Undeclared Major

Career potential

If you have not selected a major by your first semester at the University of North Texas, do not worry. Many first-year students are uncertain about a major. Many students who declare their major upon admission to college change it several times before they graduate. You may be like other high-achieving students who come to college without declaring a major because they have many interests and are not ready to select just one. It makes you no less serious about your education.

At UNT, the requirements for your bachelor's degree include the university core curriculum. The core curriculum is designed to give all graduating students basic intellectual competencies in reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking and computer literacy. Core courses are the same for all majors. If you complete your core courses early, you still make progress toward your degree while exploring subjects that can help you choose a major or career. You might take some introductory courses in subjects that interest you during your first few semesters. These courses can familiarize you with potential majors and provide credit toward your degree.

Career resources

UNT has several ways to assist you with choosing a major.

• You can visit the Career Center in Chestnut Hall, a new 74,000-square-foot building that borders Chestnut Street, West Sycamore Street and Avenue D. The center has several interactive computer programs that focus on your interests and values to identify possible careers. These programs provide job descriptions and educational references. You also can research different careers and employers through the center's library.
• Counseling and Testing Services in Chestnut Hall also can help you select a major and identify a career. You can talk to a vocational counselor and take written inventories to determine your abilities, interests and personality attributes, so you can select a career that fits you.
• You may take Career Development, UCRS 2100, a one-semester, 1-hour course designed to help you learn about majors and careers that correlate with your abilities, interests and values. Full-time academic counselors from the College of Arts and Sciences teach this popular course.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/ advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

You can get help planning your class schedule from the academic counselors/advisors in the College of Arts and Sciences. Several full-time counselors/advisors work regularly with undecided majors in selecting courses to explore different subjects. Once you have chosen your major, a departmental faculty member or academic counselor will advise you.

The College of Arts and Sciences student advising office is in the General Academic Building, Room 220.