FAQ - Can I double major?

Legal Studies is, by its nature, interdisciplinary.  We encourage our students to do minors, concentrations, and double majors.  At least 25% of our majors choose to double major.

This can require a little planning, to make sure all the requirements will fit into the time you have at UMass. If you intend to double major, you must fulfill all of the major requirements AND the College requirements for both majors. Contact the departmental advisors of the majors in question, and College advisors for more information.

 

What about the junior year writing requirement?

If you are double majoring, we WILL accept Junior Writing from your other department.  Contact Tami Paluca (413.545.9698) to let her know which particular course you will be using for your other major (she must update your degree audit).

Note that other majors may not accept Legal 450 in place of their own Junior Writing requirement. Check with your other major before taking Legal 450 to fulfill your other Junior Writing Requirement, or risk having to to the other course as well.

Also note that if you do not graduate with a 2nd major (i.e., you drop it your senior year), you will have to take Legal 450 to graduate.

 

Can I double count my "law-related" courses?

We're happy to let you double-count the two courses you use for our "law-related" requirement. However, your other major may have a different policy. If you are using these courses for another major or a minor, please contact the program in question to see if they will allow you to do this. Some majors are more flexible than others, and if a program will not let you double-count, additional coursework will be necessary.

 

How do I declare a double major?

You must fill out a new Change of Major form. When you go through the Change of Major process, there is a place on the form to declare a double major.  You will have to choose one major as "Primary" and the other as "Secondary."  This may impact which set of College Requirements you must fulfill. For example, if one of your majors is outside of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, and you use that major as your primary major, you may not have to fulfill the Global Education Requirement.