FAQ - Majors

1.  What majors are offered at IWU?
See the list of Academic Majors and Programs.

2.  What if the major I want is not offered at IWU?
It is possible for a student to propose a Special Interdisciplinary Major for a Bachelor of Arts degree. The student must demonstrate that the proposed major achieves intellectual or career goals not met through the University’s existing curriculum. Further instruction and detailed requirements can be found in the IWU Catalog.

3.  How do I declare my major?
Students do not officially declare a major during their first year at IWU.  After the first year, a student may officially declare a major field by completing the necessary forms in the Registrar’s Office.

4.  Where do I go for help with exploring and choosing majors?
On the Illinois Wesleyan University campus, you will find many services and resources available to help you throughout your major exploration process. There are academic advisors, career counselors, professors, job/internship fairs, libraries, and major/career related workshops. Remember, it is fine to be an undecided student, but begin an active search for your major as soon as possible.

5.  What courses should I take while I am undecided about my major?
Undecided students should take courses from two categories: introductory courses in majors of potential interest and general education courses that are broadly applicable to the requirements of many majors.  Your faculty advisor or advisor in the Academic Advising Center will help you select the right courses, assist you in understanding your general education requirements, and help you explore all areas of interest.

6.  When do I need to make a decision about my major?
Students should select a major field of concentration before the end of their fourth semester, but this decision may be made earlier.

7.  What are the advantages of starting in college as undecided? 
If you complete a thorough exploration and decision-making process during your first year in college, starting out as an undecided student may increase the probability that you will make a good choice of major. Also, many undecided students graduate with more breadth in their degrees because they complete double majors or add minors to their majors as a result of their exploration. Finally, undecided students learn how to research options, evaluate alternatives, and make decisions, and this can be a valuable lesson learned in college.

8.  Does my major determine my career?
The single most influential determinant of your career is your life passion. The benefit of a degree is that it tells a prospective employer that you were disciplined enough to stay with your education until you reached this level of academic achievement. Does it help to have a degree in a subject area related to your work? Yes. Is it essential? No!

9.  What does it mean to double major?
Students with recognized needs and well defined goals may pursue majors in two separate fields. The majors’ curriculums for either the double major may include a few courses which are common to both majors as long as the combination of course units in the two major areas equals the sum of the number of course units required by each individual major.

10.  What does it mean to have a minor? Do I need a minor?
A minor enhances your educational experience but is not a requirement.  If you choose to pursue a minor, talk with your academic advisor and be sure to take a look at the guidelines in the IWU Catalog.

11.  What minors are offered at IWU?
American Studies, Anthropology, Arts Management, Studio Art, Art History, Biology, Business Administration, Risk Management, Human Services Management, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Economics, Interdisciplinary Educational Studies, English, Environmental Studies, French and Francophone Studies, German, Greek and Roman Studies, Health, Hispanic Studies, History, International Studies, Japanese Studies, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physical Education, Coaching, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Russian Language and Literature, Sociology, Theatre Arts, Theatre Dance, Women’s Studies

12.  What is the difference between a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts?
At IWU there is no difference between degree requirements for a B.S. or B.A. degree.  Both degree programs provide for the acquisition of written and oral communication skills, creative thinking, abilities in the critical analysis of texts, the understanding of cultures, and a working knowledge of social, political, and historical contexts. The B.A. degree is typically pursued by those students whose academic emphasis in their major area of study is directed toward the humanities, arts, and selected areas of the social sciences disciplines while the B.S. degree is typically pursued by those students whose academic emphasis in their major area of study is directed towards the natural sciences, mathematics, statistics or a technological field.  Talk with your advisor about which degree to choose.