Navigating the Double Minor in College: Requirements, Benefits, and Considerations

Pursuing multiple academic disciplines in college can be an enriching experience, but it requires careful planning and consideration. This article explores the requirements, benefits, and potential drawbacks of pursuing a double minor, providing students with the information needed to make informed decisions about their academic paths.

Understanding the Double Minor

For students wanting to expand their knowledge in college, most schools offer a minor, which can complement a student's major or be in a completely unrelated field. Students who are passionate about several subject areas can double minor - which comes with its own set of challenges, including a significant time commitment. A minor is like a mini-major. Students can complete a smaller number of courses to add a specialty to their degree or gain introductory knowledge in a separate area of study.

Some students might choose to add a minor (or two) in a complementary subject related to their major, or they might add a minor in a completely different field to expand their potential career paths. While minors do not show up on a student’s diploma, they do appear on their college transcript and can always be added to a resume to showcase additional skills.

Double Minor vs. Double Major

A double minor is a much smaller commitment than a double major, experts say. While credit hours vary per program, minor requirements are typically only about half or less than half of what's necessary to complete a major. There's also an "applied learning experience" requirement for both.

"Students would have more course responsibilities and more specific courses they would need to take in order to successfully double major than they would if they were to double minor," says Jeffrey Shoulson, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Brandeis. "Because of that, it's not as much of an in-depth exploration of the field if you do it as a minor, as opposed to a major."

Benefits of Pursuing a Double Minor

If done correctly, adding a double major and double minor can provide many benefits for students. By expanding your area of study, you are also expanding your expertise and improving opportunities for future job prospects.

Demonstrating Personal Initiative: Multiple majors and minors shows potential employers that you have balanced a greater workload and can prioritize and manage your time well. This is especially true if you can also show other involvements such as student leadership roles, volunteering or internships, or a part-time job.
Increasing the Value of Your Degree: Receiving a degree with multiple specialties may save you money on additional education down the road.
Greater Career Flexibility: Multiple majors and/or minors expands your career options once you graduate.

Potential Drawbacks of a Double Minor

While a double major and double minor might be a great decision depending on your goals, it may not be the best choice for everyone. More is not always better if your grades suffer or if you are unable to balance the other aspects of your life.

A Lower Grade Point Average or Fewer Extracurriculars: Some employers may not place much additional value in your additional academic credentials, so be sure you can still maintain a good grade point average and have opportunities for extracurriculars that will add value to your resume and your overall college experience.
Less Room in Your Schedule for Electives and Internships: By adding a double major and double minor, you may lose the opportunity to take additional elective courses to explore other interests.
Longer Degree Completion Time: Additional majors or minors will increase your course load. You may have to take classes in the summer to keep up with your academic plan which can increase your total cost of tuition and fees.

Factors to Consider Before Pursuing a Double Minor

Before students choose to double minor, they should ask themselves, "why," Maurantonio says. "If the answer is 'to fill space,' 'ensure I don’t waste any classes,' or 'because I want a job in X field,' then it’s probably not a great idea."

Academic and Career Goals: Determine how the double minor aligns with your academic and career aspirations.
Workload and Time Management: Assess your ability to handle the increased workload and manage your time effectively.
Course Availability and Overlap: Investigate course availability and potential overlap between different academic programs.
Extracurricular Activities and Internships: Consider the impact of a double minor on your ability to participate in extracurricular activities and internships.

When to Declare a Double Minor

Some students end up meeting minor requirements accidentally, as there may be some course overlap between multiple academic programs - otherwise known as double counting. However, there are often restrictions on how many courses can be double counted. Taking classes without a double minor goal in mind "feels ideal," McKnight says. "Then you've not had to carve out all the extra time and energy to do it. You've just sort of been doing it along the way."

For students who are intentional about double minoring, some experts suggest declaring between sophomore and junior year. But most minors can be added up until senior year, "so it doesn't hurt a student to wait," Maurantonio says. "Declaring has a sense of finality that students often feel commits them to a particular course or pathway," she says. "We encourage students to begin with a major, to take courses in other areas of interest (while ensuring they’re completing their requisite foundational courses) and then add from there."

Read also: DML: An In-Depth Explanation

Is a Double Minor Worth the Effort?

While a double minor appears on a student's transcript, experts say it's not the standout point on a resume to an employer. "If a student is looking to land a job in a particular field, a minor typically won’t help significantly," Maurantonio says. "If, however, a student is passionate about a field, a minor could be a way to signal this interest to future employers. It can communicate greater intentionality than a collection of courses that just happen to add up to a minor."

It's unlikely that "a major, minor or double minor is going to dramatically impact a student's long-term job prospects," she adds. "Most important is that the student succeeds in their program of study and can ultimately articulate the skills they've developed throughout their college experience."

Double minors aren't necessary, McKnight says, so every student needs to "carve out their own educational path" and be "clear about their own goals and intentions before deciding to take on this set of additional responsibilities."

Institutional Requirements and Deadlines

Students who desire to obtain a double major must file a double major form in the Office of the Registrar. Students who have double majors which involve two departments or two colleges/schools, must satisfy the major requirements for each department or college/school. An academic minor shall consist of at least 18 credit hours in an area apart from the major concentration of the students’ baccalaureate degree program. A minimum of 12 of the 18 minor credits must be in courses at the 200 level or above. A student must complete at least 24 hours of academic credits before declaring a minor and must have a minimum GPA of 2.00. A student may have no more than two minors regardless of the students major.

Deadlines: Specific deadlines for submitting petitions to add a second major or simultaneous degree vary depending on the institution and the student's college. It is crucial to consult with academic advisors and review the relevant university policies to ensure timely submission. For instance, some institutions require petitions to be submitted prior to the first day of classes in the term in which the student intends to graduate.
Program Plan: Completed petitions must include a program plan that demonstrates the student's ability to finish all degree requirements for both majors and colleges within a specified timeframe, such as nine semesters for freshmen or five semesters for junior transfers.
Residency Requirements: Some colleges may have residency requirements that necessitate submitting petitions at least two terms prior to the intended graduation term.

Seeking Guidance from Academic Advisors

If you are considering adding a double major or minor, be sure to talk to your academic advisor to update your academic plan and find out if you can still graduate on time. You can also talk to other students who pursued a similar academic pathway to learn from their experience.

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At the end of the day, make sure that you are adding a double major or minor for you, not for anyone else! Take time to reflect on your college and career goals to be intentional about your decision.

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