Colleges of Arts and Sciences

Second or Multiple Majors and Minors

Arts and sciences students are encouraged to consider applying for a second major or a minor or a combination of both. Pursuing additional academic fields of study in the form of a second major, or with the addition of a minor, can benefit students in several ways, including the opportunity to discover relationships across disciplines, develop diverse perspectives, strengthen one’s appreciation for the acquisition of knowledge in more than one academic field and enhance one’s ability to problem-solve and communicate in a variety of settings. Applicants for multiple majors/minors need to:

be enrolled as classified arts and sciences students,
be in good academic standing,
be seeking majors under one degree program (i.e., BA/psychology and speech, or BS/physics and mathematics),
be able to complete degree requirements within the maximum total credits as specified by the UH’s excess credit policy (see “Undergraduate Education”),
submit a statement with the application that describes the reason for adding the second major and the educational benefits expected from the addition,
complete an online JUMP degree audit tutorial and meet with an advisor.

The Colleges offer minors in 28 disciplines. Most minors require a minimum of 15 credits of non-introductory and upper division level course work, completed with a grade of C (not C-) or better.

Academic advisors are available to discuss with students the way that a second major or minor can complement the first major to help students formulate an academic plan so that adding a second major or a minor does not delay graduation unnecessarily.

Holders of a first baccalaureate degree who wish to pursue a second major rather than a complete second baccalaureate degree should pursue their academic major as an unclassified post-baccalaureate candidate. Students interested in pursuing the post baccalaureate second major option should meet with the undergraduate advisor in the second major in order to request permission to pursue a post baccalaureate second major and to identify the major requirements they need to fulfill. During a student’s last semester, a “Colleges of Arts and Sciences Graduation Worksheet Major Requirements” (goldenrod) form must be submitted to the Colleges of Arts and Sciences Student Academic Services.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

Priority for admission into any arts and sciences baccalaureate program is given to students seeking their first undergraduate degree. Applications must be received by Admissions and Records by the established deadlines.

Complete applications contain all the materials required by Admissions and Records. In addition, the application must include a typewritten or computer printed, signed statement explaining how the second degree will help the applicant attain his or her personal, academic and professional goals. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Applications for a second baccalaureate degree will be considered only if there is a demonstrable difference in curricula and objectives between the two degrees and majors and if the applicant has a superior grade point average and shows strong promise of success in the proposed second degree. Second degree students must earn a minimum of 30 credits in courses taken at UH Manoa upon admission as a second baccalaureate degree candidate while continuously enrolled in the colleges, and must satisfy all program requirements current at the time of official admission into the program. For more information, see the Arts and Sciences Student Academic Services website, www.advising.hawaii.edu/artsci.

The colleges may approve concurrent multiple baccalaureate degrees for exceptional students. Students should speak with an advisor in the Arts and Sciences Student Academic Services Office for further information.

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Please note: This Catalog was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. The University reserves the right to change or delete, supplement or otherwise amend at any time and without prior notice the information, requirements and policies contained in this Catalog.