Can You Double Major?

Are you undecided about what the best college major would be for you? Are you wondering if you can double major?  If you can answer yes to either of these questions, then you are in the right place. There are several different double major combinations you can make as well as several benefits to double majoring. We will take you through several of those.

However, that’s not all we will reveal to you. We will share how to manage a double major and let you know if it is worth it. Double majoring can have a great benefit to your career though it may be challenging to keep up.

No matter where you are in your education, We will present you with an abundance of information to help you make a final decision about if you should double significant or rather consider a minor. All you have to do is keep reading for more info.

What Does it Mean to Have a Double Major?

Having a double major is no small task. It is something that takes time, commitment, and dedication. So what does having a double significant mean? When you have a double major, you are following two different sets of the curriculum to achieve your goal of graduation. These curriculums may be similar or can be extremely diverse depending on what your interests are. Individuals who double major, however, are not receiving two degrees. They are, in fact, only receiving one degree with dual concentrations rather than two separate degrees. Individuals will need to enter into a dual degree program rather than a double major to receive two different degrees.

Before you think about taking on the challenging task of double majoring, you will need to assess the pros and cons to determine if it is worth it for you. Though it may seem like a great idea, it is not something that should be taken lightly.

What are the Benefits of a Double Major?

Now that you know what a double major is, it is essential to understand the benefits of completing a double major on you and your life. There are also several double major combinations that you can make to ensure that your degrees can work in tandem. Take a look at the list below to see a few benefits of the extra work.

• Large Career Potential – Double majoring gives you the ability to be marketable within a variety of industries. Studying two majors gives you an edge over the competition and allows you to learn skills you typically wouldn’t have. You become not only marketable in the fields you are studying, but through your overlap, you gain an increased skill set that could potentially open you up to other industries as well. Double majoring also shows employers that you are hardworking and capable of working under pressure, as it is known that double majoring is no easy feat.
• Diverse Skill Set – One significant benefit to double majoring is that you allow yourself to have a diverse range of skills. Majors are made up of an abundance of classes and electives, which may or may not be a part of the day-to-day activities of your major. Doing a double major allows you to broaden your horizons and touch areas you usually would not have. For example, if you are someone majoring in Computer Science, you may never take a marketing course. However, if your second major is business, you gain exposure to a whole realm of classes that you may not have had exposure to. Yet, the skills you learn in these classes can aid you in working with clients in the future in technology.
• Increased Earning Potential – If you are focused on monetary gain, a double major may be your best friend. It can heavily increase your earning potential and make you far more marketable than your peers. If you can justify your decision to a potential employer and explain the benefits that it will have on them. You are likely to heavily increase your earnings potential.
• Networking with peers – Another great benefit to double majoring is creating a more extensive network of peers, friends, and even potential colleagues. When you leave college, you will likely have amassed a large contact sheet of individuals with who you can look to for guidance, aid, employment, or even collaboration. Double majoring only further broadens the list of individuals who are available to you and vice versa.

These are only a handful of the benefits that you will see when attempting to double major. It may also be beneficial to look into majors that complement each other, which can still allow you to graduate within the standard of four years. Regardless of whether you choose to double major or not, having the pros and cons, information can be very beneficial.

What are Good Double Major Combinations?

The combinations that you can make to double major in are endless. However, some double major combinations can be more beneficial than others. If you are an art major, doubling in computer science will not affect your art career.  However, computer science and business administration will often complement each other well. The list below provides you with common combinations that you can utilize when looking for a double major. These combinations will allow for overlap in course load and can potentially allow you the flexibility to graduate within four years. We know money doesn’t grow on trees. The longer you stay in, the more money it will ultimately cost you.

Psychology and Criminal Justice

• Finance and Accounting
• Political Science and Philosophy
• Business Management and Economics
• Communications and Marketing
• Marketing and Computer Integrated Systems/Computer Science
• Business Administration and Finance

These are only a few combinations you can utilize to cultivate an educational experience that has a variety of overlap and would be conducive to a prosperous life after college.

Is It Difficult to Double Major?

The short answer to this question is a resounding yes. If anyone tells you that double majoring is easy, they are highly mistaken. Embarking on this journey will likely be tiring but overall rewarding. If you are looking for why you should not double major, we have compiled a few of the most common cons. However, in taking this list in, it is essential to remember that everything doesn’t work for everybody, and the most critical skill you can have during this time is adaptation.

