How To Double Major: What Is It And Is It A Good Idea?

Many new college students have a tough enough time deciding on one major. You may be considering a few different degrees, sometimes in related fields and sometimes in completely different ones. The good news is, you don’t have to be stuck with just one major.

Many universities will allow you to do a double major. In other words, you can focus your studies in two different fields. While this might be interesting, you may be left wondering how to double major and what exactly it entails.

In this article, we’ll go over what exactly is a double major, the benefits, and how you can manage your studies with a double major.

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What Is A Double Major?

In university, you use a credit system in order to earn a degree. Upon completing a class successfully, you’ll earn a determined number of credits towards your final degree.

When doing a double major, a student has completed enough credits from two different programs or disciplines. By contrast, most students will opt to focus on one major and then fill in the rest of their credits with a minor or elective classes.

However, it’s important to understand that students who do a double major still only graduate with one degree. There is a difference between a double major and a double degree program, which we’ll touch upon later.

Why Would You Want To Do A Double Major?

Since undergraduate students who take on a double major tend to have somewhat of a higher workload, you may be asking yourself why anyone would want to do a double major.

The truth is, the reasons for doing a double major vary from student to student. Sometimes the reasons are personal, such as an interest in two subjects, while sometimes they’re strategic or for professional purposes.

That being said, there are some key reasons why you might consider doing a double major. Here are a few of them:

1. Expand Your Career Options

Sometimes, the fields in which students choose to do a double major can be intrinsically or even loosely related. For example, a degree in both Business and Foreign Languages can help improve your employment chances internationally. A double major in both Arts and Marketing can help you understand and monetize the business side to a creative field.

Aside from just opening the door to more careers, it can also be helpful to double major if you plan on applying to grad school. If you have a set direction for your education and you already know the requirements for competitive grad schools, a double major can help you become a better candidate for a specialized grad program.

2. Stand Out From The Rest

In 2015, only about 12% of undergraduate college students had a double major — however, depending on the school, some schools report a figure somewhere between 30-40%.

Since double major students are still in the minority, graduating with a double major can help you stand out from others in your field.

Imagine everyone in your major graduates and applies for the same pool of jobs. How would an employer differentiate between the candidates? Sure, extracurriculars are great, but if a candidate completed a double major with a second degree in a relevant or interesting field, it can really help them get a leg up.

3. Get The Most Out Of Your Tuition

One of the most practical reasons for doing a double major is simply getting more out of your college years and tuition fee.

While your university may charge you by credit or credit hours, it’s still worth taking on the relatively small cost to maximize your education. Most of your other costs such as student housing and transportation will remain the same, so doing a double major is a better option in the long run compared to going back to school for a second degree.

Double Major Vs. Dual Degree: What’s The Difference?

While some students see the advantages of a double major, others would rather spend their time and energy towards a dual degree. The main difference is that with a double major, you graduate with one degree, while with a dual or double degree, you would finish school with two completely separate degrees.

Furthermore, some schools offer joint programs where you can complete a first degree and an advanced degree simultaneously, such as a B.A and M.A. While a dual degree seems like a more favorable option, you should know that it usually comes at a higher cost and takes more time to complete. It’s also important to consider that you’ll need to apply to two separate programs, so you need to make sure you have the prerequisites for both.

If you’re really interested in graduating with a dual degree, it’s ideal to find a university that offers established dual degree or joint degree programs.

How To Double Major: Managing The Workload

Doing a double major isn’t the easiest thing, but with the right mindset and enough strategic planning, it’s definitely manageable. Here are a few important tips to consider before you decide to pursue a double major.

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1. Make A Plan

Starting a double major shouldn’t be a decision you take lightly. It requires a certain amount of advanced planning. While you don’t necessarily need to begin your second major in your first semester, it is a good idea to start tackling both course loads earlier on in your degree so that you have enough time to focus on your courses without being rushed.

More importantly, advanced planning is necessary since it will help you consider if you’re really committed to doing a double major, or if you’re simply unsure of what field you’d like to study.

2. Be Strategic In Your Course Choices

If you’ve decided to go ahead with a double major, then choosing the right courses is an important element for success.

See if you can find classes that are related to your two majors so that you can make your credits count for both. You also want to avoid overlap so that you’re not working harder than you need to.

Finally, use your electives wisely. Often, a major will come with a certain number of elective credits you need to complete, so these can often be put towards your second major.

3. Consider Staying An Extra Semester

There’s absolutely no shame in extending your degree by an extra semester or two if you think it’s the best option for your education.

If you’re ok with having a full course load every semester, then you can probably complete your degree in four years. However, if you know that you’ll need more time to study for two majors, or to work part-time, it might be in your best interest to take an extra semester.

4. Keep Your Goals In Mind

Consistently remind yourself why you’ve decided to take on a double major. Doing a double major can be hard, and you might find yourself overworked or stressed sometimes, especially during exam periods.

Take a step back and assess why you’ve decided to do a double major. Are you working towards your dream career? Are you exploring two of your passions?

Simply adding a second major for the sake of adding it to your CV may not be the best reason to overwork yourself. Make sure to check in with yourself frequently, reassess your reasons, and keep looking towards your ultimate goal.

Pros And Cons Of Doing A Double Major

We’ve seen that there are a ton of advantages to taking on a double major, from personal to professional advancements. However, it can sometimes be a hindrance to your education if you’re biting off more than you can chew.

Before you make any final decisions, take some time to write out your own list of pros and cons for doing a double major. Here are a few things you might want to consider.

Pros Of A Double Major:

• Maximize your education
• Explore different passions
• Establish a competitive edge when applying for jobs
• Increase your career options
• Broaden your network
• Improve your job prospects

Cons Of A Double Major:

• Spend more time studying
• Can potentially increase your overall costs
• Have less time for extracurricular activities
• Lose the ability to take more diverse courses since you’ll have fewer electives
• Might increase the time you spend in university

If after you’ve made your list you still find yourself torn between whether to start a double major or not, you might also want to consider taking a minor instead of a second major. That way, you can still explore another subject but you won’t have as much added academic pressure.

Still Not Sure?

At the end of the day, only you can decide if a double major is right for you. Many students start off unsure how to double major, but with enough research, introspection, and even by speaking with academic advisors, you’ll be able to make a more well-informed choice.

At University of the People, we always encourage our students to explore their academic interests. If you’re already committed to one major at your current university, you might consider taking one of our online courses instead of doing a double major at your school. Since we’re a tuition-free institution, you can also save money on extra course fees. Check out our flexible degree programs for more information.