Wondering if a minor is right for you? Learn what it takes to earn one and how to make it work with your degree plan.

What is a minor?

When we talk about degree plans you'll often hear these two terms: majors and minors.

Major: A major is the primary academic discipline you have chosen to specialize in. A major usually requires between 30 to 70+ major specific credits, depending on the major. To graduate with your undergraduate degree you will need to complete your major, liberal education, college and university requirements (at least 120 to 125 total required minimum credits, depending on the major). Your four year plans only includes these requirements.

Minor: A minor is an optional secondary and smaller concentration of courses in another academic discipline. Each minor has it's own requirements but in general they often require around 15 to 25 minor specific credits or roughly 5 to 8 classes. Minors that you have earned will be notated on your transcript.

A minor allows you to explore an additional subject area in addition to your major, either to complement your major (like a computer science major minoring in management) or simply to pursue a passion (like a chemistry major minoring in French studies). 

A minor is optional and not required to graduate

A minor is an entirely optional, additional academic program that you could choose to take on. That distinction matters because CSE college coursework is already rigorous. Completing a minor could mean committing to additional requirements and classes on top of what can be an already demanding schedule.

How minors fit into your schedule: Overlap vs no overlap

Because a minor adds extra requirements and classes to your workload, how easily it fits into your graduation plan depends heavily on the subject you pick.

High overlap with major course requirements

Some minors share several required courses with certain majors and can be easier to fit into your schedule.

Example: An electrical engineering major who decides to minor in astrophysics.

Because electrical engineering degrees already require high levels of physics, with carefully planning you can select many electrical engineering course options and technical electives that will count towards both the electrical engineering major and the astrophysics minor. When course requirements for the major and minor overlap, you may only need to take a couple of extra classes to earn the minor.

Little to few overlap with major course requirements

If you choose a minor in a completely different discipline from your major, there will likely be little to few overlapping classes.

Example: A mechanical engineering major minoring in Spanish studies.

None of the engineering classes will count towards a Spanish studies minor. With careful planning some liberal education requirements may overlap with the minor.

In cases where there is little to few overlapping courses with your major, you must complete all of the minor's remaining required courses in addition to your full major and liberal education requirements. Depending on the major and minor, this could mean taking heavy course loads with more classes during the semester, potentially taking summer courses, or taking additional time beyond four years to complete both programs.

Other ways to learn and explore interests

Taking extra classes is not the only way to pick up skills, learn new ideas, or explore your interests. If you want to gain knowledge or experience in a secondary field without taking on extra coursework, look into student clubs, professional organizations, research labs, learning abroad, or volunteering.

Participating in extracurriculars lets you:

• Gain practical skills: Build leadership, project management, communication, and technical skills.
• Build a professional network: Connect with peers and professionals who share your interests outside of the classroom.
• Explore interests with more flexibility: You can pick activities with the amount of commitment that works with your class schedule.
• Build a balanced resume: Getting involved outside of the classroom helps you build a more balanced resume that includes both classroom learning and practical experience.

Should you declare a minor?

Before committing to a minor, ask yourself three key questions:

1. Why do I want it? Are you passionate about this subject and learning more would be personally fulfilling? Do you want to gain a specific knowledge base or a specific skill?
2. Do I have room in my schedule? Look at your major's four year plan and the APAS reports for both your major and minor. Did you transfer in college credit that opened up more space or do you have any room for open electives in your four year plan? Do courses between the major and minor overlap? Will adding a minor require extending your graduation timeline or taking more classes each semester? Would the additional coursework cut into time you could use for other important experiences like student groups, research, or other extra-curricular involvement?
3. Will it compromise my GPA or my well-being? If you have to take additional classes will adding to your workload impact your ability to be successful in your major classes? Your well-being and mental health are also far more important than an extra line on your transcript.

A minor can be a great way to customize your college education and learn more about a second academic discipline. Just remember that it is an extra academic program. Balance is key: Make sure you have time in your schedule to explore student organizations, research, and real-world experiences outside of the classroom so you graduate with both strong grades and a well-rounded resume!

Next Steps

Explore: Review your department's webpage for your major to see what information they have about complimentary minors for your major. View all minors offered at the University of Minnesota on CAPE's webpage. Consider taking a class required for the minor to see if it's a good fit.

Contact: Each minor will have a specialized coordinator, advisor, or advising team you can reach out to with questions about the minor, it's requirements, and how to declare the minor. You can find the contact information for the minor on the minor's webpage. Let your CSE college advisor or college departmental advisor know you are thinking about adding a minor. Wondering what employers actually think about a minor? Schedule an appointment with our CSE Career Services.

Consider: You do not have to decide immediately. Take time to figure out what experiences will mean the most to you during your college years. Because a minor is optional and not required for your degree, it is also completely okay to change your mind later and drop a declared minor if your plans shift.