Declare Major

How should I go about declaring my major?

• Declaring an academic major should be your number one schedule planning priority.
  
  
• To declare your major, visit the major department as soon as possible. The department may require a copy of your prior college transcipt(s). Junior transfers (those with 60 or more units completed at the time of transfer to Berkeley) are given one semester - their first of the Berkeley campus - to apply for a capped major.
  
  
• To declare a major in the College of Letters and Science, you must complete most of the lower division prerequisite courses specified by your intended major department.
  
  
• You should enroll in two or more courses for your major or intended major. By doing this as a new transfer student, you insure that your first semester will keep you moving toward your goal of a Berkeley diploma.
  
  
• If you are interested in changing your major, visit the new major department and an L&S Adviser immediately to determine the feasibility of achieving what may be a difficult new goal.
  
  
• Always take major prerequisites and upper division courses for a letter grade unless the major department tells you otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - Do most junior transfers with IGETC completed declare their majors during the first semester?

A - Yes. Because IGETC completes the L&S Breadth Requirements, these students are able to concentrate almost exclusively on two things during their Cal careers: courses for the major and elective courses of special interest.

Q - What will happen if I do not declare my major during my first semester?

A - Your future registration may be delayed or blocked, and your eventual graduation may be delayed.

Q - Do I have more time if I want to declare a double major or simultaneous degrees?

A - Maybe. You would be best served if you could declare both majors at the beginning of your first semester; however, you may need to delay declaring your second major depending on your preparation. If you are intending a double major, begin talking with your major advisers and a college adviser as soon as possible.

IGETC Transfer Introduction

Capped Major