Should You Double Major or Minor? Everything You Need to Know

If you have a strong interest in two academic fields, you’ll probably be confronted with a big choice in college. As you pursue these interests, you’ll want your degree to reflect both fields of study. Fortunately, there are a couple of options to earn a degree in more than one subject. 

You can choose to major in one of the fields and minor in another. Another option is to double major. If you’re wondering, “Should I double major or minor?” you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find out what is involved in each choice!

Also see: How to choose a major

What is a minor?

A college minor is your secondary academic discipline. Typically, you won’t put the same amount of effort into it as you put into your major. You’ll even have fewer classes to complete your minor requirements. 

It’ll be on your transcript and diploma, but it doesn’t carry the same weight as a major. At many schools, you can even choose to have 2 minors if you want.

Related: What is a minor in college?

What is a double major?

A double major is having two academic disciplines that are equally important. You’ll have double the course requirements, but if they are in a similar field then there might be some overlap. You’ll probably also have to complete two senior capstone exercises. 

This means that double majoring is more work, but you’ll also graduate with a very versatile diploma. You will probably have equal power to pursue a career or second degree in either subject.

Advantages of a minor

Flexible classes

Adding a minor has many advantages. It is a flexible option that many students can achieve, even if they acquire their passion for the second discipline late into college. 

A minor offers the chance to explore different classes while still fulfilling requirements. You can pursue many different interests with a minor. Be sure to pay close attention to the number of credits needed for a minor; you may find if you completed college-level classes during high school that you could be closer to earning a minor than you think!

Beneficial for postgraduate opportunities

Additionally, people who minor in a subject can use their minor strategically when applying for jobs or grad school. You can use it to get a leg up on other candidates since you’ll already have some background in different fields. Minoring shows that you have a well-rounded set of interests and can pursue multiple goals at once.

Advantages of double majoring

A double major will have a degree that is equally valid in two concentrations. If you major in English and neuroscience, you could go on to be a newspaper reporter, or a lab scientist. You could even go on to write about neuroscience! 

Your possibilities truly open up when you have a double major.

Expanded opportunities

As a college student, it’s hard to know what you want to do for the rest of your life. Double majors have an advantage in this regard. Your degree will be applicable to two different fields of study, so you’ll have a wider pool of jobs to pool from. 

Additionally, because double majoring is challenging, employers and grad school admission officers will be impressed. Even if your second major isn’t relevant to the position, they will take your double major as a testament to your work ethic.

Increased networking

If that’s not enough, you’ll be able to form close relationships with professors in two different departments at your school. One of the most valuable assets of a college education is the connections you make. If you work closely with your professors, you’ll have double the connections to help you find opportunities after graduation.

Read more: Should I switch majors? How to decide

Disadvantages of a minor

Time constraints

Although a minor can be a rewarding pursuit, there are reasons to be wary of it as well. It’s worth remembering that a minor will make your schedule more rigid. Additionally, they may cut into time that you would have spent doing extracurriculars and making friends.

Lack of significance  

But the biggest disadvantage to minors is that some employers or grad schools may not ascribe much significance to them. A minor is not taken nearly as seriously as a major. 

If you decide to minor in a field that is very different from your major, you may not be able to pursue a career in the field. Minors can be used strategically to open doors for you, but they are not the same as a double major.

You may want to prioritize employability and major in a more marketable degree or pick the one that interests you the most. There is no right or wrong way to go about it. Just make sure to think it over thoroughly.

Disadvantages of double majoring

Despite its benefits, double majoring has drawbacks as well. There’s a reason why only about 25% of students double major. It is very challenging on several fronts. 

Overwhelming time commitment

You’ll probably have to complete two senior capstones to fulfill both majors. Second, you won’t have many flexible class spots, so you may not be able to pursue as many other interests. 

You may be prevented from studying abroad because of the credits you need. The double major could cut into your time for extracurriculars and socializing. It could make college more stressful than it needs to be.

Delayed graduation

You may run the risk of graduating late. If you don’t come up with your double major plan within the first 3 semesters of school, it can be hard to meet the requirements in 4 years. There are some challenges and tradeoffs to consider before committing to a double major, especially since it’s committing to double the work.

Also read: Top 15 college majors for the future

Questions to ask yourself to help decide

• How do my fields of study interact and complement one another?
• What is the overlap between my intended fields of study?
• Will I be missing out on opportunities to pursue my second interest if I minor?
• Do I have time to give my full attention to both majors if I double major?
• Am I set to graduate on time if I add a second major?
• Can I maintain a balance between my double major and my extracurriculars and social life?

Also see: Guide to double majoring and triple majoring

Frequently asked questions about double majoring and minoring