Freshmen: Why You Should Consider Double Majoring

When I was a freshman, I blindly settled on a major, never pondering any of the options available to me until late in the game. Although I am happy to say that I am now pursuing a degree that I’m passionate about, it would have helped me to understand my options at the beginning of the process rather than stressing about it towards the end. To avoid confusion and possible future stress, I am going to go over some of the degree options offered at Florida State University (FSU) as well as their pros and cons for any students who are or will be facing the same problems I was.

Yes, this is especially for you, new Noles.

What is a double major?

When a student decides to double major, they have the choice to specialize in two areas in either related or differing fields without having to get two separate degrees. For example, I am double majoring with a specialization in both creative writing and psychology. Therefore, I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree of Arts and Sciences with a specialization in creative writing and psychology. The choice to double major is popular amongst undergraduates who want to cover multiple skillsets under the requirements of a single degree.

Pros:

1. You get to diversify your specialization without spending more time or money than you normally would pursuing an entire other degree for the same skillset. 
2. Most of the time, a double major will fulfill all built-in minor requirements.
3. You are still completing the required 120 credit hours for a degree.

Cons:

1. It’s only a single degree, not two separate degrees.
2. Some jobs and hiring programs don’t consider dual specialization within a single degree to be more competitive.
3. You have to carefully plan your schedule to make sure that you don’t exceed the maximum credit hour requirements.

What is a dual degree?

When a student decides to pursue a dual degree, they can explore two individual or related areas of specialization while also getting two separate degrees. This can be a great option for students who are looking into a major that requires additional education past a bachelor’s degree. Also, this opportunity is normally utilized by graduate students after receiving a bachelor’s degree first.

Pros:

1. You have an extra degree to fall back on or two degrees, in general.
2. It could save you money applying to a dual degree program rather than getting two separate degrees, possibly in a longer amount of time.
3. This option guarantees diversification within multiple fields.

Cons:

1. This type of program requires two separate admissions processes (one for each degree).
2. It is a 150-credit hour commitment which means more time and money spent.
3. Dual degrees don’t guarantee a higher starting salary.

What is the degree in three program?

When a student applies for the degree in three program, someone may be looking for an experience to get a degree quickly and more cost-effectively compared to the traditional four-year degree route. The explanation is pretty simple. You just get a bachelor’s degree over the course of three years instead of the regular four. You would be taking the same classes to complete the degree; however, it is common that students with AP credits or Dual Enrollment credits will seek this option.

Pros:

1. Cuts the costs of getting a degree down pretty significantly.
2. If you come in with AP, IB or AICE credits, this might be a better option for you.
3. Great for students who want to accelerate into graduate school or the workforce confidently and right out of college.

Cons:

1. You will have a heavier course load during the fall and spring, and you might need to take multiple summer semesters to balance the overall course load.
2. This degree program might conflict with an employed student’s work schedule if not planned correctly.
3. Some graduate programs require a minimum of four years of experiential learning in order to apply.

Now that you’ve considered the options, it is time to choose the right path for you. Although not all of these options need decisions right away, it is best to consider them ahead of time and maybe even speak to an advisor to learn how this applies to you! I believe double majoring is the best option for undergrads and incoming freshmen because of the flexibility and relaxed commitment compared to other programs offered here at FSU.

The great thing about being a freshman is that you normally declare a secondary major later after you’ve had a minimum of 52 credit hours in your primary major and have the paperwork settled with your upper-division college. So, don’t worry. Focus on your passions and go from there because you’ve got time on your side.

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• academics
• double major
• freshman
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