A first time, first year B.A./B.S. student is eligible to declare a major by submitting the Major/Minor Declaration Form to the chairperson of the chosen department at the end of their first year or upon the completion of 28 credits. Students are expected to have declared their major at the end of their second year. The Major/Minor Declaration Form is available in the Office of the Registrar, online or the chosen department. After the department has accepted the student as a major, the department chairperson assigns a major advisor to the student and signs the Major/Minor Declaration Form. The department chair sends the approved form to the Office of the Registrar. The major is not considered official until the Major/Minor Declaration Form is on file in the Office of the Registrar. Each semester, the Office of the Registrar sets a major declaration deadline for the semester. This deadline ensures that there is adequate time for assignment of a major advisor before the next scheduled advising period.
To change or drop a major, the student completes the Major/Minor Declaration Form.
In most situations, a B.L.S. student should declare a major only after he or she has completed two semesters of enrollment in UMW classes in good standing; however, students who transfer in a high credit total and whose remaining course work will be mainly or exclusively in the major are encouraged to declare a major immediately.