Major Change Support Form
Subheader
Complete this form to:
1. Connect with the right advisor
2. Explore/compare majors
3. Receive answers to your major change questions
You are not alone! Nearly half of recent Ohio State graduates changed their major at least once.
Academic advisors are here to help you explore your options, connect with the right resources, and understand the steps to declare or apply to a new major.
MYTH: Changing majors is likely to extend your academic journey
- 76% of students who change their major once still graduate within four years; compared to 80% of students who never change their major.
With more than 200 undergraduate majors to choose from, you have many possibilities. The resources below can help you compare majors, explore your interests, and find a path that fits your goals.
Meet with an academic advisor
Already decided which major you intend to change to?
You don't have to meet with your current advisor to change majors. You can schedule an appointment directly with the advising office for your desired major. Connect with the right advisor by completing the Major Change Support Form or using OnCourse or searching for their contact information in the directory below.
Want to change you major, but don't know which major to change to?
University Exploration's advisors are experts in assisting Columbus campus students who are undecided or re-deciding on their major.
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OnCourse
In most cases, you can use the “Explore/Declare Major” appointment reason in OnCourse to schedule an appointment with your potential new major's advising unit.
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Academic advisors directory
If the advising office doesn't offer appointments in OnCourse, search for their contact information in this directory.
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University Exploration
Click the link above or call 614-292-0646 to schedule an appointment with University Exploration.
Questions to ask an academic advisor
- Getting into the major: What prerequisites, GPA standards, application steps or deadlines do I need to meet?
- Testing the fit: Which introductory courses would help me decide whether this major is right for me?
- Planning courses: Which courses should I take first, avoid taking together or plan for because they are offered only in certain terms?
- Learning experience: How are courses typically taught, and what should I know about key major courses beyond the catalog descriptions?
- Time and cost: How could this major affect my graduation timeline, tuition, fees or financial aid?
- Experience beyond the classroom: What internships, research or other hands-on opportunities are common, and how can I earn credit for them?
- Career and graduate study: What do graduates commonly do, and how does the program prepare students for careers or further study?
- Other academic options: How could electives, minors, certificates, a second major or a dual degree support my goals?
- Advising checkpoints: When should I meet with an advisor to review degree progress, career goals and graduation planning?
- Special circumstances: Where can I get help with transfer credit or pre-law, pre-health or pre-education planning?
Exploring majors on your own
The University Exploration website is a great place to start your search for a major that fits you well.
Search by:
Criteria to Enter
Search majors by GPA requirements, prerequisites and/or if an application is required.
Buckeye Degree Planner
Use Buckeye Degree Planner to check how your completed classes could apply to the requirements for the major you're considering.
Discovering yourself
Discover your interests
Take General Education (GE) courses to see what interests you. You can use these required credits to explore different majors and areas of study. The GE offering at Ohio State a lot to choose from.
Some of your interests may not be included in your major. Ohio State has other learning options and experiences to help you grow academically and meet your career goals.
Discover careers you may love
The tools below are designed to help you narrow your options, find majors that might be a good fit, and learn how they may impact your time to graduation. If you’re interested in more than one field, talk to your advisor about the possibility of pursuing a second major or dual degree.
- FOCUS 2 Career: This resource is free for all Ohio State students. You can complete self-assessments that can help you connect your interests to majors and careers.
- Handshake: This app lets you build a profile and receive notifications when employers are on campus, register for career fairs, search for internships, and more.
- Career Services: These offices can help with everything to writing a cover letter to comparing different careers you're considering
After declaring a major
When you declare a new major, an advisor will enter it into your My Buckeye Link account. Expect to see your new major or a pre-major there immediately, but your advising report will display your new major next term.
- Your new major or pre-major will be visible Buckeye Degree Planner and in OnCourse the next business day
Your advisor should also be updated the same day you declare the new major.
- If you have multiple advisors, such as minor advisors or a Military and Veterans Services advisor, please double check to ensure that those advisors remain assigned to you in your My Buckeye Link account.