College Policies  

Declaring a Major

• You may declare once you have completed the prerequisites and obtained approval from a major adviser.
  
  
• You must declare a major before the beginning of your junior year, or the College may block your registration.
  
  
• Students must apply for capped majors before thy have accumulated more than 80 total units, including work in progress but excluding Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate units, college units earned before graduating from high school, or community college units earned after completing 70 units toward the degree.
  
  
• Transfer students: You must declare a major before the start of your second semester, or the College may block your registration. Ask the major department that you are interested in to evaluate courses that you have taken at other institutions which might apply toward major requirements. Make sure that during your first semester you take any prerequisites that you lack for your intended major. Always bring copies of your transcripts with you when you visit a major department.

Filing a Petition to Declare a Major

You must file a Petition to Declare a Major, even though you have already indicated your desired major on the application for admission to the University. Indicating a major on your application does not guarantee admission to the major.

To enter a major, you must file a Petition to Declare a Major, which is available at the departmental offices. Before filing, inquire how to proceed at the department office of your chosen major - some large departments accept petitions only at certain times during the academic year.

Before admitting you to the major, the department will assess whether you have fulfilled the prerequisites and met the grade-point requirements for the major.

Transfer students: You are expected to declare a major in the area in which you have been admitted: biological sciences, humanities, physical sciences, or social sciences.

Changing a Major

It is possible to change majors; however, progressing through the requirements of a new major program may involve considerable additional time and effort. While we advise you to choose a major as early as possible, we also urge against undue haste in making this important decision. Take the time you need to explore the field so that you do not commit yourself before you have fully considered its relevance to your interests and abilities. A considered decision will save you time and trouble later on.

• You can change from one major to another by filing a new Petition to Declare a Major. This petition, like the original one, requires the approval of the major adviser and the dean of the College.
  
  
• You cannot change your major if it will extend your enrollment beyond 130 units.
  
  
• You may not change your major during the last semester before graduation.

Double Majors and Simultaneous Degrees

If you have a keen interest in the material to be studied in two different departments, it is possible - although very challenging - to major in both, fulfilling all the requirements for both majors. The best reason to pursue a double major is to fulfill a strong personal intellectual need. Your transcript and diploma will show that you have majored in two departments. Please note that having a double major will not necessarily improve your chances for admission to graduate programs or to the career of your choice. It may delay your graduation and significantly reduce your opportunity to explore new and different intellectual realms through elective courses. Here are the guidelines for a double major:

• You must have satisfied departmental criteria for declaring a major and be in good academic standing (2.0 grade-point average or higher).
  
  
• You may use no more than two upper division courses to satisfy requirements of both majors.
  
  
• A double major will not be approved if you will have completed more than 136 units before your last semester.

Declaring a Double Major or a Simultaneous Degree

• To declare a double major, you must submit a Double Major application, signed by each major adviser, to the Office of Undergraduate Advising, 113 Campbell Hall, where it will be reviewed by a College adviser for final approval.
  
  
• To enroll in two bachelor's degree programs (simultaneous degrees) offered by L&S and another college or school at Berkeley, you must complete the Simultaneous Degree application.