Declaring an Undergraduate Major
How to declare a major, plus common myths about choosing a major
| Major | How to Declare |
|---|---|
| Anthropology (BA) | There are no pre-requisites for becoming an anthropology major. Students can enroll at any time by meeting with an advisor. |
| Communication (BA) | Students interested in joining the Communication major are required to attend an information session – please visit the website for the latest schedule. Meeting with an SBS Pathways peer advisor is also recommended. |
| Economics (BA) | New students can enter the Economics major by declaring Economics as their primary major when entering UMass. Current students can enter the major by meeting with a peer advisor who will help you submit a Statement of Interest. All students should note that the major is part of a rigorous, math-intensive program – they should expect to complete two levels of calculus, two intermediate theory courses, and at least one statistics course by the end of their sophomore year. |
| Journalism (BA) | New students can enter the Journalism major by declaring Journalism as their primary major when entering UMass. Current students should meet with a journalism advisor to seek admission to the program. |
| Landscape Architecture (BS) | There are no prerequisites to declare the Landscape Architecture major; however, students are encouraged to declare by the first-semester of their second year, as the program takes three full academic years to complete. Students who want to declare this major should schedule an appointment with Patricia McGirr (mcgirr [at] larp [dot] umass [dot] edu). |
| Legal Studies (BA) | Students interested in becoming a Legal Studies major should schedule an informational meeting with a Legal Studies advisor. |
| Managerial Economics (BS) | Students interested in the Managerial Economics major should be prepared to engage in a rigorous, math-intensive program. Before declaring, students should review the undergraduate handbook and watch the informational session to ensure the major is a good fit. Next, a Statement of Interest should be completed, followed by an email to Ruth Glickman DeLisle (rglickmandel [at] umass [dot] edu) notifying her of your wish to declare. |
| Political Science (BA) | Students interested in becoming a Political Science major should schedule an informational meeting with a Political Science advisor. |
| Public Policy and Administration (BA) | This new major is currently open to students graduating in 2025 and beyond. For new and incoming students, admission to the program is granted through the University Undergraduate Admissions Office. For current students interested in the program, schedule a meeting with an advisor. |
| Resource Economics (BS) | Students interested in the Managerial Economics major should be prepared to engage in a rigorous, math-intensive program. Before declaring, students should review the undergraduate handbook and watch the informational session to ensure the major is a good fit. Next, a Statement of Interest should be completed, followed by an email to Ruth Glickman DeLisle (rglickmandel [at] umass [dot] edu) notifying her of your wish to declare. |
| Sociology (BA) | Students can enroll in the major at any time by meeting with a Sociology advisor. |
| Social Thought and Political Economy (BA) | Incoming first-year and transfer students can declare STPEC as their major as part of the university application process. Current UMass students interested in declaring the major should complete an intake form and schedule an appointment with a STPEC advisor. |
| Sustainable Community Development (BS) | There are no prerequisites to declare this major. To declare, students should complete a declaration form and be prepared to identify an area of concentration within the program. While not required, meeting with the program director is highly encouraged to make a plan for major classes. |
Common Myths About Choosing a Major
My major will determine what I do for the rest of my life
Just like students change their majors, college graduates change their careers. The world of employment is constantly changing – jobs that exist now will likely look very different in five to ten years, and roles will continue to evolve in terms of training and educational requirements.
SBS students develop competencies that transfer among a broad range of career fields and roles. Skills like teamwork, written communication, interpersonal communication, leadership, civic engagement, critical thinking, research, and ethical reasoning are always valuable. To learn more about SBS majors and careers, explore the SBS Pathways career communities.
Choosing a major is easy
Some students know exactly what they want to do when they enter UMass. Some students have no idea what they want to do. Some students change their minds (more than once)! All of these approaches are absolutely ok – it's fair to say that choosing a major is not universally easy for everyone.
The process of choosing and declaring a major takes some work. For those who don't know where to begin, the SBS Exploratory Track allows you to take classes in a variety of departments to help you identify what subjects you enjoy and match your natural talents. Scheduling an appointment with an advisor in SBS Pathways gives you a chance to discuss your options and create a plan for your time at UMass.
Picking a major and a career aren't the same thing
While picking a major and a career are related, choosing one major does not mean you have automatically selected a career for life. It is a common misconception that students majoring in the social sciences are only qualified for careers in a very specific field. SBS alumni have started careers in fields such as business, research, human resources, teaching, government (local, state and federal), non-profit organizations, and more. See our alumni profiles to learn more about what SBS graduates are doing with their degrees.
Choosing one major means giving up all the others
Students in SBS explore their academic interests in many ways – dual degrees, double-majors, minors, and certificates. You can also explore multiple interests through study abroad programs, internships, clubs and organizations, and volunteering.