Navigating the Double Major at UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide

UCLA offers a vibrant academic environment where students can explore diverse interests and tailor their education to meet their unique goals. One way students achieve this is by pursuing a double major, which allows them to delve into two distinct fields of study simultaneously. This article provides a comprehensive overview of double majoring at UCLA, covering requirements, feasibility, application processes, and factors to consider.

Is a Double Major Feasible at UCLA?

The feasibility of a double major at UCLA hinges on several factors, primarily the specific majors involved and the student's ability to manage a demanding workload. While it's certainly possible, it requires careful planning, dedication, and effective time management.

The combination of majors plays a significant role. For instance, combining two majors within the humanities might be more manageable than pairing a science-heavy major like Mechanical Engineering with a more flexible major like Art History. This is due to differences in course expectations, prerequisites, and potential scheduling conflicts.

Factors Affecting Feasibility

Course Requirements and Prerequisites: Each major has its own set of required courses and prerequisites. Successfully navigating a double major means meeting all these requirements for both fields of study.
Scheduling Conflicts: Coordinating schedules between two different departments can be challenging, especially if certain courses are only offered at specific times.
Workload: Double majoring inevitably increases the academic workload. Students must be prepared to handle a heavier course load and dedicate sufficient time to each major.
Unit Cap: UCLA has a maximum unit count (216 units) allowable for a bachelor's degree. High-unit majors, especially in the arts, can make it challenging to stay within this limit when pursuing a double major.

Declaring a Double Major

Current UCLA students do not need to reapply to UCLA formally to double major. However, the process involves several steps and careful coordination with academic advisors.

Steps to Declare a Double Major

Declare a Primary Major: Students typically declare their primary major towards the end of their sophomore year.
Petition for a Secondary Major: After declaring the primary major, students must file a petition to declare the secondary major.
Meet Departmental Requirements: Each department has its own requirements for declaring a major, such as specific prerequisite courses or a minimum GPA. Students must meet the standards for both departments.
Supplemental Application (School of Music): The School of Music requires all students to complete a supplemental application, due in early December. This applies to students adding a major at the School of Music or switching to one of their majors. The supplemental application requirements can be found on the School of Music's website.
Audition/Interview (School of Music): After the application is reviewed, students may be invited to audition or interview for the program.

Important Considerations for Prospective Double Majors

Early Planning: Start planning as early as possible. Frequent communication with academic advisors in both departments is crucial. They can help map out a course plan to ensure that all requirements are met.
Alternate Plans: If one or both intended majors are highly competitive, consider alternate plans in case admission to the double major is not possible.
Balance: Double majoring will increase the academic workload, so conscientiously manage time and stress levels. Build in time for rest, recreation, and social activities outside of academics.

Double Major in the Arts

Double majoring in the arts and another non-arts major is generally possible at UCLA. However, there are specific considerations for students interested in combining two arts majors or pursuing an arts major alongside a field in the College of Letters and Science or the School of Engineering.

Arts and Non-Arts Majors

Students can apply to UCLA with a major in the College of Letters and Science, or the Samueli School of Engineering and then make an appointment with a UCLA Arts department counselor to see about adding a double major in a UCLA Arts area. A creative supplement might be required at that time.

Double Majoring in Two Arts Areas

Double majoring in two arts areas presents unique challenges:

Scheduling: Arts studios often have long hours, reducing flexibility in arranging course schedules.
Attendance: Arts studios require attendance, making it difficult to make up missed work.
Homework: Studio classes typically require 5-10 hours of work outside of class per week.
Finals: Arts majors often have finals a week earlier than UCLA's regular finals week.
Exceeding Unit Count: Arts majors are high unit count majors, and some combinations may exceed the allowable unit count.

Despite these challenges, double majoring in two arts areas is not impossible. Students who have completed a good number of GE credits in high school, were admitted to UCLA as first-years, and can execute ideas quickly and efficiently may find it more feasible.

Individual Field of Concentration (IFC) B.A. in Arts and Architecture

For students with highly specific interests that cannot be accommodated within an existing UCLA major, the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture offers an Individual Field of Concentration (IFC) B.A. This option is available to students who have already been admitted to UCLA and have completed at least 45 UCLA units with a 3.4+ GPA.

The IFC allows students to design their own major with faculty guidance and sponsorship. Proposals must define the purpose of the major, explain why it cannot be accommodated within an existing UCLA major, and relate it to the student's academic and career goals. The IDM should not be designed as a shortcut to graduation or to circumvent conventional major requirements.

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An IFC requires a title that reflects the central theme of the major, as well as a final paper or project that synthesizes and integrates a principal theme or themes common to the courses comprising the major.

Minors in the School of Music

For students who want to enhance their major with a focused study in music, the UCLA School of Music offers several minors:

Ethnomusicology Minor

The Ethnomusicology minor is designed for students interested in the study of world music and performance. It requires a sequence of two quarters of the same lower-division performance course (ETHNMUS 91A-91Z), along with six academic courses. These include a lower-division course in Ethnomusicology (5 or M25), a foundational course in Ethnomusicology, ETHNMUS 101, and three upper-division electives in Ethnomusicology. Three upper-division performance courses (selected from 161A-161Z) are also required.

Music Industry Minor

The Music Industry Minor prepares students for employment in the music industry. It includes an introductory course in the fundamentals of music business and a culminating internship supervised by the Center for Community Engagement. Students then choose 6-7 courses from the expansive music industry curriculum at UCLA, including courses in songwriting and production, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, music supervision, forensic musicology, music and data science, and the global music industry. Minors may also elect courses that emphasize social justice and activism.

Musicology Minor

The Musicology minor is designed for students who seek to combine the humanistic study of music with a major concentration in another area. It requires seven academic courses, including two lower division or GE courses in Musicology, two upper division courses in Musicology, and three additional courses chosen from selected upper division offerings in Ethnomusicology, Music, and Musicology. There is no performance requirement for the Musicology minor.

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Applying for a Minor

Applications for all minors are opened on Monday of Week 1 in Fall and Spring quarter and close promptly at 5pm on Friday of Week 4. To prepare for the application, students should complete a proposed degree plan that incorporates all required classes for the prospective minor with their current plan of study for their major.

Additional Considerations

Student-Athletes: While not explicitly prohibited, it is rare for student-athletes to major in the arts due to the significant time commitment involved for both athletics and arts majors.
UCLA Arts Classroom Visits: UCLA Arts does not facilitate classroom visits or meetings with current faculty and students due to resource constraints and the intimate nature of classes. However, prospective students can research faculty interests online, review learning outcomes and class descriptions in the UCLA General Catalog, and look up alumni to learn about their career paths.

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