Office of the President

Definitions of a Major and a Minor; Supercedes EM 75-006; Revised Nov. 18, 2005

Executive Memorandum 86-001 January 10, 1986

From: Robin S. Wilson, President

Subject: Definitions of a Major and a Minor

DEFINITION OF A MAJOR AND A MINOR

Upon recommendation of the Faculty Senate, the revised wording for EM 75-006 defining majors and minors is approved. This replaces EM 75-006.

Definition of a Major

A major is an approved group of related courses and experiences, successful completion of which is recognized by the award of the appropriate degree. The approval of these related courses and experiences and the approval of the definition of successful completion will be obtained through current University and system procedures. A major shall include courses required by the department(s), or academic unit(s) having administrative control of the program and, in addition, shall include all college-level prerequisites to the courses so required.

A major leading to a liberal arts degree (B.A.) shall include not fewer than 24 nor more than 60 semester units. Requests for exceptions to the upper limit on units in the major must be made through the Faculty Senate. Each major shall include a minimum of 12 upper-division units.

A major leading to a bachelor of science degree (B.S.) shall include not fewer than 48 nor more than 112 units. No exceptions to the upper limit may be granted. Each major shall include a minimum of 12 18 (revised 2-6-86) upper-division units.

Definition of a Minor

A minor is an approved group of related courses, successful completion of which is recognized by certification on the transcript by the Registrar. Minors may consist only of those courses stipulated by the department(s), school(s), or academic unit(s) having administrative control of the program and, in addition, shall include all college-level prerequisites to the courses so stipulated. A minor shall include not fewer than 18 nor more than 30 semester units. each shall include a minimum of 6 upper-division units.

A student may not graduate with both a major and a minor of the same name but may receive a major and a minor from the same department. In such situations, "double counting" units is allowed, but at least 15 units applied to the minor must be in excess of those used to satisfy major requirements. A student may "double count" units in a minor administered by a department different than that of the major. In such situations, double counting courses between major and minor is generally allowed without reservation or special approval as to number of units, courses, or sponsoring department(s). Different programs or departments may have specific requirements that affect the extent of the double counting. All minors require department approval. Approval of all double counting is transmitted via the courses being listed on the graduation clearance form(s) or by a written memorandum to the Academic Evaluations office from the signatory advisor. (revised 11-18-05)

Whenever alternate prerequisites are specified for courses in a major or minor, the major or minor shall be considered to include the larger number of college-level units.

Multiple Majors and Multiple Degrees

A student will normally meet graduation requirements for a degree in one of the majors listed in the catalog but may also meet the requirements of the Special Major. It is permissible for a student to have two majors indicated on his degree if the complete requirements of both curricula have been met prior to graduation and if Chico State University is authorized to award the same type of baccalaureate (arts or science) in each of the majors.

A student filing for graduation in two majors administered by the same department, or for graduation in two options within the same major, may "double count" courses only if approved by the adviser and chair of the department. Approval is transmitted by the courses being initialed on the graduation clearance form or by a written memorandum from the adviser and the department chair to the Evaluations Office.

If the requirements for a second major are fulfilled after the baccalaureate is awarded, this fact can be noted on the student's transcript but the degree will not be changed. If the two majors come from fields in which Chico State University offers a B.A. in one and a B.S. in the other, a double major is not allowed but it can be noted on the transcript that the requirements for the second major have been fulfilled.

Second Baccalaureates

It is not possible to have both a B.A. and a B.S. degree awarded at the same time. If a student desires a second baccalaureate at a later time, the requirements for the second degree will be determined by the department of the second major and will include at least 24 30 (revised 2-6-86) units beyond the first degree.

This document updates, consolidates and supersedes the following:

Executive Memorandum 75-006, May 20, 1975, Definitions of a Major and a Minor

AA 84-4, February 29, 1984, double Counting Courses for Options Administered By the same Department.