Major – A major is an academic program of study within a degree designation. It is that part of a degree program consisting of a specified number of hours from a defined group of courses in a primary discipline or field. Students are expected to acquire some mastery of a particular discipline or interdisciplinary area as well as to achieve a breadth of intellectual experience. A completed major is shown on a student’s transcript but not the diploma.
A major must comprise a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework specified by the academic department.
Minor – A minor is part of a degree program in an approved secondary discipline or field outside the major. It requires fewer hours than a major and is awarded only if approved by both the major and minor department and/or college. A minor must be completed in conjunction with the degree a student is pursuing, and a student may not pursue a minor after a degree has been conferred. A completed minor is shown on a student’s transcript, but not on the diploma.
A minor must be comprised of 15-21 semester hours of coursework specified by the department.
Track/Concentration – A concentration is an approved set of courses within a major that define a specialty area or specific field of study. Concentrations may also be referred to by departments as “Specializations,” “Tracks,” or “Options.” Unless specified by the unit offering the major, a concentration is not required. A completed concentration is displayed on a student’s transcript, but not the diploma.
A concentration must be comprised of 9-18 semester hours of coursework specified by the department.
Certificate – A certificate is a structured set of courses within a major or professional focus that provides recognition of course completion in an applied area of focus. Post-baccalaureate certificates require a bachelor’s degree. Students do not have to be enrolled in the degree program (non-degree seeking) for many post-baccalaureate certificates, but courses may be used to complete a master’s degree program. Certificates may be at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional level.
A certificate must be comprised of 15-21 semester hours of coursework specified by the department.
