Declaring Your Major or Minor

Majors

Students enter American University with an "intended" major (indicated on the computer by the prefix INT-) or as "undecided" (indicated by a "U", for example UCAS, meaning undecided within CAS, or USPA, undecided within the School of Public Affairs). By the end of the sophomore year, every student should be prepared to declare a major formally. Students declare majors in the school offering the program in which they wish to major.

For the College of Arts and Sciences, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is necessary to declare a major. Some programs may require higher GPAs. Check the course catalog for your program's details.

To declare a major in CAS, complete the major declaration form. Bring the form to the academic department in which you wish to major. If you do not know where your academic department is located, email ask-cas@american.edu. An authorized staff person will approve your form and assign you a faculty advisor who will serve as your primary advisor for the major. Once you have obtained authorization, return the signed form to the CAS academic advising office in Battelle-Tompkins 100, or fax the form to our office at (202)885-1085. Declarations made late in the semester will take effect at the start of the next semester.

The process is the same for second majors. Your first major, however, must be declared before a second major can be added. If you have two majors in different schools at AU, your primary advising will come from the school in which your first major is housed. For example, a major in International Affairs and History (BA.INST.HIST) is advised in the School of International Service, while a major in History and Government (BA.HIST.GOVT) is advised in CAS.

Minors

Like second majors, minors can only be added after the first major has been declared. Complete the minor declaration form, obtain approval from the department which offers the minor, and return the form to the CAS academic advising office. The faculty advisor assigned to you will guide you in the selection of courses to complete your minor. NOTE: Changes to your major or second major may cause changes to your minor. In the event you change majors after declaring a minor, be sure to confirm that your minor is still recorded. Call the advising office if you have any questions.