How to Declare a Minor (Undergraduates)

If you're an undergraduate and you want to declare a minor, follow the steps below.

Facts about minors

• A minor is a set of courses within a well-defined subject. Examples: African Studies, Philosophy, etc.
• Academic departments and programs may offer minors. The requirements must include at least 28 units, including at least 20 upper-division units.

Declare a minor

1. Make sure you understand the general university requirements for minors.

• Lower-division classes can apply to both your major and your minor.
• You can use two upper-division courses (a maximum of eight units) to fulfill the requirements for a minor that have also been used to satisfy the requirements of a major.
• You cannot use an upper-division course to satisfy the requirements of more than one minor.
• Review Upper Division Course Overlap for additional information.
• Read the Academic Senate policy on minors (section E).

2. Check on specific requirements for the minor you've selected.

• Read your minor's entry in the General Catalog's courses and curricula section.
• If you want to declare a minor that is not in the catalog, check with the department advisor.
• Check with your college advisor to see if your college requires a program of concentration and how that would affect your eligibility for declaring a minor.

3. Be aware of department and college approval requirements.

• Department approval is required for all requests to declare a minor.
• College approval is required if:
  • You have 150 or more total units passed.
  • You are declaring a second minor.
  • You are not in Good Standing.

  4. Complete an Undergraduate Declaration of Minor using the Major/Minor tool.

  • If you need to change a course in your approved minor, contact the department directly.
  • Allow 3 to 5 business days if your request only requires department approval. Allow 6 to 10 business days if your request requires both department and college approval.
  • Your department
  • Your college
  • Office of the Registrar, (858) 534-3144

  Majors/ Minors

  • Undergraduate Majors
  • Selective Majors
  • Declare or Change a Major
  • Change Graduate Major
  • Declare a Double Major
  • Declare a Minor
  • Upper Division Course Overlap