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How Should I Choose a College Minor?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Unlike declaring a college major, choosing a college minor is optional, and many students do not avail themselves of this possibility. Nevertheless, completing a minor degree program in college may serve several purposes.

First, the minor can broaden the ground covered by the major. In these days, when college majors can be very specific, the minor can develop another closely related area. For example, a student with a major in biology with a specialization in cellular and molecular biology might pursue a minor in computational neuroscience. A student with a major in Classical literature might choose to minor in philosophy.

College students in class.
College students in class.

Besides extending the choice of college major, a well-chosen minor can also complement it. One might add a minor in mathematics to any science major, a minor in philosophy to virtually any humanities major, or a minor in sociology to any social science major.

Nearly any field can be complemented by a college minor in writing or journalism, which can, on the one hand, help the content area specialist with the public presentation of his or her work or, on the other hand, give the writer or journalist specialized knowledge to inform his or her publications. If public presentation online is desired, a minor in computer science may prove useful.

Minors in writing or journalism are useful to most majors.
Minors in writing or journalism are useful to most majors.

A college minor in a foreign language may broaden a student’s employment possibilities or increase their ability to study internationally or work with colleagues from overseas. Research possibilities expand when publications from other countries can be read in the original language. Likewise, students who wish to produce a product or service for market or expect to be involved in the management of a company may profitably add a minor in business.

Students often select minors that complement their majors.
Students often select minors that complement their majors.

For a student with diverse talents or who are not completely fulfilled by their major, a college minor can be an opportunity to engage in a totally different type of thought and exploration. Science majors can develop their understanding of literature using the college minor, and humanities majors might explore zoology or psychology. The minor can also be used to carry on what may have started as an extracurricular activity, such as playing an instrument, acting, or singing.

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseGEEK about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseGEEK about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Babalaas

Once you find a minor that you might be interested in, you should speak with an adviser in that department. The advisor will let you know exactly what is required to satisfy your chosen minor.

An advisor will also give you information on what courses are required for the minor, and how the minor might relate to your major. This is important because you may be able to plan a few courses that meet both your minor and major requirements. You will also discover the prerequisites for some of the courses in your minor. Some minors even have GPA requirements that an advisor will be able to let you know about.

Georgesplane

With today’s changing economy, many colleges are offering new interdisciplinary bachelors programs. These types of degree programs can be complimented by a well chosen minor. A minor in an interdisciplinary program can help to focus your studies, and give you an area of specialization.

For example, I am pursuing a degree in Sustainability. This program combines aspects of environmental sciences, engineering, and economics. My sustainability degree required me to choose a focus track. The focus track I chose was energy, materials, and technology.

I already have an associate degree in business, but I am still choosing a minor. I decided to minor in Materials science and engineering. I felt that this would focus my degree. I will still have a broad knowledge base, but my specialty will be the applications of materials in sustainable energy and technology projects.

The business associate prepares me with the basic knowledge in entrepreneurship and marketing new products. My degree is not necessarily classified under one industry, but I will have the ability to focus my research within a couple of industries.

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    • College students in class.
      By: Alexander Raths
      College students in class.
    • Minors in writing or journalism are useful to most majors.
      By: natalya kazakova
      Minors in writing or journalism are useful to most majors.
    • Students often select minors that complement their majors.
      By: opolja
      Students often select minors that complement their majors.