Declaring a Major

Instructions for Declaring a Major/Arranging for a Major Advisor

If you intend to major in Education, Exercise Physiology, or Nursing, you must be admitted into the program. Applications are accepted during sophomore year. Declaring one of these majors and arranging for an advisor will be done for you upon admission to the program. 

Advisor approval for registration will be done by your FTS advisor until you are admitted to your program. See someone in the department of your intended major for course planning before meeting with your current advisor for approval.

To arrange for an advisor for ALL OTHER MAJORS, see the chart below listed by department. Some departments assign an advisor, while others allow you to list an advisor preference.

• Look at the department’s website and/or section of the catalog for a list of faculty. Do not choose a visiting or part-time instructor.
• If you have a preference from having had a certain professor for a class, list that person on the major declaration form.
• If you have a preference because of a professor's scholarly interests, list that person on the major declaration form.
• If you don't have a preference, that's OK! The department will select an advisor for you.

Complete the major declaration form, which is found on the Registrar's Office website. Once you complete the form, it will route to the appropriate department or program and then to the Registrar’s Office.

Timing

First-year students can declare a major (other than the application-based majors listed above) anytime after their first semester. You should be keeping major options open, remembering to declare by the spring of your sophomore year. If you haven’t declared by the fall of your junior year, there will be a hold on your registration until you declare a major.

Transfer students can declare their major as soon as they are ready. Be sure to do this prior to the time you register in November of your junior year.

Two Majors?

Although few students double-major, if you do, you need an advisor for each one. For registration, you need approval from only one, although you should meet and confer with both.

Adding a Minor?

There is a separate form for declaring a minor and having that recorded by the Registrar's Office. A faculty advisor is not required. Required courses will appear in MyGustavus on your Progress report after you declare your minor.

Advising

You need one official advisor for approval to register every semester, and for approval of your application for graduation (spring of junior year), but we hope you will seek advice from your whole department and from other campus resources as well, as you:

• choose courses for registration;
• plan when to study away;
• plan when to arrange for an internship;
• explore other academic opportunities and experiences in addition to coursework;
• reflect on what you are learning in your coursework and about yourself.

Arrange an Advisor Chart