declaration.

The major you choose will have its own set of requirements, determined by that academic program. Your major advisor can help you navigate that landscape to accomplish your goals and make sure you're meeting the major's requirements.

Other requirements

Some programs have additional requirements or approvals:

Business: You must apply to the Mason School of Business.
Education: You must apply to the School of Education.
Interdisciplinary Programs: Some interdisciplinary programs require additional forms to declare interdisciplinary majors and minors. Check with the Program Director for details.
Self-designed Majors: The Committee on Honors and Interdisciplinary Studies must approve your plan.

Declare a Minor?

At William & Mary, you may declare a major, two majors (double-major) or a major and a minor. If your natural interests are leading you to an academic area that is outside your declared major, you might consider completing that minor's requirements and declaring a secondary program of studies.

Usually a minor consists of 18-22 credit hours. You must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average in the minor courses, and none of those courses can be taken pass/fail. A maximum of two courses may be counted toward both a major and a minor. See the Undergraduate Catalog's Requirements for Degrees for more rules surrounding minors.

You will file the request to minor with the Office of the University Registrar after you complete 39 credit hours but no later than the last day of add/drop in the semester you plan to graduate (if you plan to graduate in the summer, the deadline is the last day of add/drop in the spring).

To declare a minor:

Decide on the academic program.
Usually you won't need a faculty minor advisor, but it's good to discuss your plans with your major advisor.
Complete and submit the Declaration of Minor Form [pdf] to the Registrar's Office. The form can be sent via email to [[w|degreeaudit]] from either
- The Department Chair or Program Director, or
- Your student W&M email account. If you use your student account, make sure to include an email thread from the Department Chair or Program Director confirming their approval of your declaration.
Complete and submit any additional forms that are required by that minor.