Choosing your major and minor is one of the most significant decisions you will make as you embark on your college education. Therefore, it is essential to understand the differences between major and minor.
In short, a major denotes your primary academic focus, while a minor serves as a secondary specialization that enhances or diversifies your education. You can choose a minor that complements your major, or you can choose it from another field to enhance your knowledge. Here is everything to know about major and minor.
What Is a Major?
A major is a concentrated area of study within a degree program. It comprises a specific set of required courses and elective options, designed to provide in-depth knowledge and skills in a particular academic field.
Universities typically require students to complete approximately one-third of their coursework within their chosen major. To measure academic progress, universities use credit hours.
Each course is assigned a specific number of credit hours, and students must accumulate a certain number of credits to graduate. A typical full-time student load is 12-15 credit hours per semester. Most bachelor's degrees require around 120 credit hours to graduate, which can vary depending on the institution and specific major.
Completing a major equips students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level positions in their chosen field. However, a major is not solely a vocational training program for a specific job title. Instead, it provides a broad understanding of a particular academic discipline.
Students can then leverage this knowledge base to pursue internships or advanced degrees to further specialize their expertise.
What Is a Minor?
Minor is a secondary area of study that complements a major or focuses on another field. A college minor is a secondary focus of studies. It can be related to a major or something from another field of study.
For instance, if you choose your major in Psychology you can select a minor in Gender Studies or Criminal Justice. However, you can choose Business Management or another minor to explore other interests and expand your skills.
To earn a minor, you must complete a specific set of required courses in that subject area. A minor can enhance your college experience and boost your career prospects. By showcasing additional skills and knowledge, a minor can make your resume more competitive and demonstrate your passion and professionalism to potential employers.
Typically, a minor requires 12-18 credit hours, which translates to roughly 4-6 courses, depending on the credit hour weight of each course. It is less intensive than major.
How to Choose a Minor to Support Your Major
After knowing the differences between major and minor, you can choose which major and minor you want to take in college. A minor takes less time than a major and requires fewer classes, allowing you to explore other areas of study.
Therefore, selecting a minor could be a chance for you to explore and expand your knowledge in the specific field. Think about the subjects you enjoyed most in high school or the ones you excelled at, it can give you a clue about your interests.
Moreover, when selecting a minor, you can pick something that complements your major or from another field. However, your major will always be your primary focus. The most important thing is to choose a path that aligns with the career you want.
Understand the Differences Between Major and Minor, Prepare Your Dream!
Aligning your dream with major and minor will affect your path in the future as these academic choices serve as the foundation for your personal and professional growth. Your chosen university also becomes the part to define your dream because it provides the supported environment, resources, and opportunities.
Sampoerna University is the perfect university for you who are seeking the best opportunity to get world-class education in Indonesia. This university offers a two-degree program which means that you will earn two bachelor's degrees from this university and the University of Arizona in just four years.
After knowing the differences between major and minor, now plan your future dream and enroll at Sampoerna University to accelerate your success.
