I’m unsure about my major, and it is Day 2 of Orientation. Should I change my major today before my advising appointment tomorrow?

• If you are choosing between multiple major options and/or if you are not confident in your major selection, consider changing to Exploratory. 

  • Since FSU offers over 140 majors, it can be challenging to decide on one at the very start of your college career. The Exploratory program offers support to students by facilitating self-exploration, major exploration, and career development. The Center for Exploratory Students offers this through the SLS1203 Introduction to Academic Major Exploration course, and one-on-one advising meetings focused on exploring conversations and detailed academic advising towards your top majors of interest. Exploratory also provide programming events, including professional panels, academic planning workshops, and major fairs.

  • Choosing Exploratory to begin with can help students eliminate challenges and major decision struggles later in their academic career. The goal is for students to confidently declare their major by the end of their first year.

• If you’re considering Engineering at all, remain an Engineering major or change to Engineering now.
  
  • The required first-semester Engineering Lab is a key indicator of whether the major is a good fit.
• If choosing between two majors with different math tracks, choose the one requiring higher-level math or opt to take the higher-level math.
  
  • It’s easier to move into a less math-intensive major later than to catch up on math courses should you wish to change to a more math-intensive major later.
  • For example, if you're deciding between Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences and Management Information Systems in the College of Business, you can start as a Pre-Business major. Let your Business advisor know that you plan to follow the Calculus with Analytical Geometry track (MAC2311) in lieu of taking MAC2233 – Calculus for Business and Non-Physical Sciences and take STEM major science courses (e.g., BSC2010/L, CHM1045/L, PHY2048C) to satisfy the CoreFSU natural science requirements.
• Pre-med/STEM majors generally receive similar first-year advising, as they share foundational courses:
  
  • College Algebra through Calculus
  • Biological Science I & II with Labs
  • Chemistry I & II with Labs
• Choosing a major within a department (e.g., deciding between the B.S. or B.A. in Computer Science).
  
  • Select the major that interests you the most right now.
  • During your advising session tomorrow, the advisor from the department where your current major is housed will review all available majors within that department.
  • If you realize that a different major in the department better aligns with your interests or goals, let your advisor know. They can ensure you are advised based on the correct major and will initiate a major change request through the myFSU portal after Orientation.

For Advising at Orientation:

Choose the major that most interests you. You’ll have time to explore and adjust after Orientation.

• Summer B students will have 6 weeks on campus to meet with advisors, explore other majors, and adjust fall schedules.
• Fall start students can schedule advising appointments after Orientation to discuss possible major changes.
• Accelerated exam results (e.g., AP/IB/AICE) are not available until early to mid-July. Fall registration reopens for all degree-seeking students in mid-July, so you have plenty of time to consult the FSU Academic Program Guide and meet with additional advisors.

How do I change my major after Orientation?

FTIC students can typically change their major following Orientation. Upper-division transfer students are generally not able to change their major.

To change your major after you have attended Orientation:

1. Review the FSU Academic Program Guide to understand required milestones for your desired major.
   
   1. You must be on map to change your major.
   2. All first-year students are set to Map Term 1 in their first fall semester.
2. Meet with an advisor in that major to assess your eligibility based on current credits and progress.
3. If eligible, the advisor will submit a major change request through the myFSU portal.
4. You must confirm the change by completing the To-Do item in your Student Central homepage within 2 weeks. If not completed, the request is canceled and must be restarted.
5. The request is reviewed by the Dean’s Office and other relevant departments (Athletics, Veterans, International Student Services).
6. Once approved, the major change will be reflected in your myFSU portal, and you'll receive an email confirmation.

How do I declare my double majors or dual degrees?

You cannot officially declare a double major or dual degree until you have:

• Earned at least 52 semester credit hours
• Completed at least one semester at FSU with a 2.0+ cumulative GPA
• Completed English Composition and Quantitative/Logical Thinking general education requirements
• Been certified into your upper-division college

Advising during Orientation:

Your advisor will be from your declared major’s department. Share any plans you have pertaining your minor, double majors, and dual degrees at this meeting. They may recommend relevant courses for your second major and refer you to the second major’s advisor for follow-up after orientation.

• Double Major: Students complete a minimum 120 semester credit hours while studying two majors, for which they receive one bachelor's degree.     
• Dual Degree: Students choosing to declare dual degrees (pursuing two bachelor’s degrees at the same time) must complete all degree requirements, including any specific college requirements (e.g., required minor, foreign language proficiency), for both degree programs with a minimum 150 hours.

If a second major significantly extends your time at FSU, consider whether a combined BS/MS program or future graduate study might better suit your goals.

What’s the “best” pre-law major?

There is no official “pre-law” major at FSU.

• Law schools have no required majors or coursework.

• Choose a major based on your interests, strengths, and career goals.

What matters:

• High GPA
• Strong LSAT score
• Clear writing, research, and analytical thinking skills

Popular majors for pre-law students include:

• Criminology
• English:
  
  • Creative Writing
  • Editing, Writing, & Media
  • Literature, Media, & Culture
• History
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Choose a major that:

• Interests you deeply
• Helps you excel academically
• Develops your writing and reasoning skills

Helpful resources:

• Law School Admissions Council (LSAC): Choosing a Pre-Law Major
• American Bar Association: Preparing for Law School

Advising Tip:

• Attend the Pre-Law at FSU Breakout Session during Orientation.
• Meet with both your academic advisor and a Pre-Law Advisor (prelaw.fsu.edu) to develop a strong plan for law school admissions.

What’s the “best” pre-med or pre-health major?

There is no official “pre-med” or “pre-health” major at FSU.

• Any major is acceptable if you complete the prerequisites for admission.
  
  • Review the admission requirements for any institution that you would like to attend after completing your bachelor’s degree at FSU so you can incorporate those into your academic planning.
• Choose a major based on your interests, strengths, and career goals.

Most popular science-based pre-med majors by academic college:

Anne’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences

• Exercise Physiology
• Human Development & Family Sciences

Arts and Sciences (foreign language proficiency graduation requirement)