How to choose or change your major at CU Boulder
Not sure what you want to major in? Thinking about changing your major? You’re not alone. Your interests and goals can change as you take classes, meet new people and discover new possibilities.
You also don’t need to have your future career figured out before choosing a major. Your major is one part of your college experience, and it doesn’t necessarily determine what you’ll do after graduation.
If you’re unsure about your major, start by thinking about your interests, strengths and values. Then explore your options, learn more about the majors that interest you and talk with an advisor before making a decision.
Start with what interests you
Choosing a major starts with learning more about yourself. Think about the classes, activities and experiences you’ve enjoyed and what made them interesting to you.
Ask yourself:
- What subjects or topics do I want to learn more about?
- What skills do I enjoy using or want to develop?
- What kinds of problems or questions interest me?
- What activities or experiences have been most meaningful to me?
- What matters most to me in my education and future work?
Look for patterns in your answers. You may discover interests or priorities that can help you narrow down your options.
You can also try the Career Values Card Sort and SparkPath Challenge Cards to explore what matters most to you in your future career.
Explore majors and career possibilities
You can start with a major, a career or an area of interest. If a subject interests you, explore where that major could lead. If you have a career in mind, look at different majors that could help you build relevant skills.
Try these tools to get started:
- Majors Card Sort: Explore CU Boulder majors that may align with your interests and goals.
- What Can I Do with This Major?: See common career areas associated with different majors.
- Programs from a Different Lens: Compare academic programs based on topics, learning outcomes and how courses are taught.
- I want to ...: Explore degree options based on career fields and topics that interest you.
Remember, a major doesn’t have to lead to one specific career. Focus on finding an academic path that helps you explore your interests and build skills you can use in many different ways.
Take a closer look at your options
Once you have a few majors in mind, learn what studying them would actually be like.
- Look at the classes. Browse the university catalog and department websites. Do the required courses and electives sound interesting?
- Check the requirements. Run a degree audit to understand required courses, credits and your progress toward graduation.
- Try it out. If you have room in your schedule, consider taking an introductory class in a major you’re exploring.
- Talk with others. Connect with students, faculty or professionals in areas that interest you. An informational interview can also help you learn how someone’s academic interests connected to their career.
Pay attention to what you learn along the way. Exploring an option and deciding it isn’t for you is still useful—it can help you get closer to what fits.
Talk it through and take your next step
You don’t have to make the decision by yourself. Different campus resources can help depending on what questions you have.
Not sure what interests you or how a major could connect to your future?
Meet with Career Services to explore your interests, values, skills and career possibilities.
Want to compare majors or understand your academic options?
Talk with an academic advisor about programs, courses and requirements and how different options could fit into your academic plans.
Thinking about changing your major?
An academic advisor can help you understand how your credits may apply, whether a change could affect your graduation plans and what steps you need to take. Make an appointment through Buff Portal Advising or get general advising and enrollment help through Ralphie’s Advising Help Lab.
If you’re considering a major in a different college, school or program, there may be additional requirements or an intra-university transfer (IUT) process. An academic advisor can help you understand what applies to your situation.
You don’t have to figure it all out today
Choosing or changing your major doesn’t mean deciding what you’ll do for the rest of your life. Give yourself time to explore, ask questions and learn from your experiences.