• Increased workload – With taking on two majors, you are also taking on double the workload. The average student has one major. Therefore it is almost like you are taking on the work of two students. You will need to be prepared mentally for this daunting task. This can mean planning out what assignments may take precedence, keeping a calendar of everything that you have coming, and even setting reminders for when things are due on your phone. The same can be done when you are thinking about how to prepare for exams.  Divide your attention, time, and workload by priority.
• Missing out on college activities – Fear of missing out is a real thing and something that many college students who double major may experience. Due to your increased workload or a heavy number of courses, you may not be able to attend every party, every homecoming event, or even go out for drinks as much as your friends. However, you will need to be okay with that to do well. Some sacrifices will need to be made for your continued success.
• Later graduation date – Having a later graduation date is a reality behind double majoring. If you can cram all of your courses in and still manage to graduate within four years, you are a real champion. Most students who double significant generally take five years to graduate.
• Inability to focus on one thing – Double majoring is not for the faint at heart. Where others may prevail, you may have a hard time focusing—taking the road of a double major means that you are ultimately splitting your time and concentration between two potentially very different areas. You will need to find ways to not only manage time but manage stress and burnout as well.
• Increased Tuition Cost – One important thing to remember is that college is not free. You are likely aware of this; however, the more courses you add, the higher your tuition can be, depending on how you manage your degree. Taking a double major is hard, and, in all honesty, finishing in 4 years may be a small feat. Many students are likely to finish in a prolonged period of time. This can be one semester or two years after their desired date. Regardless of when that happens, you will likely incur extra costs. You should be prepared for when or if that happens.

How to Manage a Double Major: 5 Tips

Getting through this rough period in your educational career is all about how you show up for yourself. This means getting in tune with schedules, understanding how you learn best, and making the needed changes to ensure that the tasks you complete are conducive to your success. Use these tips to ensure that you are not only working harder but working smarter. Managing both degrees is essential to ensuring that you graduate within the allotted amount of time.

• Stay connected with advisors and counselors – One vital resource during your education will be your advisors. Your advisors will be able to not only help you find comparable courses but keep you on the right track to success. If your majors are not related, it is likely that you will have two advisors. You should make it a point to keep up with both of these individuals.
• Pick majors that complement each other – Picking majors that complement each other will help drastically manage your workload. When your majors are similar, there is a big chance that the courses you will need to take will overlap. Therefore filling a requirement with a course for one major can potentially be an elective or required course for your other.
• Make a plan – You must go into this with a plan. Make sure you have really analyzed how long your double major will take and what you need to do each year to stay on pace. You also may need to plan regularly. This means using a planner, calendar, or system for managing tests, exams, or even study time. Staying organized and following through with your plan will ensure that you are on track for graduation.
• Do a minor instead – If you feel that doing a double major is too hard, don’t worry; you have other options. Instead of doing a double major, you may want the option to have a major and a minor instead. This allows you to have a main focus, your major, which would drive the majority of your curriculum and a minor. Your minor is often used as a complement to your major. This would also serve the purpose of making you attractive to companies when looking for employment.
• Keep track of your degree requirements – You must keep track of degree requirements. This means keeping up with the number of credits you need in specific areas, understanding your grade requirements for certain subjects, and staying on top of any additional projects that may need to be completed.

Is Double Majoring Worth It?

This is a great question and one that should be personal. Think about why you are going for a double major. Are you trying to impress your parents? Are you passionate about both majors? Will obtaining both majors allow you to progress in your chosen career path?

All of these are valid questions that you must ask yourself. They will also help you determine if you are going after the degree for the right reasons. Double majors in college are not for the weak. If you are ambitious and have a clear vision for what you want to accomplish, go for it.

If you are unsure about what majors to choose, several double significant combinations will allow you to select majors which complement each other. However, there are a lot of things to consider when thinking of double majoring. Are you a student who gets flustered quickly or who doesn’t do well under pressure? Are you capable of telling your peers no and missing several parties to study? Depending on the answers to these questions, think about what decision it would make the most sense to make for you.

Wrapping Things Up: Can You Double Major?

Overall, you most certainly can double major if it is your heart’s desire. However, it will take mass amounts of work and time management skills to ensure that you make it to the graduation stage. There are several upsides to double majoring. These include things like higher earning potential and a competitive advantage in the workforce.

However, there are several potential downsides to double majoring. You may feel burned out or overwhelmed at times, but if you choose the right majors, your time will be worth it. By choosing majors that complement each other, you are upping your advantage in the workplace and future endeavors.

So yes, you can double major; however, to determine if it is really for you, you will need to assess your reasons for doing so. You will then need to decide what you are passionate about and do the work required for the outcome you desire.