Exploring Your Choices ... Choosing An Arts & Sciences Major

Have you begun the process of narrowing down your choices to a reasonable number of options?

If not, you may want to:

1.  Look at the courses you have taken so far.  What classes have you enjoyed and done well in?  Are your classes clustered in any one subject (e.g., all English) or a broad area of interest (e.g., all in the social sciences)?  Explore those further as possible majors.  Use your general education and elective requirements to try out new disciplines.  But remember, a good explorer dares to venture into unknown lands!

2        Read the UH Mānoa Catalog.   Besides course descriptions, it includes brief descriptions about the different departments and the majors offered in Arts & Sciences.  The online version can be found at www.catalog.hawaii.edu. You can also refer to the list of A&S majors/minors/certificates in our exploring your choices website.   A good way to start is by reading the descriptions of courses offered by a department.    As you read the course descriptions, take notice of those majors where you find a number of classes that sound interesting to you.   After you compile a list of potential majors, refer back to the description of the academic program in the catalog.  Be sure to look at any related major requirements (e.g., math, chemistry, and physics for majors in the biological sciences) as well as the differences between degree types (e.g., BA versus BS) for any of the majors.  As you look through the majors, remember to consider the interests, abilities, values, and motivations you've identified.  Which majors seem most aligned with your preferences?

3.  Take a walk through the Bookstore - look through the textbooks to get a better idea of the material covered in different majors.  Where did you stop and scan through textbooks?

4.  Make an appointment with a Colleges of Arts & Sciences (A&S) academic advisor.  At the very least, you and your advisor can review your academic progress to date, and review the major decision process and the resources available to you.

5.  Make an appointment with a Career Services counselor by calling 956-8136 or stopping in at QLC 212.  They can help you identify your unique skills, interests and values, and explore potential career options.  Deciding on a specific career may influence your choice of majors, electives, and whether or not to pursue a minor/certificate or double major. 

6.  Make an appointment with the career counselor at the Counseling & Student Development Center by calling 956-7927 or stopping in at QLC 312.  They can assist you in developing occupational plans by exploring your strengths, interests, and skills.

Once you have narrowed down your choices, you may want to:

1.  Research your options in depth.  You can do this by reading the UH Mānoa Catalog. Read the course descriptions of required courses in the catalog to verify that you are still interested in this major, and take into consideration whether you have the ability or skills needed to do well in these courses.  Also note that some majors require pre-requisite courses, a specific GPA, or performance and/or admission tests.   In addition, some departments offer more than one type of degree (ex: BA or BS; BA or BFA, etc.), the requirements of which will be different depending on the degree you choose to pursue.   Visit the department office or website to pick up more detailed information or view current course syllabi.  

2.  Make an appointment with major advisor(s) to discuss courses and requirements for each major that you have identified.  Think of this as an informational interview - you can ask specific questions about the major, courses offered by the department, and internship or research opportunities. 

3.  Register for the introductory level course if you have not completed it.  Taking a non-introductory or upper level course in the major may also assist you in deciding if that major is right for you.  However, remember that courses can have prerequisites and some departments give priority registration or restrict enrollment to declared majors.  But remember, good explorers do not venture down every path when trying to find their way through uncharted lands.

4.  Sit in a few lectures for a variety of courses in the majors that interest you.  This allows you to get an idea of the material covered in the major and may assist you in making a good decision.  Be sure to obtain the instructor’s permission before sitting in.    

5.  Find an upperclassmen in the major, and ask them about the courses they have taken and what their impressions of the major are.  Listen with a critical ear - remember to take into account that they may have values, interests, and abilities that are different from yours.   

Now that you have gathered all your information, you can make an informed decision about your major, your career, and your future.  Choosing a major from among the options that you have identified can sometimes be difficult.   On the next page, is a method to assist you making a decision.

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