Choosing a Major
It’s okay if you haven’t decided which major to pursue and need to take some time to consider your options. You may have unanswered questions, want to take some related classes before declaring, and/or you may wish to talk to advisors about your choices before deciding.
This website is designed to help you with the steps of choosing a major, regardless of where you’re at in that process. We encourage you to make an appointment with an advisor in the Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center or with a Career Counselor in the Career Services Center to discuss possible majors and to create a plan for major declaration.
When should I declare?
Each major has unique requirements for declaration, and some have a particular time to apply or declare. Exploring majors early will help you declare when you are eligible. Majors in science, math, engineering, languages, business, fine and performing arts, and pre-healthcare tracks include coursework that is sequential and is important to start taking classes early in your academic career.
We encourage students to meet with an advisor to discuss choosing a major by the time they have completed 60 credits. Students should aim to declare or apply for their major by 90 completed credits. Transfer students and Running Start students with high credits (45+) should apply to their major by the end of their second quarter at WWU. Students who do not declare a major, pre-major, or Phase I major by the time they reach 105+ credits are required to meet with an advisor or submit an online plan for declaration each quarter prior to registering until they have declared their major. More information on this requirement can be found on the Advising Holds webpage.